BAI Signs Radio Contract With KCLR

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has today (Tuesday 15^th April) signed a ten-year sound broadcasting contract with C.K. Broadcasting Limited, trading as KCLR, to continue to provide a local, broad-format radio service for listeners in Counties Carlow and Kilkenny.

Speaking at the contract signing, the Chairperson of the BAI, Bob Collins said “the BAI is delighted to sign the contract with KCLR today.  Over the term of its new contract, KCLR has committed to reflecting and supporting the communities of Kilkenny and Carlow and to remaining responsive to audience needs.  I wish KCLR renewed success over the term of its ten-year contract and I am confident that the station will continue to evolve in order to meet the needs of its audience and the changing media environment.”

The BAI was represented at the contract signing by the Chairperson, Bob Collins and Michael O’Keeffe, Chief Executive.  The signatories for KCLR were Fergus Cronin, Director and John Purcell, Chief Executive and Director, of the radio service.  The effective date of the new contract is 22^nd April 2014.

 

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Editor’s Note:

In accordance with the BAI’s Licensing Plan 2012-2013, published in June 2012, the BAI has sought applications for 22[1] contracts for the provision of 24 commercial radio stations throughout the country.  For 17 of the contracts, only the Incumbent expressed an interest in the provision of the service and consequently 19 applications were processed through the fast-track application process.  Today’s contract signing with KCLR is the 15^th of 17 contracts to be signed.

The remaining five services were subject to a competitive licensing process.  A competitive licensing process is implemented where more than one expression of interest is received for the provision of a service.  In two of the competitive processes; the south-east regional youth service and the local broad format service for Laois/Offaly/Westmeath, only one application was received for the respective franchise areas.  These applications have been assessed by the Contract Awards Committee and recommendations on the award of the licences have been made to, and ratified by, the Authority.  Contract negotiations are currently underway with both parties.

More than one application was received for the remaining three services and the Contract Awards Committee determined that, in all three cases, additional information/clarification was required.  Oral presentations recently took place for the North Donegal and Dublin City and County franchise areas, while a further oral presentation will take place for the Sligo/North Leitrim/South Donegal franchise area in late April.  Decisions in respect of these competitive licensing processes will be announced via the BAI web-site in the coming months.

 

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