Press Releases 2005
BCI announces recent community radio licensing decisions
29th June
The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has today (Wednesday 29th June) announced the following decisions with regard to the licensing of further community and community of interest radio services.
1. Licence awarded in principle
Franchise Area South Inishowen Peninsula
Proposed Station Name South Inishowen Community Radio (SICR FM)
Company Name & Address South Inishowen Community Radio, Tullyarvan Mill, Buncrana, Inishowen, Co. Donegal
Contact Name and Phone Number Jim Doherty tel: 074 936 1613
At its Board Meeting on Monday 27th June, the Commission awarded a licence in principle to South Inishowen Community Radio (SICR FM) for the franchise area of the South Inishowen Peninsula. The Commission will now commence contract negotiations with the group with a view to the completion of a 5 year contract. Further announcements in this regard will be made in the near future.
2. Community of Interest applications for the towns of Athlone, Carlow and Dundalk
The Commission considered three applications received for the provision of community of interest services in the towns of Athlone, Carlow and Dundalk. The Commission was of the view that none of the applications received were of a sufficient quality to merit further consideration. Commenting on the decision, Michael O´Keeffe, Chief Executive of the BCI said: "We would like to thank the three groups for their time and effort in making these applications. However there were a number of fundamental weaknesses in each application, particularly in relation to the nature of the proposed programme schedule in each case. In this regard none of the programming proposals were in accordance with the Commission´s Community Radio Policy. A detailed feedback report will be issued to each group in the coming weeks".
3. Advertisement of Expressions of Interest in Community and Community of Interest Services
The Commission will tomorrow (June 30th) place advertisements in the national and regional press seeking expressions of interest in the provision of eighteen community and community of interest radio services nationally. This phase incorporates the beginning of the re-licensing process for thirteen existing community and community of interest franchise areas, in addition to seeking expressions of interest in the provision of five new community-based services in Charleville, Claremorris, Knock, Shannon and Sligo town. Commenting on the process Michael O´Keeffe, CEO said: "The launch of this expressions of interest phase is in line with commitments given by the Commission as part of their policy on radio licensing announced earlier this year. We anticipate that the licensing processes will be completed by the end of 2006."
The Commission has produced a Guideline document to assist groups in making their expressions of interest. The closing date for receipt of expressions is Monday 8th August.
Media Queries to:
Catherine Logan or Aoife Clabby
Fleishman-Hillard BCI
01-618 8462 01-6441200
BCI announces recent community radio licensing decisions
29th June
The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has today (Wednesday 29th June) announced the following decisions with regard to the licensing of further community and community of interest radio services.
1. Licence awarded in principle
Franchise Area South Inishowen Peninsula
Proposed Station Name South Inishowen Community Radio (SICR FM)
Company Name & Address South Inishowen Community Radio, Tullyarvan Mill, Buncrana, Inishowen, Co. Donegal
Contact Name and Phone Number Jim Doherty tel: 074 936 1613
At its Board Meeting on Monday 27th June, the Commission awarded a licence in principle to South Inishowen Community Radio (SICR FM) for the franchise area of the South Inishowen Peninsula. The Commission will now commence contract negotiations with the group with a view to the completion of a 5 year contract. Further announcements in this regard will be made in the near future.
2. Community of Interest applications for the towns of Athlone, Carlow and Dundalk
The Commission considered three applications received for the provision of community of interest services in the towns of Athlone, Carlow and Dundalk. The Commission was of the view that none of the applications received were of a sufficient quality to merit further consideration. Commenting on the decision, Michael O´Keeffe, Chief Executive of the BCI said: "We would like to thank the three groups for their time and effort in making these applications. However there were a number of fundamental weaknesses in each application, particularly in relation to the nature of the proposed programme schedule in each case. In this regard none of the programming proposals were in accordance with the Commission´s Community Radio Policy. A detailed feedback report will be issued to each group in the coming weeks".
3. Advertisement of Expressions of Interest in Community and Community of Interest Services
The Commission will tomorrow (June 30th) place advertisements in the national and regional press seeking expressions of interest in the provision of eighteen community and community of interest radio services nationally. This phase incorporates the beginning of the re-licensing process for thirteen existing community and community of interest franchise areas, in addition to seeking expressions of interest in the provision of five new community-based services in Charleville, Claremorris, Knock, Shannon and Sligo town. Commenting on the process Michael O´Keeffe, CEO said: "The launch of this expressions of interest phase is in line with commitments given by the Commission as part of their policy on radio licensing announced earlier this year. We anticipate that the licensing processes will be completed by the end of 2006."
The Commission has produced a Guideline document to assist groups in making their expressions of interest. The closing date for receipt of expressions is Monday 8th August.
Media Queries to:
Catherine Logan or Aoife Clabby
Fleishman-Hillard BCI
01-618 8462 01-6441200