[cma-l] London 2012 Olympics radio station plan scrapped

[CMA-L]

Media regulator Ofcom pulls plug on London-only digital station project

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/oct/06/london-2012-olympics-radio

Plans for a special London Olympics radio station to broadcast in the
capital during the 2012 Games have been scrapped.

Media regulator Ofcom pulled the plug on the project – which would
have broadcast on digital audio broadcasting (DAB) only – because of a
lack of interest.

Ofcom had said it had expected demand for new radio services to be
"particularly high" during the Olympics and Paralympics.

But it ruled out the possibility of the short-term station being
available on AM or FM – and therefore making it available to a much
wider audience – because of lack of analogue spectrum.

The regulator said it had received just 10 responses to its appeal for
"preliminary expressions of interest", a number of which were not
suitable and did not meet its digital-only requirements.

"Ofcom has carefully considered this issue, in consultation with
government and taking into account the expressions of interest which
were submitted," it said in its latest radio broadcast update.

"The limited number of responses means we have not been able to gauge
fully how attractive a proposition this is likely to be to commercial
operators, and by extension the benefits to consumers and citizens
that may be realised.

"The lack of compelling evidence of demand, coupled with the not
insignificant process involved (including the drafting of primary
legislation) in licensing any such services, has led Ofcom to decide
not to proceed with the possible licensing of digital radio services
for the period during and around the London 2012 Games."

Source: Source:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/oct/06/london-2012-olympics-radio

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