[comradio-l] Vaizey confirms no FM switch-off

[CMA-L]

Source: http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.6750.5

Broadcast Minister Ed Vaizey has confirmed to a group of MP’s that the
FM waveband will not be switched off and will remain as one of a
number of multi platform transmission options for local commercial
radio.

He also confirmed that he was prepared to take a look at the recent
decision by Ofcom to limit licence renewal terms for local commercial
stations to just seven years.

He advised MP’s present that the 2015 switchover date will only
proceed if certain criteria are met and the listeners are clearly
behind the policy.

Almost twenty MP’s from across the UK met with the Minister, and the
Secretary of State who was also present, to express their concerns
about the implications of Government policy on local radio and
expressed strong support for their respective local stations and their
desire to see them prosper and flourish in the future.

The Minister confirmed that FM will remain as a broadcast platform for
years to come and also, in response to questioning from MP’s about the
recently imposed seven year licence term on commercial licence
renewals, agreed that he would review the matter and would welcome the
input of MP’s in reviewing this matter sometime in the next twelve
months or so.

William Rogers, Chief Executive of UKRD, said he was delighted with
the outcome of the meeting and expressed his thanks and appreciation
to all the MP’s who attended to press the case for “critically
important reviews” in key areas of policy.

“That the Minister has confirmed that FM will remain for years to
come, especially for those stations with no DAB future, is of course
welcome but what is also really helpful, and something we should all
welcome as an industry, was his open and constructive response to the
question raised by MP’s to review the length of licences for local
commercial stations which were in effect cut from 12 to 7 years in the
latest Ofcom review,” said Rogers.

“MP’s were encouraged to make representations on this matter and,
indeed, to even propose a policy position in this respect and we will
be working with them over the coming months to ensure that this issue
remains firmly on the Governments agenda of things that need to be
looked at again.”

“We need a dynamic and vibrant local radio sector with a bright and
genuinely multi-platform digital future. Of course DAB is one of many
such platforms but the prescriptive, poorly planned and inappropriate
imposition of this single platform simply gets in the way of what
consumer choice is all about.”

Source: http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.6750.5

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