[cma-l] Region 10 Licensing

Tue Feb 9 12:32:24 GMT 2016

Ofcom's made it abundantly clear that it has no intention of offering any more small commercial licences - and it's almost impossible to get any of the ones that fail (such as Slough) or come up for renewal.
That in itself could be the subject of a formal challenge.Easier to work on the tier that we have in place - Community Radio.
At least this is a formula for would-be broadcasters to get on air - and existing illegal ones to comply with the Law.
Do you really think it's feasible to have yet another tier?
There are quite a few good CRs that are offering a proper local service and as such are thriving - despite - as you say - the draconian legislation regime, attributable to a large extent to the influence of the large commercial groups.
No - let's push for what's sensible and supportive from Ofcom, the DCMS and from Government - and refuse to accept the current obvious delaying tactics like "maybe" and "when we get round to it".
Ian Hickling
Partner

Office: 01635 578435  (7am-11pm UK time)Carphone: 07530 980115 (only responds when driving)6 Horn Street, Compton, NEWBURY, RG20 6QS

Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2016 18:34:22 +0000
From: geoff at susyradio.com
To: cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
Subject: Re: [cma-l] Region 10 Licensing

All,
It's not just the North Sea pirates that forced a change of rules. The 80s land based stations such, Jackie, Kiss, Invicta, Solar to name but a few gave us the opportunities we have today and we should not forget this.
In every generation there are things that the youngsters want to hear that isn't catered for on the radio. Government moves too slowly and the youth decide to do it anyway.  What is needed is an easy way for stations to be set up catering for these needs. Community radio is great but many people think and I agree it's overregulated...
The answer, I don't know. But it's not Draconian laws which never work.
Just my views 
Geoff 

On Monday, 8 February 2016, Alex Gray, Two Lochs Radio <tlr at gairloch.co.uk> wrote:
Lol Just to add to the picture, in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland numerous communities found that it was perfectly practical to apply for the commercial pathway to gain local commercial licences, even though actually operating the stations on a not-for-profit basis. Seven stations went down this route (one has since converted to a community radio licence). I guess the problem is not directly the financial or expertise difficulty in applying for commercial licences, but that in more financial attractive urbanized areas, there is a lot more competition for spectrum from mainstream commercial licence applicants leaving little space for community-based commercial applicants. Alex From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk [mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of lolgellor
Sent: 08 February 2016 16:41
To: The Community Media Association Discussion List <cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>
Subject: Re: [cma-l] Region 10 Licensing Hello Ian As someone who has been, and remains, involved in legal broadcasting over a number of years I'm not unsympathetic to your passionate position regarding "Pirates". I feel an aspect of the problem both historically and currently is that there has never been a realistic pathway into local commercial broadcasting for those without immediate access to the necessary finances or expertise. Indeed some of the established legal commercial stations have their origins as pirates. Transition facilitated usually once popularity had been established and they could then attract the money people to legally bid. Usually with a blind eye position from the authorities regarding their history. The aspirations of licensed community stations are required to be not for profit and quite rightly in my view but that does not accomodate for those that identify a community/market that is not served and with whom they wish to commercially engage. Notably in London and other cities there are communities with culture and language not addressed by the mainstream or legal local broadcasting. They are ostensibly required to become the selfless sausages that comprise most involved in community radio or engage in illegal activity. I remember well campaigning for community radio legislation and it is with some regret we were not able to fend off the resistance of the commercial radio lobby to anything but not for profit aspirations. Clearly this does not apply in lots of cases of pirate activity but this absence of a pathway onto local commercial radio still remains a contributing factor. I say this in an individual capacity and it does not reflect the position of any organisation with which I may be associated.  More power to your elbow and I look forward to your always sterling contribution to this list. All bestLolG

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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.
Registered Number: 06748586

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