The Radio Authority has confirmed the timetable for the advertisement of the third Independent National Radio (INR3) licence.
The INR3 licence, for a speech-based service, will be advertised by this December at the latest. The closing date will be three months later, with a decision likely in the Spring of 1994. 51% of programming airtime in any period of three consecutive hours throughout the broadcasting day must be speech.
The Authority has also confirmed that at the same time as re-advertising the FM and AM licences currently held by Capital Radio in March 1994, it intends to offer two new FM licences for London coverage (to be effective from mid-1995) and at least one new AM licence, subject to national and international frequency clearances. Recent unsuccessful applicants will be able to reapply.
The existing local licences for Brixton Thamesmead and Haringey are being re-advertised as planned this month. However, the Hounslow & Ealing licence currently held by Sunrise Radio, which expires at the end of 1994, will not be re-advertised. The service for Asian listeners will be available through one of the recently awarded London licences.
The existing Birmingham FM licence currently held by Buzz FM will be re-advertised next month. At the same time, a new AM licence will be re-advertised, making use of the BBC Radio WM frequency which will be surrendered in October 1994.
Areas remaining to be advertised for planned new licences are: Chesterfield, Craigavon, Darlington, Heads of Welsh Valleys, Mid-Ulster, Southwold, Tunbridge Wells/Sevenoaks, Workington/Whitehaven and Chichester & Bognor Regis.
Radio Authority 071 430 2724
