BCI completes review of ownership and control policy in advance of radio licensing advertisements
9th November
The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has today (November 9th) announced that it has completed its review of the Ownership and Control Policy following a detailed review of the current provisions including consideration of submissions received as part of a public consultation process.
In general terms, the Commission was satisfied that the provisions of the existing policy continued to be appropriate and relevant. It was therefore decided that the four key policy objectives and guiding regulatory principles would be retained in the revised policy with changes being made to a number of the policy details. These are outlined as follows:
• While the definitions of ‘control’ and ‘substantial interest’ remain unchanged, a minimum percentage threshold of 10% will now apply in respect of ‘substantial interest’.
• The current thresholds under 6 2(g) of the Act (‘an undue number of sound broadcasting services’) will be maintained- i.e. minimum 15%, maximum 25%. However, any proposals received between 15% and 25% will continue to receive more careful consideration, and applicants will now be requested to submit a compliance audit for all of its existing services over a twelve-month period, before the BCI makes a final determination on the matter.
• The definition of what constitutes an “undue amount of communications media”, i.e. “more than a reasonable share of the range of communications media available to audiences in the franchise area”, remains unchanged. However the Commission will no longer examine the applicant’s dominance of the local advertising market, as this aspect is examined by the Competition Authority, in making a determination regarding a media merger.
• The two year moratorium on the sale of a licence will remain in place but the Commission will make an exception to the provision with licence holders whose licences have been renewed and applications for change will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Commenting on the review, Michael O’Keeffe, Chief Executive of the BCI said, “Having given careful and detailed consideration to all aspects of the Ownership and Control Policy, the Commission is satisfied that the existing policy has worked extremely well in ensuring plurality of ownership and the sustained development of the broadcasting industry. The relatively small number of changes as outlined today reflect issues raised during the operation of the policy from 2001 and responses received in the consultation process. We are committed to a further review of the policy in three years’ time”.
Revisions to the Ownership and Control Policy will be undertaken within the coming weeks with a target to have the revised policy in place by late November.
Radio Licensing Advertisments
The BCI will advertise the Quasi-National Speech-Driven Service and will re-advertise the National Commercial Sound Broadcasting Service on Friday December 9th next.
The National Commercial Sound Broadcasting Service, which is currently held by Today FM, will be advertised as a broad format service, targeting 20-50 year olds with a core target audience of 20-44, and providing 70% music and 30% speech content. The licence will be granted for a period of 10 years.
| Catherine Logan | Aoife Clabby |
| Fleishman-Hillard | BCI |
| 01-618 8462 | 01-6441200 |