[cma-l] OFCOM Consultation

[Alan Coote]

Surely the solution is that those who want to operate as an effectively
small scale commercial stations should be allowed. The only reason there is
a Community Radio sector at all is because Ofcom were between a rock and a
hard place of the public interest on one side and commercial radio on the
other. 

As I have said here and elsewhere it’s a bugger muddle! I have long
advocated (since the last first consultation on Access Radio) that we have
radio wrong in this country and the arbitrary limits should be removed. In
my view it's quite simple; there should be National, Regional and Local
radio and that's it. 

CR is hampered by ownership rules, an enforce business model, coverage and
many other ridiculous criteria. I accept that there needs to be some
controls on the finite spectrum but these should be managed through simple
criterion based on plurality and ownership.    

Ofcom should get out of the game of regulating stations internal
operation's.   

Kind Regards
Alan

Alan Coote
Managing Director
5 Digital Limited

Hear Alan Every Week on Let’s Talk Business The UK’s Premier Radio Programme
For Current and Future Entrepreneurs - Now Broadcast To 4 Million People  


-----Original Message-----
From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk
[mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of Clive Glover
Sent: 14 February 2014 12:20
To: CMA Discussion List List
Subject: [cma-l] OFCOM Consultation

I agree with those who say we should demand the removal of the ban on
advertising for those CR stations who have been restricted in this way. How
many commercial stations have closed down because of the competition from a
nearby CR station? Show us the evidence OFCOM! If there is none then the
restriction should be dropped.

However I am less certain about removing the 50% rule for everyone else. It
is unnecessary in terms of protecting local commercial stations - obviously.
But it does ensure that CR stations do need to be creative and active in
their community in seeking a variety of sources of income rather than just
advertising and commercial sponsorship. Not that the latter is an easy
option.

As has been said by others, there are many such other sources including
grants, fund-raising (and profile raising) events and donations, membership
etc. And any commercial income from things other than on-air ads or
sponsorship do not count towards the 50% - so ads on websites or sponsorship
of new studio equipment or an OB van or lots of other things do not count.

Even when you do count you can offset volunteer time against the actual on
air commercial revenue and, as all CR stations rely on lots of volunteers
giving their time, this makes a significant difference.

And this is before any ideas for setting up separate commercial companies
and charities and allocating income between them or similar schemes.

So, my conclusion is that the existence of the 50% rule is unlikely to be a
real practical problem for the vast majority of CR stations although I
recognise there are a few for whom it may be.

Finally, I find it really odd that a question on whether licenses should be
extended for a further 5 years is just dropped into the Consultation along
with all the rest of the questions about funding. Of course all CR licenses
should be renewed not just once but every five years as long as the station
is meeting its Key Commitments as demonstrated in its Annual Reports to
OFCOM!

regards,

Clive Glover

Radio Verulam, St Albans
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