NEWS: TEN APPLICATIONS TO OFCOM FOR NEW LIVERPOOL LOCAL COMMERCIAL FM RADIO LICENCE by GRANT GODDARD

www.grantgoddard.co.uk July 2006

Ten applications were submitted to Ofcom for the new Liverpool local commercial FM radio licence. 'AllTalk FM' proposes a speech based station with a strong commitment to locally led news and information. 'The Arrow' is Chrysalis plcs classic and contemporary rock music station for over-35s. 'CityTalk', backed by EMAP plc, is a speech station with special flagship programs on weekly or monthly basis [sic]. 'Jack FM', backed by Absolute Radio Limited, offers variety rock music for 40 to 59 year olds with speech at weekday peak times. 'Liver FM', fronted by David Maker, proposes a rolling news and information and music service for over-35s. 'Mersey Life', backed by CN Group Limited, offers a locally-focused speech, information and music station for 45 to 64 year olds. 'Original 106' is CanWest Globals adult alternative radio for ABC1 listeners. 'Planet Rock' is GCap plcs classic rock station. 'RockTalk Liverpool' is Guardian Media Group plcs speech and music service for 35 to 64 year olds. 'Wicked FM', fronted by consultant Mark Oliver, proposes a full service broad rock station for 20 to 49 year olds. Londons 'Spectrum Radio' has requested a change to its format that would allow programming for Asian communities to be increased from eight to twelve hours per day. The station says that, in return, its programming will be extended to serve eight ethnic communities, rather than the present six. Ofcom has requested responses to its consultation by 21 August 2006. A new local commercial FM radio licence for Herefordshire and Monmouthshire will be advertised by Ofcom this September, using four frequencies to cover Hereford, Ledbury, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye. Ofcom has issued a reminder to future commercial radio licence applicants that while [proposed] Formats should not be so vague as to failing to represent a meaningful encapsulation of the character of the proposed service, it is equally important that Formats should not be too detailed. Too much detail can result not only in the inclusion of commitments that might be unrealistic but, also in the Format being unnecessarily restrictive by fettering the ability of licensees to change delivery methods, timing and style in the future. Application forms and guidelines for the second community radio licensing round will be published on 16 August, and will be handled on a region-byregion basis. FM licences for community stations will not be available in Inner London, and only in six Outer London Boroughs.

[First published in 'The Radio Magazine' as 'Ofcom Licence Updates', #745, 19 July 2006]

News: Ten Applications To Ofcom For New Liverpool Local Commercial FM Radio Licence 2006 Grant Goddard

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Grant Goddard is a media analyst / radio specialist / radio consultant with thirty years of experience in the broadcasting industry, having held senior management and consultancy roles within the commercial media sector in the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia. Details at http://www.grantgoddard.co.uk

News: Ten Applications To Ofcom For New Liverpool Local Commercial FM Radio Licence 2006 Grant Goddard

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