[cma-l] [Fwd: Let Digital Britain benefit all radio - says Scott Taunton, UTV.]

[Karl Hartland]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Let Digital Britain benefit all radio - says Scott Taunton, UTV.
Date: 	Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:08:15 +0000
From: 	Radio Today <admin at radiotoday.co.uk>
Reply-To: 	Radio Today <admin at radiotoday.co.uk>
To: 	hartland.karl at 209radio.co.uk



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*Let Digital Britain benefit all radio - says Scott Taunton, UTV.*
*Our special guest this week on Seven Days in Radio is Scott Taunton, 
managing director, UTV Media. *

This week, in partnership with William Rogers of UKRD, I will be writing 
to colleagues across the radio industry. Our intention is to seek 
political support for Early Day Motion 436 which has been lodged in the 
House of Commons by Labour MP John Grogan. This asserts that all 
stations must be part of radio’s future, and that those which are most 
closely connected to their local communities must not be treated as a 
second-class tier as part of the current ‘digital upgrade’ proposals. In 
fact, there are currently over 120 stations without a clear and viable 
pathway to digital.

Meanwhile, two Liberal Democrat Peers have tabled amendments to the 
radio clauses of the Digital Economy Bill. Their amendments – which will 
be debated in January – will prompt Parliamentary discussion about what 
targets should be hit before a switchover date is set. They should also 
lead to scrutiny of the Government proposal to grant Classic FM, 
Absolute Radio and talkSPORT free rollovers of their licences as part of 
the industry-wide ‘drive to digital’.

We are urging anyone who cares about local radio to ask their local MPs 
to do two things. Firstly, and most importantly, to add their signatures 
to Early Day Motion 436. And secondly, to echo the efforts of Lord 
Clement-Jones and Lord Razzall in ensuring that there is a proper debate 
on the radio switchover clauses when the Bill reaches the House of Commons.

You can view Early Day Motion 436 here 
<http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=40004&SESSION=903>.

To find out how to contact your MP in order to secure their backing, you 
can visit this website findyourmp.parliament.uk 
<http://findyourmp.parliament.uk>.

What each of these developments signals is the growing concern amongst 
Parliamentarians that the Government’s 2015 switchover proposal has not 
been properly thought out, or that its full implications have been 
clouded by the industry’s interest in incentives such as securing 
extensions to national licences.

Some measures in the Digital Economy Bill currently before the House of 
Lords genuinely benefit the whole industry, such as new flexibility for 
local stations to co-locate their operations. These are the result of 
invaluable lobbying by RadioCentre over recent years.

But the two-tier transmission plan, whereby stations without a viable 
digital pathway have to remain on FM, emphasises the future success of 
larger local, regional and national stations at the expense of 
locally-focused stations. It has arisen due to a laudable desire to 
prosper commercial radio's national brands and networks, but in doing so 
shifts the focus away from commercial radio's local footprints. And it 
has led to licensing proposals which we believe unfairly favour larger 
stations – such as Classic FM.

So why does all this matter?

Well because if it passes in its current form in a couple of months 
time, the Digital Economy Bill will gift powers to the Government to set 
a 2015 switchover in motion – without first ensuring that it is in the 
best interests of all radio listeners and all local radio stations. For 
stations without viable digital pathways, there are not even any licence 
extensions to tide us over until we gain further certainty (Ofcom will 
only be able to readvertise licences as they expire, as at present). 
Instead, we face the prospect of competing in an ever-decreasing pool of 
analogue listening as larger operators 'drive to digital'.

Many industry colleagues have told us they doubt that the 2015 timetable 
is achievable, given disappointing levels of DAB takeup since inception. 
But in the House of Lords two weeks ago, Lord Mandelson restated the 
government's determination to complete the migration 'by the end of 2015'.

It is in this context that we are urging colleagues in local radio to 
email, write or pick up the phone to their local MPs. We will also be 
writing directly to Andrew Harrison at RadioCentre and to the new CEO of 
Digital Radio UK, Ford Ennals, to ask them for their support. Our hope 
is that they will recognise this as an opportunity to ensure that the 
exciting future promised by Digital Britain can benefit all radio - and 
most importantly - all radio listeners.

Maybe delivering digital pathways for all local commercial stations will 
mean the Government has to look again at introducing DAB+, which can 
offer three times more capacity than DAB. Yes, there are 10m DAB sets 
now in circulation, but that means that with 120m analogue sets out 
there (according to RAJAR), 90% of the UK's radios still need 
converting. Or maybe there's another option – we don't mind as long as 
it ensures we end up with a properly considered, inclusive and realistic 
plan for radio’s future.

This is radio’s chance to move forward together under a vision for the 
future that we can all support. Big or small, we all have a local MP, 
which means we can all make a difference.

Thank you for your support. And thank you for listening.
*Seven Days of radio news:* (also on Twitter 
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*Glasgow radio presenter dies <http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5460>*
A radio presenter on one of Glasgow's community radio stations has been 
found dead in her home.Police say Nasim Jamil, an agony aunt for Awaz 
FM, was murdered after suffering horrific injuries in a violent attack.

*Lifetime Award for Sir Terry <http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5459>*
BBC Radio 2 breakfast presenter Sir Terry Wogan has been given a 
lifetime achievement award for radio broadcasting.Terry, who was 
introduced to the Radio Academy's Hall of Fame earlier in the week, was 
presented with the award during the live British Comedy Awards on ITV1.

*Wogan ready to say goodbye <http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5458>*
Sir Terry Wogan has told Jonathan Ross that he realises it’s time to 
leave his long standing role as presenter of the BBC Radio 2 breakfast 
show. Speaking on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, Sir Terry said: "My 
heart says stay, my head says go. There's never a good time to go but 
there's a right time to go."

*Passion for the Planet splits <http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5457>*
Digital station Passion for the Planet has teamed up with PURE to 
promote a new range of digital and internet connected radios.The digital 
radio manufacturer will promote Passion's upcoming split programming 
where every two out of every five hours the interviews on DAB and Online 
are different.

*Festive guests for BBC Radio 4 
<http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5455>*
Six guest editors will take the helm of the Today programme on BBC Radio 
4 between Christmas and New Year.The guests are Martin Rees, David 
Hockney, Tony Adams, PD James, Robert Wyatt and Shirley Williams.

*Radio 1’s Christmas cracker <http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5454>*
BBC Radio 1 is offering listeners the chance to broadcast for fifteen 
minutes on the network on Christmas Day in their Tinsel Takeover 
competition.Twenty-four listeners will get the chance to pre-record 
their segment, selecting a track from the station’s playlist, a festive 
tune and a song of their choice.

*Third of population listen online 
<http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5453>*
The fifth survey of the internet radio audience conducted by RAJAR has 
revealed that one third of the UK’s adult population has listened to 
radio online.The survey, based on almost a thousand respondents, reveals 
that 17.4 million people claim to listen online, that’s up from 16.9 
million in May this year.

*Uxbridge DAB transmitter off <http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5452>*
The Digital One DAB transmitter covering Uxbridge has been turned off 
this week, due to the Ministry of Defence requesting that the site is 
cleared.Extra power has been provided by nearby transmitters so no 
listeners in Uxbridge should be left without coverage.

*Radio Lapland is the new Birdsong 
<http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5451>*
Sounds from Santa's workshop are coming to DAB Digital Radio during the 
next week for the run up to Christmas.It's snow joke - Radio Lapland 
will use space on local multiplexes in around 20 regions to broadcast 
background noise in a "birdsong" fashion.

*Citybeat gives away an iXmas <http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5450>*
There will come a time when a radio station launching an iPhone app 
won't be news worthy, but for now, we're here to let you know Citybeat 
is launching one, and giving away a bunch of iPhones this 
Christmas.Citybeat's app, which streams the station output and offers 
song information, is free of charge and available now.

*Jazz FM gets in on the act <http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5449>*
Jazz FM has signed its first artist to its new artist label, after 
recently releasing five compilation albums.The signing of jazz musician 
Eileen Hunter represents Jazz FM’s recently announced commitment to help 
develop and support new talent.

*Sainsbury's helps Amazing Radio 
<http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5448>*
National DAB station Amazing Radio has secured the support of 
Sainsbury's.The supermarket chain will work with the station by helping 
their own local charities benefit from Amazing Radio's free advertising 
offer.

*Stars help Radio Clyde charity 
<http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5447>*
Pixie Lott, James Morrison and Newton Faulkner were just some of the 
stars helping to raise money at the first Radio Clyde Cash for Kids 
celebrity lunch.The event, at the Hilton in Glasgow, had 700 guests and 
raised £170,000 for children in the West of Scotland.

*Gaby joins Paul for breakfast <http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5444>*
Television presenter Gaby Roslin is joining Paul Ross on the BBC London 
breakfast show.Gaby has been a regular on the station filling in for 
JoAnne Good on breakfast, and Vanessa Feltz on mid-mornings.

*Ofcom to have words with Bauer 
<http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5446>*
Ofcom is to discuss with Bauer Media about its compliance procedures 
after the regulator found one of its stations in breach of the 
broadcasting code for the second time in six months.It comes as the Win 
with Sky competition on Hallam FM attracted one complaint from a 
listener who questioned the validity of the sponsor credit.

*Trent jocks back on the beer <http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5445>*
Twiggy and Emma from Trent FM's breakfast show are launching another 
charity ale for the third year running.The station has teamed up with 
Nottingham Brewery to make the ale with 10 pence from every pint sold 
going to the charity CLIC Sargent.

*Chris Lawson leaves Absolute <http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5443>*
Brand Director Chris Lawson is leaving his role at Absolute Radio after 
being with the company for eighteen months. His position was created to 
ease the transition from radio station to digital entertainment company 
when it changed from Virgin Radio over a year ago.

*Ofcom brings Big Top down <http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5442>*
Ofcom has criticised the pan-network, chart countdown Big Top 40 Show 
produced by Global Radio and featured on over 140 stations 
nationwide.The three hour show’s USP is that the listener might 
influence the countdown via the show’s website purchasing downloads from 
the iTunes store.

*Capital FM sets the standard <http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5441>*
The staff at Capital FM are recovering from two sell-out concerts at the 
O2 Arena in London this weekend, as the station pulls off the Jingle 
Bell Ball for the second year running.17,000 people attended the Arena 
each night to see dozens of leading names in music including Janet 
Jackson, JLS, Sugababes, Westlife and Lady Gaga.

*Magic does Michael Buble <http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.5440>*
London's Magic 105.4 is hosting an exclusive Michael Buble gig with his 
16-piece band, giving 200 listeners VIP access to the event.Tickets are 
being given away exclusively on-air with meet and greet opportunities 
being auctioned for charity.
See our archive online <http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?all>

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*Upcoming radio industry events:*


*The launch of TMCR FM 
<http://radiotoday.co.uk/e107_plugins/calendar_menu/event.php?1260748800.event.290.>* 
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*CLOSING DATE: Sony Radio Academy Awards 
<http://radiotoday.co.uk/e107_plugins/calendar_menu/event.php?1264550400.event.298.>* 
on 27 Jan 2010
This is the closing date to submit your entry for the 2010 Sony Radio 
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*RAJAR: Q4, 2009 results to stations 
<http://radiotoday.co.uk/e107_plugins/calendar_menu/event.php?1265203800.event.299.>* 
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*CLOSING DATE: Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards 
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on 05 Mar 2010
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Karl Hartland
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