Radio Authority Replaces Its Promises Of Performance With Formats

The Radio Authority announced today that it is to replace its Promises Of Performance with Formats as a means of regulating commercial radio output. The replacement is set to begin in February, on a region to region basis, starting with the London commercial radio stations.

The Formats are expected to set out more clearly and concisely the essential character and direction of each radio station, and are announced following extensive consultation having been undertaken by the RA. Rather than being set out on several pages as the original Promises Of Performance have been in the past, the new Formats will define the character and direction of a station in one over-arching sentence or paragraph.

According to head of programming at the RA, Martin Campbell: “The Format will allow the stations more scope to make changes within their remit boundaries – but those boundaries will still be there in order to ensure that the interests of listeners are protected.”

The watchdog announced last July at the Birmingham Radio Festival that it intended to reassess its Promise Of Performance (see Newsline), and denies that the consultation was prompted by pressure from commercial radio owners for a ‘lighter touch’ type of regulation. A spokesperson from the radio regulator told Newsline today that although Formats will not be as concerned with the percentage of certain records played, it still intends to remain firm on the definition of the character and direction of radio stations.

The Radio Authority has also pledged to make the award of radio licences a more open and transparent procedure after coming under attack late last year over the way in which it awarded its licences (see Newsline).

Radio Authority: 0171 430 2724