[cma-l] Community radio - get your news from the BBC?

[Two Lochs Radio]

Just for info, in the North of Scotland we have agreement from BBC Radio Scotland for the seven community-based stations to take their regional news bulletins from the BBC Inverness opt-out. The decision (several years ago) was fully referred up within the BBC and they were aware that we take commercial advertising.

Our problem wasn't with the BBC, but with Ofcom, who weren't at all happy at the idea. I recall this was because it represented a 'loss of plurality' to any extent that the BBC regional news overlapped in content with our local news, and that Ofcom licensees are there in part to provide an alternative service independent of the BBC.

We take our national and international news from GMG Smooth Radio Glasgow. The IRN/Sky services are not really suitable in Scotland as their 'national' items are mostly England or even London-centric, and will do things like assuming this week is half-term (it was last week in Scotland). Smooth Glasgow serves 'Glasgow and the West' and is a good complement to our service, fitting in nicely with the character of our service. (It is also rather cheaper, as we have a no-fee/no-obligation agreement with GMG.)

The main downside is that their idea of an 'on-the-hour' news bulletin starts anything from 30s to 2m30s after the hour, so our presenters have become skilled in playing music (or even talking) with one ear, while monitoring Smooth Glasgow in the other ear, and doing a neat crossover at the right moment. Couldn't do it under automation though.

Alex
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Phil Korbel 
  To: jaqui devereux 
  Cc: cma-l 
  Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 3:29 PM
  Subject: Re: [cma-l] Community radio - get your news from the BBC?


  back in the day, Wythenshawe FM took live news on the hour from what was BBC GMR.  Worked well and we got a good local-ish news service for nowt, just had to cue up w 'and now the news from BBC GMR...', possibly a back anno too.
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