London ILR Applications
Of the existing London radio stations whose licences have been re-advertised LBC looks to be facing the strongest competition from rival consortiums. Yesterday the Radio Authority received a total of 48 applications for 8 ILR licences covering the London area, 21 of these were for the 4 FM franchises and 27 were for the 4 AM franchises.
5 consortiums placed a bid for both an FM and AM licence, 2 of these pose a threat to LBC. The London Radio Company, a consortium involving Associated Newspapers, Reuters, ITN, SelecTV and GWR, is proposing a news and current affairs format on FM and a sports and entertainments channel on AM. London News radio is headed by Peter Thornton, a former LBC managing director, and proposes an all news format on FM and a news and talk format on AM.
2 other groups also threaten LBC with bids for an AM licence. The City Talk Consortium aims to provide a finance and business format as does London Business Radio. LBC’s Michael Franklin told MediaTel that with the company’s very strong track record in both audience figures and balance sheets, it is confident in its application to retain its existing licences. Jazz FM is also facing competition from a rival bidder for an FM licence. Euro Jazz (London) Ltd, a subsidiary of Euro Jazz Europe, is proposing a 100% jazz format. Malcolm Laycock, director of the European station, told MediaTel his output would be unlike Jazz FM, which he claims has sold out to other types of music resulting in a large audience drop. Euro Jazz aims to concentrate on blue note catalogues from the 50’s onwards and would keep its costs down by using a London jazz club as its base.
A number of applications were submitted proposing an adult music format. Music FM would target 25-40 year olds with a melodic rock format with a bias towards a female audience. It is a joint venture between Trans World Communications and CLT which holds an 80% shareholding in Atlantic 252. London Rock Radio proposes adult orientated rock with an emphasis on album music. It would also target 25-40 year olds.
South London Radio, also known as Choice FM holders of the ILR licence in the Brixton area, submitted a bid proposing a modern soul music and swing beat format. Targetting 15-35 year olds it would not play rave or techno and is therefore not seen as direct competition to Kiss FM. It also aims to reapply for Choice’s licence when it is advertised shortly.
2 sports-based consortiums were among the bidders for the AM licences, the London Sports Radio Consortium and London Sports Radio Ltd.
Radio Barking is proposing a general entertainment format with an emphasis on comedy, it is releasing further details about its application later today.
Other applications included 3 FM bids proposing a country music format, 2 AM bids for a female orientated format, 15 bids proposing services for ethnic communities, 1 bid to provide a religous format for the Christian community and 1 bid to provide a travel information service. As predicted all the existing licence holders have re-applied to retain their franchises.
The Radio Authority hopes to award the 8 London licences to the successful applicants in September.