Press Releases 2006
BCI ANNOUNCES RADIO AND TELEVISION LICENSING DECISIONS
21st February 06
The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has today (February 22nd) announced the following decisions with regard to the licensing of further radio and television services.
Television Services
The following licences have been awarded in principle further to Section 41 (Cable/MMD content contract) of the Broadcasting Act, 2001. Approval is subject to successful conclusion of contract negotiations with the Commission.
| Franchise Area | Proposed Station Name | Company Name & Address | Contact Name and Phone Number |
| Galway | City Channel (Galway ) | City Channel Limited , Communications House, 2 Belmont Court, Donnybrook, Dublin 4. |
Mr. David Harvey Tel: 01 2600123 Email: oreilly@city.ie |
| South East Region | City Channel (Waterford / South East) |
City Channel Limited , Communications House, 2 Belmont Court, Donnybrook, Dublin 4. |
Mr. David Harvey Tel: 01 2600123 Email: oreilly@city.ie |
Both new services will broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will offer niche programming of special interest to the inhabitants of their respective franchise areas. Programming will including lifestyle subjects such as Motoring, Property, Local Government, Youth culture, Shopping and Travel in addition to transport and weather updates and other info rmational topics for the regions. Programming will also be provided in other languages to provide for the multi-cultural communities in the region.
Both services will be carried on the NTL digital cable and MMD platforms in their franchise areas.
Community Radio Services
The Commission considered applications from two applicant groups at their board meeting; Claremorris Community Radio Limited and Sligo Leader Partnership Company Limited. The Commission has decided to call Claremorris Community Radio Limited to a private oral hearing for the franchise area of Claremorris town and environs. All details will be made publicly available on request. Following completion of the hearings, a report will be presented to the Board of the Commission for determination as to whether the group should be awarded a licence.
The Commission has decided not to approve the application received from Sligo Le ade r Partnership Company Radio limited for the franchise area of Sligo Town and Environs. The Commission was of the view that the submission did not comply with the requirements for the provision of a community radio service under the BCI’s Community Radio Policy.
Commenting on the applications, Chief Executive Michael O’Keeffe said: “We are delighted to announce the licensing decision with regard to City Channel which now sees the service extending and tailoring its offering to both Galway and Waterford . We look forward to progressing the licensing process further with Claremorris Community Radio and hope to reach an outcome in this regard in the near future”.
-Ends-
For further information please contact:
Catherine Logan or Aoife Clabby
Fleishman Hillard BCI
01 6188429