Radio Ownership Rules May Be Relaxed

Speculation is mounting that the Government is considering relaxing the proposed rules on radio ownership as laid out in the Draft Communications Bill.

Paul Brown, chief executive of the Commercial Radio Companies Association (CRCA) has confirmed that his organisation met with Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, earlier this week in a private meeting to discuss the issue.

The controversy surrounds the proposed rule that there must be three independent radio stations, plus the BBC in every region. Critics have argued that this would suffocate the market, leaving radio operators to compete for the middle ground.

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport is yet to make an official announcement but it is understood the rules will be relaxed, allowing just two independent radio stations plus the BBC in each region.

Brown has been fiercely critical of the proposals, commenting: “It is clear that within the proposed more liberal cross-media environment, radio’s progress and ability to deliver consumer choice will be hampered by the draft bill. We are not surprised at the review’s finding that the government’s current proposals risk having precisely the opposite impact from what ministers intend.”

Heavyweight players Capital and GWR have also protested vehemently over the bill, which many in the industry believe will over-regulate the radio sector.

CRCA: 020 7306 2603 www.crca.co.uk

DCMS: 020 7211 6200 www.culture.gov.uk

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