Commercial Radio Licensing – Fast-track Process Update

The Contract Awards Committee of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (26.09.19) announced its intention to invoke a fast-track licensing process for a sound broadcasting service, in accordance with section 67 (3) of the Broadcasting Act 2009.

The fast-track process may be invoked by the Committee when the only expression of interest made in good faith for the sound broadcasting service concerned is from the incumbent contractor.

In April 2019, the BAI issued a call for expressions of interest for a classic rock music-based sound broadcasting service on the FM band, targeting an audience aged 25+ years in Dublin City and County and Commuter Belt. By the closing date of Tuesday, 18th June 2019, one expression of interest in the service had been received. The expression of interest was submitted by Classic Rock Broadcasting Limited, broadcasting as Radio Nova, the incumbent contractor for the service, and was deemed to have been made in good faith.

The BAI has today placed a notification on its website and in the national press, stating its intention to invoke the fast-track licensing process in respect of the above service. Any person, other than the incumbent, may make a submission to the BAI stating their intention to apply for the award of the contract. Such a submission must be accompanied by a fee of €20,000 and received by the BAI by 12 noon on Friday, 25th October 2019. In this regard, a Guide to Submissions and a Statement of Intent Form have been made available on the BAI website, for any interested party.

The Contract Awards Committee will meet to consider any submissions received further to the notification and determine the next phase in the licensing process for the above service.

Further information is available here. 

 

ENDS

Contact: Tony Heffernan / Joanne Ahern, DHR Communications, Tel: 01-4200580 / 087-2399508 / 087-9881837.

Note to Editors
• The contract currently held by Classic Rock Broadcasting Limited and broadcasting as Radio Nova is due to expire on 30th June 2020.