[cma-l] UpsidedownNews
Phil Edmonds
lists at philedmonds.info
Tue Mar 8 18:10:53 GMT 2016
It's interesting to "compare and contrast" these small scale DAB trials
with the "Access Radio" pilots.
Hopefully I've got the time scales "more or less" right here (someone do
please correct me if I'm wrong.)
2001 - Radio Authority sort applications from interested parties to take
part in Access Radio trial.
2002 - Pilot stations launched "12 month" trial.
2003 onwards - numerous "extensions" of trial licences. Ultimately until
31st December 2005.
2003/4 Legislation for Community Radio proceeds.
2004 Full time Community Radio licences advertised.
2005 First "Community Radio Licenced" station launches.
2006 Most of the pilots commence full licence.
2006/7 'Round One' Community Radio licences launch.
Between 2002 pilots starting and the opportunity for others to apply and
start broadcasting under a Community Radio licence several years down
the line there were many "interested parties" ready and waiting "biting
at the bit" to get a licence and go "on-air".
Sounding familiar with the situation today with interested parties with
the small scale DAB?
So I can see a perfectly reasonable argument for Ofcom to extend the trials.
However I'd be asking for reassurances that just like the Access Radio
pilots that the relevant "processes" needed to get licencing for others
to apply to be "part of the party" is put in place while these
extensions are in place. Logic dictates this must be the "general plan"
unless Ofcom are just going to roll over a second extension.
However this is were my analogy with the Access Radio pilots hits a road
block. In areas with 'high demand', lets case study Greater Manchester
here, not only did Ofcom find "space" for the two "incumbent" access
radio pilot stations to stay on-air, but also numerous other "new
comers" on FM.
This probably won't be the case of multiple "interested parties" to
operate DAB multiplexes in addition to the incumbent pilot.
Having said that Greater Manchester is an unusual conurbation in such
high density of "radio stations" in one urban conurbation. That's
probably only equalled by the Greater London conurbation who, in the
main, haven't even had the same bite of the "FM cherry" for community
radio operators.
On the other hand I could just argue to just get the nationals and
regional's off FM in the majority of "mainland" UK were there is DAB
equivalence, let the smaller Community and Commercial stations have
higher TX powers on clear frequency allocations to give decent field
strength in their core service areas and encourage receiver
manufacturers to build sets that display the FM RDS station names in the
same "station list" as the DAB stations for users to select from and
everyone would be happy!
Phil.
On 08/03/2016 15:47, Ian Hickling wrote:
> James - can I take you up on two points:
> / I am now arguing that it is no longer a technical trial, and that
> Ofcom are just letting these muxes continue on-air while they work out
> what to do next. Good for listeners. Good for those people who gambled
> successfully to run those muxes. I can't see the downside./
> The down side is surely that those who were arbitrarily and apparently
> quite unfairly in some cases not selected to run these trials - hardly a
> gamble - are deprived from contributing.
> /But, this being the community radio list, don't let me stand in the way
> of more gripes and moans about Ofcom and how desperately unfair life is
> in general. We haven't heard how much PRS and PPL are going to charge
> yet! A rich seam!/
> No - come on - that sort of sarcasm is beneath you. If you saw first
> hand every day like we do how hard some of these guys have to work
> against such unfair restrictions, you might have a bit more sympathy.
> At least some of us are getting to the root of their problems and
> pushing the right doors - as Ed Vaizey would say.
>
> Ian Hickling
>
> Partner
>
> <http://www.transplanuk.com/>
>
> /Office: 016 3557 8435 (07h to 22h GTS)/
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> /Car: 075 3098 0115 (only responds when driving)/
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>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2016 14:48:42 +0000
> From: ravensound at pilgrimsound.co.uk
> To: cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
> Subject: Re: [cma-l] UpsidedownNews
>
> Well, who wouldn't be unhappy in Victoria for example with a digital
> radio system that is not only up to date but gives access to the
> community stations on the main mux. They also have "pork barrel
> politics" which helps group initiatives along the way....
>
> Tony Bailey
>
> On 08/03/16 12:31, James Cridland wrote:
>
> >Much of the qualifying criteria were technical and designed so
> that Ofcom could gain empirical data, therefore it’s a technical
> trial.<
>
> I think you misunderstand. It was a 9 month technical trial. I am
> now arguing that it is no longer a technical trial, and that Ofcom
> are just letting these muxes continue on-air while they work out
> what to do next. Good for listeners. Good for those people who
> gambled successfully to run those muxes. I can't see the downside.
>
> But, this being the community radio list, don't let me stand in the
> way of more gripes and moans about Ofcom and how desperately unfair
> life is in general. We haven't heard how much PRS and PPL are going
> to charge yet! A rich seam!
>
> In separate news, I'm really impressed at the quality of radio from
> the community radio sector here in Australia. I visited Bay FM in
> Byron Bay a few weeks ago, who had massively impressive news
> gathering, and 4ZZZ in Brisbane also has tremendous and unexpected
> programming (a fascinating computer games news show the other day).
> 4ZZZ appears to directly feed the local ABC with staff, and
> similarly many of the local ABC staff are also involved with 4ZZZ
> too. I've yet to hear anyone moan about ACMA, much less whine about
> the general unfairness of everything. Seems that people just get on
> and make great radio, with the same lack of resource as the UK
> manages on, by the way.
>
>
> On Tue, 8 Mar 2016, 20:48 Alan Coote <alan.coote at 5digital.co.uk
> <mailto:alan.coote at 5digital.co.uk>> wrote:
>
> Hi James,
>
> Much of the qualifying criteria were technical and designed so
> that Ofcom could gain empirical data, therefore it’s a technical
> trial.
>
> If it were a business feasibility study that would be structured
> very differently and it could be 90% completed without the need
> for a trial.
>
> It's perfectly acceptable to run a trial and then have an
> assessment period to analyse the data. It’s also fully
> understandable to allow the existing services to continue; we
> wouldn’t expect anything less of course.
>
> However, if your conjecture regarding plurality is right then
> the only reason for extending the trial is to stress test the
> stations and multiplex operators. Putting it bluntly, the actual
> reason for the trial is to find out how many will go bust.
>
> Kind Regards
>
> Alan
>
> Alan Coote
>
> Email - alan.coote at MonogramMedia.co.uk
> <mailto:alan.coote at 5digital.co.uk>
>
> Phone - 0800 949 6655
>
> Mobile - 07801 518858
>
> Twitter - @TheAlanCoote <http://www.twitter.com/TheAlanCoote>
>
>
> Twitter - @LTBShow <http://www.twitter.com/TheAlanCoote>
>
> Web - http://www.LetsTalkBusinessOnline.com
> <http://www.5digital.co.uk/>
>
>
> From: <cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk
> <mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk>> on behalf of
> James Cridland <james at cridland.net <mailto:james at cridland.net>>
> Reply-To: "cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
> <mailto:cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>"
> <cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
> <mailto:cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>>
> Date: Tuesday, 8 March 2016 at 02:26
>
> To: "martin at martinsteers.co.uk
> <mailto:martin at martinsteers.co.uk>" <martin at martinsteers.co.uk
> <mailto:martin at martinsteers.co.uk>>,
> "cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
> <mailto:cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>"
> <cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
> <mailto:cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>>
> Subject: Re: [cma-l] Ofcom: 10th March, DCMS: 11th March
>
> In a stakeholder meeting, I asked (when these were first
> advertised) whether they'd really be pulled off after nine
> months, denying audiences the additional choice they may have
> become accustomed to. Ofcom wriggled a bit in their answer, but
> seemed to say "we'll look at that when the time comes". There
> was a clue there.
>
> >As this is a technical feasibility trial how is extending it to 3 years going to give a
> significantly better outcome?<
>
> It isn't. The actual technical feasibility trial is over; at
> least, without making a few changes to the multiplexes, Ofcom
> won't learn more over the next two years. That's not the point
> really.
>
> It's worthwhile examining why Ofcom exists.
> http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/what-is-ofcom/statutory-duties-and-regulatory-principles/
> - it is there to ensure a wide range of services and a plurality
> of providers. Turning off services while men in suits look at
> broadcast law and at broadcast field strengths is against
> Ofcom's statutory duty. More to the point, it is also unnecessary.
>
> So, Ofcom has elected not to remove the additional choice to
> listeners that these small-scale multiplexes offer. They now
> have two years to look at the results of the data and then at
> the legislation. It's the right choice for the listener, and I'm
> surprised that anyone would want anything else.
>
> J
>
>
> On Tue, 8 Mar 2016, 3:51 AM Martin Steers
> <martin at martinsteers.co.uk <mailto:martin at martinsteers.co.uk>>
> wrote:
>
> Hiya all,
> Going in everyone concerned knew and expected it to be a 9
> month trial.
> If anything this extension could be seen as a testament as
> to possible success and the future off it. The government is
> already considering the longer term implementation and don't
> want those current stations / multiplex holders to stop and
> have to restart.
> At the stakeholder meeting I pushed the DCMS for an
> understanding of the timescales involved before legislation
> is in place to enable others to take advantage of the
> opportunity of small scale DAB. Whilst they wouldn't be held
> to a deadline or timeframe at that time, they confirmed to
> me that they / the government are keen to make it as quick
> as feasible. But we all know that these things can take as
> long as they take.
> This is a matter that the CMA will be taking up and pressing
> the DCMS & Ofcom for a timetable, as well as consulting with
> members for the best outcome for the community media sector.
> I can confirm that the CMA has already started conversations
> both with PPL and PRS in regard to the music licenses for
> small scale DAB.
> They are extending it by 2 years (so max would be 2 years 9
> months), I assume (note I) because they believe they can get
> the legislation in place before then. They see it akin to
> the pilot project for community radio, which I believe the
> CR order was in place before the trial licenses expired? (a
> bit before my time).
> Its worth mentioning most of this is in relation to the
> legislation involved with licenses multiplexes NOT services
> (eg stations), again if you have a small scale or even local
> / regional DAB service in your area or where you would like
> to broadcast you can already consider applying for that (if
> there is space).
>
> On 7 March 2016 at 14:48, Alan Coote
> <alan.coote at 5digital.co.uk
> <mailto:alan.coote at 5digital.co.uk>> wrote:
>
> Martin, et al,
>
> This decision affects the whole radio industry.
>
> Firstly, small scale DAB operations based their business
> model on a 9 month trial. The calculation of ROI over
> nearly 3 years is very different from 9 months.
>
> The delay puts the licensing of small scale DAB very
> close to a potential round 4. So unless community
> licensing is concurrent with small scale DAB, stations
> will have to choose their platform without full
> knowledge of the other.
>
> There are a number of commercial analogue stations which
> would love to have an affordable DAB solution. This
> delay is costing them audience share and revenue.
> Finally, what were they thinking! As this is a technical
> feasibility trial how is extending it to 3 years going
> to give a significantly better outcome? There’s only 5
> things you can do in project management; hire more
> people, reduce the quality, alter the scope, find
> another way to achieve the same result or extend the time.
>
> Anyone of the other options I believe is preferable to
> extending the deadline.
>
> Kind Regards
>
> Alan
>
> Alan Coote
>
> Twitter - @TheAlanCoote
> <http://www.twitter.com/TheAlanCoote>
>
> Twitter - @LTBShow <http://www.twitter.com/TheAlanCoote>
>
> Web - http://www.LetsTalkBusinessOnline.com
> <http://www.5digital.co.uk/>
>
>
> From: <cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk
> <mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk>> on
> behalf of "martin at martinsteers.co.uk
> <mailto:martin at martinsteers.co.uk>"
> <martin at martinsteers.co.uk
> <mailto:martin at martinsteers.co.uk>>
> Reply-To: "martin at martinsteers.co.uk
> <mailto:martin at martinsteers.co.uk>"
> <martin at martinsteers.co.uk
> <mailto:martin at martinsteers.co.uk>>,
> "cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
> <mailto:cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>"
> <cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
> <mailto:cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>>
> Date: Monday, 7 March 2016 at 09:30
> To: "cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
> <mailto:cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>"
> <cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
> <mailto:cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>>
> Subject: Re: [cma-l] Ofcom: 10th March, DCMS: 11th March
>
>
> Hi Ray,
>
> I completely understand (and agree to an extent).
>
> At its inception it was a 9month trail, and its DCMS who
> have decided to extend it for an additional 2 years.
>
> This is more so that the current stations dont fall off
> the trail whilst the government puts the legislation
> together to enable Small Scale DAB to happen.
>
> No new multiplex licenses will be issued until that
> time, HOWEVER new services (stations) can appear on
> multiplexes if they have the space.
>
> I was recently at the Digital Radio stakeholder meeting
> representing the CMA and put some of these questions
> direct to the DCMS.
>
> Martin
>
> On 4 March 2016 at 10:26, Ray Godby
> <ray.godby at hcrfm.co.uk <mailto:ray.godby at hcrfm.co.uk>>
> wrote:
>
> Just the fact that if we had known that the trial
> for DAB was going on for 2 year and 9 months we
> would have applied. It makes the costing more
> reasonable for us and i am sure many other stations
> and do they think that its working due to extending
> the trial. And is it really right that just a few
> stations will have nearly three years to the
> exclusion of others.
>
> On 3 Mar 2016 19:02, "CMA-L" <cma-l at commedia.org.uk
> <mailto:cma-l at commedia.org.uk>> wrote:
>
> The Community Media Association is meeting with
> Ofcom on Thursday 10th March 2016. Please detail
> any specific issues that you would like the CMA
> to raise with Ofcom using the form below:
>
> http://bit.ly/cmaOfcom
>
> As well as the extension to the small-scale DAB
> trial, the CMA will also discuss training and
> education initiatives with Ofcom on key
> commitments as mentioned in their statement
> <http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/key-commitments/statement/>
> issued today:
>
> If the sector thinks that there are benefits
> from standardised record-keeping beyond what
> is currently required by Ofcom, it remains
> possible for the sector to organise this,
> perhaps via an umbrella organisation such as
> the CMA. We welcome the suggestion from the
> CMA to contribute to the development of a
> number of training and education initiatives
> around record-keeping under the new Key
> Commitments, and will explore this further
> with the CMA as part of our regular
> engagement programme with them.
>
>
> And on Friday 11th March 2016 the CMA is meeting
> with the Department of Culture Media & Sport .
> Please detail any specific issues that you would
> like the CMA to raise with DCMS here.
>
> http://bit.ly/cmaDCMS
>
> \\\
>
> Community Media Association
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