[cma-l] DCMS Consultation on the Deregulation of Commercial Radio

Wed Dec 20 11:00:33 GMT 2017

You are fine to have an issue with "the switchover", I have an issue with
the term and have raised that with DRUK and DCMS on a few occasions.

I think "switchover" sounds too similar to "switchoff" which we had with
the digital TV process a few years back, and I fear that if listeners feel
like the FM radio is dead it could impact on CR and smaller commercial
stations.

Ian you are always one to ask for evidence, what evidence do you have about
the panic and actual damage it is causing the sector?

In fact I would argue that the move to switchover over the last 5+ years is
what paved the way for the new local DAB (SSDAB) which is a fantastic
opportunity for community broadcasters, and will give a platform to many
that FM isnt suitable or available for them.

Martin

On 20 December 2017 at 10:41, Ian Hickling <transplanfm at hotmail.com> wrote:

>
> Why do I have an issue with "the switchover"
> Because it's an undefined media term which is causing unnecessary panic
> and damage to our Sector.
>
>
> Ian Hickling
>
> Partner
>
> <http://www.transplanuk.com/>
>
> *Office: 016 3557 8435  (07h to 22h GTS)*
>
> *Car: 075 3098 0115 (only responds when driving)*
>
> *6 Horn Street, Compton, NEWBURY, RG20 6QS
> <https://maps.google.com/?q=6+Horn+Street,+Compton,+NEWBURY,+RG20+6QS&entry=gmail&source=g>*
> ------------------------------
> *From:* cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk <cma-l-bounces at mailman.
> commedia.org.uk> on behalf of Martin Steers <martin at martinsteers.co.uk>
> *Sent:* 20 December 2017 09:58:50
> *To:* The Community Media Association Discussion List
> *Cc:* chair at commedia.org.uk
> *Subject:* Re: [cma-l] DCMS Consultation on the Deregulation of
> Commercial Radio
>
> Not sure why you have an issue with the switchover? pretty sure that was
> discussed as part of the point of the consultation.
>
> Why is it being discussed, because we are nearly over the 50% of listening
> via digital, the threshold much regarded as the point that "switchover" (I
> still prefer the term migration) should start to happen.
>
> I think the Radiocentre's just making sure they can be seen to be standing
> up for their members, I / we cant fault them for that.. I dont think they
> are saying anything thats outrageous.
>
> Martin
>
> On 20 December 2017 at 08:49, Ian Hickling <transplanfm at hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>
> That opens up a whole bundle of worm cans - again.
> Why pray has " a run up to a (presumably digital) radio switchover" reared
> its ugly head again?
> Where/what is this "huge administrative burden" imposed by licence
> renewal that impacts on " on stations that
> are already underfunded and diverts resources away from delivering the
> business of the station"?
> And what exactly do our dear friends at Radiocentre mean by "..... community
> radio stations are required to provide social gain and are compliant with
> the regulatory framework and key commitments they are obliged to
> deliver......”.
> Are they alledging that we don't?
>
> Ian Hickling
>
> Partner
>
> <http://www.transplanuk.com/>
>
> *Office: 016 3557 8435  (07h to 22h GTS)*
>
> *Car: 075 3098 0115 (only responds when driving)*
>
> *6 Horn Street, Compton, NEWBURY, RG20 6QS
> <https://maps.google.com/?q=6+Horn+Street,+Compton,+NEWBURY,+RG20+6QS&entry=gmail&source=g>*
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk <
> cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk> on behalf of CMA-L <
> cma-l at commedia.org.uk>
> *Sent:* 19 December 2017 18:15
> *To:* cma-l at commedia.org.uk
> *Subject:* [cma-l] DCMS Consultation on the Deregulation of Commercial
> Radio
>
> The DCMS response has now been published:
>
> https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/commercial-radio
> -deregulation-consultation.
>
> *Community Radio*
>
> Q20. We would welcome views on whether the same arrangements for extending
>
> the duration of analogue commercial radio licences (see Q13) in the run up
> to a
>
> future radio switchover should also apply to community radio.
>
>
> *Summary of consultation responses*
> 109. The majority of respondents agreed that a flexible period should be
> introduced
> for analogue licences leading up to switchover and this includes extending
> licence durations. A small number of respondents did not agree with this
> proposal, and a further small number of respondents offered additional
> recommendations. Of those who supported the proposal, the respondents
> consisted of service providers and organisations. Respondents said that
> community radio should be treated equally and that these services should
> also be given certainty leading up to a digital switchover.
>
> 110. The Community Media Association, the representative body for the
> community radio industry, welcomed the proposals to extend licences and
> also argued for a longer fixed period in order to preserve resources:
> “Licence renewal places a huge administrative burden on stations that
> are already underfunded and diverts resources away from delivering
> the business of the station. It is therefore only reasonable that the
> length of community radio licences is extended to at least 8 years and
> possibly up to the full 12 years permitted for local commercial analogue
> radio stations.” [The Community Media Association]
>
> 111. However, some respondents disagreed with this proposal and said that
> the
> current licensing system based on five year terms should remain for
> community radio. The respondents included service providers and members
> of the public. One respondent, citing the differences between commercial
> and
> community radio, explained that licence extensions would not be appropriate
> for community radio due to funding arrangements and their reliance on
> volunteers. Some respondents also said that there should be a clear
> distinction between commercial and community radio and therefore the
> licensing system should not change.
>
> 112. A further number of respondents suggested additional recommendations,
> such as: community radio should be able to take up DAB carriage on the
> relevant local multiplex, community radio licences should be synchronised
> by
> area so that they expire at the same time, and community stations should be
> free to be licensed as commercial services.
>
> 113. While Radiocentre did not oppose further licence renewals for
> community
> services, they did warn that:
>
> “this should be on the requirement that community radio stations are
> required to provide social gain and are compliant with the regulatory
> framework and key commitments they are obliged to deliver”.
>
>
> *Government response*
> 114. The government will support all service providers leading up to a
> digital
> switchover, and respondents have demonstrated that a flexible period in the
> transition up to a switchover will be a welcome measure to the radio
> industry.
>
> 115. Community radio has a different objective to commercial radio and
> offers a
> meaningful contribution to the communities that they serve. While community
> services are currently able to take up DAB carriage if they wish, the
> introduction of small scale DAB will increase accessibility to the
> platform for
> these services.
>
> 116. We therefore believe it would be useful for Ofcom to be able to set
> flexible
> periods for all analogue licences in the run up to a future switchover
> (subject
> to the two-year notice period in s97A of the Broadcasting Act 1990), and
> intend to introduce powers to be able to extend similar arrangements for
> community radio services services in order to be able to smooth the process
> of licenses expiring in the run up to a future radio switchover.
>
> \\
>
> Community Media Association
> --
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>
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>
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