[cma-l] Financing Community Radio Stations.
Colin Pearse
colin at susyradio.com
Thu Apr 17 14:56:16 BST 2014
Good Afternoon,
I was totally for the 50% rule abolition until I attended the meeting in
Sheffield however having had extensive discussions I am of the absolute
opinion that it should be retained. It was thought that perhaps an
exemption banding could be introduced, say !0k to 20K for the lower cost
operators and I would include myself in this catagory. There's no doubt
that having the rule is a good weapon when asking people for funding as it
underlines the fact that you might be working under some difficulty in what
looks like an unfair situation. With the general opinion that the available
funding to be split equally each year the retention of the 50% rule makes
it easier for the CMA to ask the DCMS for increased finance being available
as in many other countries. We know that more money is a realistic aim as
you only have to look at the funding now available for local t v projects.
The possibility of funding being available off the back of the BBC licence
fee has already been mentioned. It should be also taken into account that
even as the 50% stands many licences have arranged their financial matters
to overcome the problems this might create whilst remaining within the
rules. Certainly the no advertising rule should be removed and I am sure
there is general agreement over this.
When talking face to face with other stations it becomes immediately
apparent that, for the most part, they are many " completely different
animals" although I was surprised that there were so many relatively low
cost operators out there. One recently quoted me annual running costs of
£10k which really impressed as I thought that my £14k model was pretty
good!
Within our set up in general we don't have membership fees purely because
we don't need them however a few members do subscribe to a small petty cash
fund which can be called upon if required. We also offer limited expenses
to all volunteers including presenters and this amounts to about one half
of their actual travel etc but not mileage costs in any one month. The take
up for this is about 20% of the total who could claim and might amount to
perhaps £180 in any one month. It is good that this is so low in that
otherwise we would either require more income or we might need to reduce
the payout.
As I said, naturally there are many different models currently on air and
what may suit one won't always be right for another however in this case
I'm happy to support the conclusions that arose out of the recent meeting
and I think we need to give it a chance to see what comes out the "other
end". Even with the current fund getting £3k each year without applying for
it each time would be most welcome. Prior to our licence having done 18
RSL's I hate to think of the tens of thousands we've spent in going the
"legal route" in order to get to here. I look forward to some pay back in
that the DCMS will have increased support for all of us!
Colin Pearse - Director / SUSY Radio / Reigate & Crawley
(I would point out that my fellow directors may all have their own opinions)
On 15 April 2014 20:37, terry mechan <terrymechan at live.co.uk> wrote:
> Following on from the consultation on DCMS emails, I have some comments on
> funding for Community Radio Stations
>
> My view is, as a minimum, all Community Radio Stations should charge a
> membership fee for all presenters because all presenters needs to
> contribute money to keep their stations on air.
>
> If CR presenters want the privilege of using airwaves to get their shows,
> views, and talent across to the general public, in the first instance, they
> should put their hand in their pocket to help out.
>
> All restrictions on advertising in CR's should be removed
>
> The CR model of relying on grants, handouts and bucket shaking
> collections doesn't work.
>
> I bet 50% of CR's on this forum are no more than 24 months away from
> closing due to lack of income.
>
> Also the BBC need to put their hands in their pocket and pay for
> re-broadcasting some of the Community Radio Shows that grace the airwaves
> throughout the country.
>
> In this South West, the BBC are happy to take excerpts from CR radio
> presenters for a weekly hour- long community radio show but they pay
> nothing for it.
>
> They don't even give a donation to the CR station which produced the
> programmes.
>
> I did a few but ain't doing anymore for nothing!!
>
> The BBC just rely on the desire of presenters to have a wider audience so
> they know they can put programme together for free.
>
> Perhaps some of the 1million pounds they pay a year as fees to individual
> presenters, (Fiona Bruce, Jeremy Clarkson et al), could find it's way back
> into other radio voices who should be heard.
>
> The BBC have a virtual monopoly on Radio Coverage in the UK,
> notwithstanding the niche players on FM and DAB.
>
> Perhaps Community Radio Stations should get together, form a National
> Production Company, and offer to be an Independent Producer of Programmes
> for the BBC.
>
> At the moment nearly all "Indies" are run or owned by ex BBC employees so
> the BBC money stays "in the family"
>
> Why should we, in Community Radio, be second class citizens?
>
> Over to you all for comment
>
> Terry Mechan
> www.terrymechan.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 15 Apr 2014, at 16:00, "shirleyludford at btinternet.co" <
> shirleyludford at btinternet.com> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Allowing Stations to be able to support themselves, fairly, is essential
> to survival. As the Manager of a non-commercial Station, I have learnt to
> be very creative... but not sufficiently enough to reduce our reliance on
> grant-funded projects which have mainly kept us going for 6 years. They do
> provide a great range of outcomes but take a lot of time in so many ways.
>
> We now have to find an additional £450 per month for premises costs. As a
> non-commercial Station that is a real problem to us. Gaining more of a
> "level playing field" with other community stations on freedom for more
> commercial activities would be a helpful start.
>
>
> I have a meeting with the Head of Radio and TV Licencing in London,
> through Minister Ed Vaizey, as he is interested to hear of our work; this
> is currently being arranged with one of our Swindon MPs
>
>
> * Shirls*
>
>
> Shirley Ludford
>
> Station Manager. Trainer
> SWINDON 105.5
> Mob: 07951 366289
> *www.swindon1055.com <http://www.swindon1055.com>*
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Richard Hilton <Richard.Hilton at bitc.org.uk>
> *To:* "cma-l at commedia.org.uk" <cma-l at commedia.org.uk>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, 15 April 2014, 14:59
> *Subject:* Re: [cma-l] DCMS Consultation
>
> Ah the 50% rule! Below is part of what I posted back in February on the
> subject. In essence; most of us aren’t getting close to the 50% limit and
> fighting for those stations that can’t take any on-air advertising is
> *far* more important.
>
>
> Ofcom’s 2013 Communications Market Report has detailed information on our
> sector. Overall in terms of income in 2012 29% came from On-air
> advertising and sponsorship. Grants made up 29%, SLA’s 7%, donations 14%
> and other 20%.
>
> So how is abolishing the 50% rule is going to help? At 29% it’s not that
> the sector overall is close to hitting 50% limit.
>
> Ofcom break these income categories by type of station. Their figures show
> the % for On-air advertising and sponsorship as follows:-
>
> Geographic town / rural 32%
> Geographic rural 23%
> Minority ethnic 43%
> Military 7%
> Religious 31%
> Youth 28%
>
> So for minority ethnic stations at 43% the abolition of the rule might
> help but I can’t see it helping others. Personally speaking I think the
> rule was set up for all the right reasons; it encourages diversity in our
> funding models and makes us less dependent on one source of income. Subtly
> it governs our sound and ethos. Maybe argue to push it to, say, 60% but I
> believe this fight is a red herring.
>
> A far most justifiable fight to pick would be to campaign for those
> community stations that aren’t allowed *any* on-air advertising and
> sponsorship as they have a small commercial station broadcasting near them.
> Their case is far more important. That is where we should be concentrating
> our fire power.
>
> Regards
>
> Richard
>
> *From:* cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk [
> mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk<cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk>]
> *On Behalf Of *Geoff Rogers
> *Sent:* 15 April 2014 14:26
> *To:* Fantasy Radio Office; cma-l at commedia.org.uk
> *Subject:* Re: [cma-l] DCMS Consultation
>
> I have to be in full agreement here that the 50% rule must go and this
> should be supported by the CMA.
>
> It is notoriously hard to get grant money in many circumstances and to
> be able to help very small local businesses with very cheap advertising is
> almost social gain in itself and no threat to even the smallest commercial
> station (if indeed any of these exist !)
>
> Kind regards,
>
> Geoff
>
> On 15 April 2014 12:53, Fantasy Radio Office <office at fantasyradio.co.uk>
> wrote:
>
> On 15/04/2014 12:00, cma-l-request at mailman.commedia.org.uk wrote:
> > DCMS Consultation
>
> The 50% rule might seem good to the stations able to pull in grant money
> - some of us have not been able to do so.
>
> By restricting advertising revenue, an important and enthusiastic
> section of the COMMUNITY is partly excluded (i.e. the business sector)
> from enjoying a relationship with the community station - and therefore
> the community. This 50% rule must go.
>
> Phil Dawson
>
> FANTASY RADIO 97FM
>
> Devizes and Mid Wiltshire
>
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>
> --
> Geoff Rogers
> Programme Director
> Susy Radio, Local Community Radio for Redhill and Reigate
> On-air across Sussex and Surrey on 103.4FM NOW
> Web: susyradio.com <http://www.susyradio.com/>
>
> Susy Radio Ltd. A company registered in England and Wales.
> Registered Office: 54 Nutfield Road, Merstham, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 3EP.
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