The Contract Awards Committee of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (22.09.22) announced its intention to invoke a fast-track application process for the award of sound broadcasting contracts for the following sound broadcasting services, in accordance with section 67(3) of the Broadcasting Act 2009.
Munster
- Waterford City and County: Broad-format, local radio service
The Contract, currently held by South East Broadcasting Company Limited and broadcasting as WLR FM, is due to expire on 7 September 2023.
- County Clare: Broad-format, local radio service
The Contract, currently held by Clare Community Radio Holdings Plc and broadcasting as Clare FM, is due to expire on 9 September 2023.
- County Tipperary: Broad-format, local radio service
The Contract, currently held by County Tipperary Radio Limited and broadcasting as Tipp FM, is due to expire on 19 November 2023.
- Cork City and County: Music driven, local radio service
The Contract, currently held by Siteridge Limited and broadcasting as Red FM, is due to expire on 15 January 2024.
Connaught-Ulster
- County Mayo: Broad-format, local radio service
The Contract, currently held by County Mayo Radio Limited and broadcasting as Midwest Radio, is due to expire on 23 July 2023.
- Galway City and County: Broad-format, local radio service
The Contract, currently held by Western Community Broadcasting Services Limited and broadcasting as Galway Bay FM, is due to expire on 17 August 2023.
- Counties Cavan, Monaghan, Longford, Roscommon and South Leitrim: two services to be operated under a single contract, as follows:
1. Counties Cavan and Monaghan: Broad-format, local radio service
2. Counties Longford, Roscommon and South Leitrim: Broad-format, local radio service
The Contract, currently held by Midland Radio Group Limited and broadcasting as Shannonside/Northern Sound, is due to expire on 15 October 2023.
Leinster, excluding Dublin City and County
- Counties Louth and Meath: Broad-format, local radio service
The Contract, currently held by Independent Broadcasting Corporation Limited and broadcasting as LMFM, is due to expire on 27 August 2023.
- County Wexford: Broad-format, local radio service
The Contract, currently held by S.E.R.B Limited* and broadcasting as South East Radio, is due to expire on 15 October 2023.
- County Wicklow: Broad-format, local radio service
The Contract, currently held by East Coast Radio Limited and broadcasting as East Coast FM, is due to expire on 25 October 2023.
- County Kildare: Broad-format, local radio service
The Contract, currently held by Country Kildare FM Radio Limited and broadcasting as KFM, is due to expire on 16 January 2024.
Dublin City and County
- Dublin City and County: Music-driven service (1): Target Audience 15–34-year-olds
The Contract, currently held by Capital Radio Productions Limited and broadcasting as FM104, is due to expire on 30 October 2023.
- Dublin City and County: Music driven service (2): Target Audience 25–44-year-olds
The Contract, currently held by Bauer Media Audio Ireland Ltd* and broadcasting as 98FM, is due to expire on 31 October 2023.
The Contract Awards Committee may invoke the fast-track process when the only expression of interest made in good faith for the sound broadcasting service concerned is from the incumbent contractor. Following a public call for expressions of interest on 30th June 2022, the Committee deemed those conditions to have been met for each of the above-listed broadcasting services and decided to invoke the fast-track process for each service.
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 services. Any person, other than the incumbent, may make a submission to the BAI stating their intention to apply for the award of the contracts. Such a statements of intent must be accompanied by a deposit of €20,000 for each sound broadcasting contract.
The BAI has prepared a Guide for Statements of Intent and a Statement of Intent Form for interested parties to make their submissions and these are available on the BAI’s website. Completed Statement of Intent Forms and the required deposit must be submitted and received by the BAI by 12 noon on 20th October 2022.
Further information is available here.
ENDS
Contact: Joanne Ahern, DHR Communications, Tel: 01-4200580 / 087-9881837.
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* Correction: The public notice calling for expressions of interest on 30th June 2022 incorrectly listed Corrmuda Limited as the current holder of the contract for South East Radio and Radio Two Thousand Limited as the current holder of the contract for 98FM. The current holder of the contract for South East Radio is S.E.R.B. Radio Limited and for 98FM is Bauer Media Audio Ireland Limited.