Commercial Radio Licensing: Expressions of Interest Sought

The Contract Awards Committee of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (“the BAI”) has today (Friday, 12thFebruary) placed a public notice in a national newspaper seeking expressions of interest in the provision of three commercial radio services: a National Broad-format Service; a Regional Youth Music-driven Service, serving the south-west of the country; and, a Local Broad-format Service for Limerick City and County.  The process of seeking an expression of interest is undertaken in accordance the requirements of the Broadcasting Act 2009.

In order to assist those interested in making an expression of interest, the BAI has produced a Guide and application form for each radio service. Interested parties are required to submit their expression of interest in electronic format to the BAI.

The ‘expressions of interest’ phase is not part of the application process for a commercial radio service and an expression of interest is not regarded as an application for the sound broadcasting contract in question.  The application process is only commenced when the Contract Awards Committee issues a notice, inviting applications for the relevant radio service.

The closing date for receipt of expressions of interest is 12 noon, Tuesday 12th April 2016.  All expressions of interest received will be made available publicly, following consideration by the BAI.

The Expressions of Interest Notice and associated Guides and Forms can be downloaded here.

-Ends-

Media Queries to:

Catherine Heaney/Tony Heffernan

DHR Communications

01 4200580 / 087 2309835/ 087 2399508

Note to Editors

  • The contract for the National Broad-format Service is currently held by Radio Ireland Limited, broadcasting as Today FM. This contract is scheduled to expire on 16th March 2017.
  • The contract for the Regional Youth Music-driven service is currently held by Spin South West Limited, broadcasting as Spin South West. This contract is scheduled to expire on 28th June 2017.
  • The contract for the Local, Broad-format Service for Limerick City and County is currently held by Treaty Radio Limited, broadcasting as Limerick’s Live 95FM. This contract is due to expire on 23rd October 2017