INR2 Licence Advertised

The Radio Authority yesterday invited applications for the second Independent National Radio Licence (INR2), which will be broadcast on the AM frequency.

Applicants are allowed to specify the content of the INR2 service themselves, with the only limitation being that it must be different from the INR1 service. It cannot, therefore, be a predominantly classical music service.

The Broadcasting Act also requires the service to “consist of a diversity of programmes calculated to appeal to a variety of tastes and interests”.

INR 2 will use the frequencies 1197 and 1215 kHz which are currently used by BBC Radio 3. The new service is expected to cover 85% of the UK population during daylight hours.

The licence will be awarded to the highest bidder, although the Radio Authority will carry out stronger financial checks to avoid a repeat of the INR1 fiasco.

The closing date for applications is February 4 1992, when the Authority will publish the names of all applicants and the amount of their bids.

The successful applicant will also have to pay an annual licence fee of £645000 to the Authority.

It is expected that the bids will be mainly for music services, with Capital Radio a likely contender.