The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (04.09.19) announced two licensing updates; one for commercial radio and one for community radio.
Commercial Radio Licensing – Fast-Track process
On the 31st July 2019, the Contract Awards Committee of the BAI announced its intention to invoke the fast-track licensing process for the following sound broadcasting contract:
A quasi-national broad-format Christian and religious sound broadcasting service on the AM and FM bands, targeting an audience aged 15+ years
A public notification was placed in the national press and on the BAI website. The contract, currently held by Spirit Radio Limited and broadcasting as Spirit Radio, is due to expire on 31st December 2020.
The public notification stated that any person, other than the incumbent, interested in providing the named sound broadcasting service for the specified franchise area was required to submit in writing that he/she wished to apply for the award of the contract (“Statement of Intent”), and to deposit the sum of €25,000.00 with the BAI by the stated closing date. The closing dates for the receipt of such submissions was 29th August 2019.
No Statements of Intent were received by the BAI by the specified closing date.
Community Radio Licensing – Application Received
The BAI has also announced the receipt of one application for a community radio service, serving the areas of Athlone and its environs, a service advertised by the BAI last May.
The application was submitted by Athlone Community Radio Company Limited by Guarantee (t/a Athlone Community Radio). Athlone Community Radio currently operates under a 10-year community sound broadcasting contract that is due to expire on the 28th November 2020.
The BAI will now review the application to ensure that all the information requested in the Guide to Submissions has been received and that the application is valid. On completion of this review, the application will be made publicly available.
ENDS