Radio Regulation Holds Back Creativity, Says GWR Group

Current regulation is holding back creativity in the commercial radio market, according to the GWR Group, which owns Classic FM and 37 local licences. In response to a consultation on strategy for Oftel submitted last Friday, the group said that greater flexibility was needed to innovate and develop new services.

Current regulation, which sets out programme formats for local stations at the start of their licence period, is not flexible enough to allow for changing tastes. GWR added that there was no need for two regulators in taste and decency – the Radio Authority and the Broadcasting Standards Commission -, and that the digital radio revolution should be the opportunity for radical changes.

Simon Cooper, GWR director of policy and public affairs, said: “Content regulation has, in some cases, put existing stations into format straitjackets and relied on new stations to serve new developments in public preference. These new stations are usually less financially stable than existing players and less able to reach the developing audience.”

The group cited Classic FM as a good example of what can be achieved through lighter regulation. Its licence was awarded as a result of a cash bid process instead of through particular programme output, and thus it does not have to adhere to a promise of performance or format.

Self-regulation groups such as the Radio Advertising Clearance Centre and the role of digital radio multiplex owners, who choose their own programme services, show that the medium is ready to have the responsibility to regulate itself.

“Any industry that has developed sufficient sophistication needs to take full responsibility for its relationship with consumers.” said Cooper.

The chief executive of the group earlier in the year called for a relaxation in the rules concerning radio ownership (see GWR Chief Calls For Relaxation Of Radio Regulation).

GWR Group: 020 7284 3000