Radio Authority Publishes 1997 Annual Report for RSLs

The award of the Radio Authority’s 2000th Restricted Service License has today coincided with the release of it’s annual report on RSLs. Radio Avalon broadcasts it’s service for the Glastonbury Festival from today, providing health and welfare information for festival-goers, as well as interviews, news and reviews.

Key points from the RA’s 1997 Report were as follows:

ˇ A record number of RSLs were awarded in this year, representing an 8% rise from 1996.

ˇ Greater London had the most RSLs broadcast in its area (34), followed by West Yorkshire (27), Greater Manchester (21), the West Midlands (18) and Glasgow (14).

ˇ Two-thirds of the licences were for the purpose of covering special events (e.g. religious and arts festivals, sporting events, educational projects).

ˇ A third of licences were issued as a ‘trial’ service, the aim being to gain support and test the market before applying for an eight-year licence (assuming there was an appropriate licence available).

ˇ 30 digital RSLs were used. Experiments with digital radio continued through the year shared between London (2), Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

ˇ The licence fee based on duration was introduced with a ‘daily rate’ available. The cheaper price for short periods began in September 1997. Prior to this RSLs were charged depending upon waveband and power levels.

Radio Authority: 0171 430 2724.