Call For Longer Radio Licences

The Radio Authority has told the government it would like to see longer licences for commercial radio companies, to give the industry more stability. The Authority believes that the present eight year licences are too short to give an adequate return on investment.

It also wants the government to look at anomalies in the way television and radio are treated under the 1990 Broadcasting Act. After six years, television companies are able to apply for a licence extension, which if accepted, can then run for a further 14 years. Radio licences are one-off licences that have to be re-advertised.

Radio Authority 071 430 2724.