The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has today (Monday 19th May) signed a ten-year sound broadcasting contract with Raidió Chiarraí Teoranta, trading as Radio Kerry, to continue to provide a local, broad-format radio service for listeners in County Kerry.
Speaking at the contract signing, the Chairperson of the BAI, Bob Collins said “the BAI is very pleased to sign this contract with Radio Kerry. The service has sustained a strong connection with its audience since it first came on air and is currently the third most listened-to local radio station in Ireland. Over the term of its new contract, Radio Kerry has committed to preserving and promoting the heritage, culture and contemporary values that are unique to the county. I wish the station continued success over the term of the licence.”
The BAI was represented at the contract signing by the Chairperson, Bob Collins and Michael O’Keeffe, Chief Executive. The signatories for Radio Kerry were Tim O’Keeffe, Chairperson and Frank Lewis, Secretary. Paul Bryne, CEO and Fiona Stack, General Manager, also attended the contract signing. The effective date of the new contract is 10th July 2014.
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Catherine Heaney/Tony Heffernan
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Editor’s Note:
In accordance with the BAI’s Licensing Plan 2012-2013, published in June 2012, the BAI sought applications for 22[1] contracts for the provision of 24 commercial radio stations throughout the country. For 17 of the contracts, only the existing service provider 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 Radio Kerry is the 16th 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 have taken place for all three franchise areas. Decisions in respect of these competitive licensing processes will be announced via the BAI web-site in the coming months.
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[1] Four services are operated under two contracts; 1) Cork City & County, (Corks 96FM/C103) and 2) Cos. Cavan & Monaghan and Cos. Longford, Roscommon & Sth. Leitrim, (Shannonside/Northern Sound.)