Amateur Radio

I know I wrote on the thorny issue of funding of community radio in the past, but here we go again … The financial structure, the community radio stations operating under must be very unfair, I suppose, are a difficult financial community radio licensees more aware of the problem in general also. OFCOM must sit down and take note of this and start as the field for the community radio sector in difficulty level. OFCOM is the agency that regulates the medium of radio in the UK and as such works of the law against them. The Community Radio from 2004 is the source of restrictions on the financing of the Community Radio, and it seems that these restrictions have been achieved (at least partially) to affect the revenues of the other stations in a given area. While this may be useful as already in 2004 by the legislature, it ignores a number of fundamental questions in 2011.

Why the restriction is to protect the potential for income for community radio only to the companies that manage large networks PLC radio?

This gives OFCOM (a tool of the government) the right to financial control to protect and benefit the same limitation that affects only a small group of directors / shareholders of these companies?

If OFCOM tell the difference between commercial radio and community radio in 2011 compared with 2001, why OFCOM still think it is right to protect the commercial radio at the expense of community radio?

The radio landscape has changed

The landscape of commercial radio is full of private companies and manages the API. The environment in which they operate in is competitive, hard and unforgiving. So much so, that is the consolidation in recent times was that these stations have dramatically has changed even since 2004. A change in the nature of individual stations has meant that the ministries of local programs exist even more. As a result, is not obliged gone past the local character of the act. So they can still local sales team is the most important source for their business regionally or nationally. In fact I would bet it would not be long until local sales team on commercial radio is also a thing of the past. It is a known fact that commercial radio, are primarily large groups with more competition at the national, not locally owned. They aim to provide the sales and programming to do. An obsession is in the middle of the nineties to early roots, when it became clear that large networks insisted that Radio 1′s main competitor and nothing else mattered was. Today on commercial radio is nothing more than a jukebox on a large scale advertising campaign and cheaper (1800-2400) will cost about 1000. So the idea that all commercial radio stations is to be damaged financially by the community radio simply an assertion ridiculous and unfair. Before you think you might not be affected by this situation, there is no community radio, which is able to earn more than 50% of their revenue from advertising or sponsorship. Some stations can not all revenue from this source to earn all the other stations are placed in between. Not only do you then keep trying the funding elsewhere to cover the deficit. So the only conclusion you can draw from this is that the restrictions be imposed on the channels on your ability to make money is to protect simple to the directors and shareholders of commercial radio with no restrictions placed protect them at all about you. If the real world of community radio stations were to take a market share of any advertising, promotional items would be most affected by the local newspaper.

Now I’m no marketing expert, but I know that if I am a radio station, I can offer a new advertising medium for local businesses. Advertisers would have probably given previously in the local newspaper, rather than on commercial radio known … why? You can not afford commercial radio and on the other hand, commercial radio will not simply about the club butcher, a hairdresser or suitability of their positions because they “want big sound more” than that. However, local businesses critical to the success of community radio stations. So it is clear that community radio advertising revenue source is very different than the source of income covered by commercial radio. That being the case, there is an argument very, very difficult to get rid of the absurd idea that commercial radio in the financial community radio should be protected. They are completely different company in a completely different market. I just can not understand how it is morally right, the rules that clearly protects the revenues of both companies and radio LTD PLC, whose revenues are measured in millions of pounds. This regulation at the expense of the poorest and smallest in the industry. Commercial radio in a free market and must be able to compete fully on their merits and do quite well in this respect. The degree of success is another matter and should not be a problem for community radio in 2011. Be very clear on one thing, the financial constraints imposed on the community radio no benefit to anyone other than the directors very, very rich and the shareholders of the remaining commercial radio OFCOM is to regulate existing and new stations, community radio, in my opinion to not consider the changing face of the industry as a whole. But over the years, they seem already in their commitment to a strong position, and only for the regulation of commercial radio in general maintain weak. You have to relax for the initial operator, defended the rules soon after the sale. Exactly how the values ??of the local commercial radio over the years have gone look. It would not have happened if not OFCOM allow it to be done. You use this argument to defend the deregulation, but also refuses to see the obvious problems caused in the community radio through the strict application of financial rules unfair.

A good idea?

Perhaps it would be a good idea for community radio licensees to come together and fight their corner is correct. A unique voice that is strong and persistent, is the best way forward. Why should you limit your source of income for private companies to protect? Why should you be in a position where you can not develop as a company, because of fear that others may not be able to develop simple, because there you have? Why, has in a free market economy with rules that are outdated and unfair, and for the welfare of others and do not comply? If you read the law, you will find this feature of community broadcasting in the College of Community Radio found in 2004. “Community radio uses the gains in the provision of services is fully and exclusively for securing or improving the future provision of the service or the delivery of social benefit to the public or community service, which will be produced to serve,” You do not need to the flow of income in the community radio station to be limited there. In fact, when the station, as much as possible, inevitably, their market is small (a restriction in itself) deserve to be and shall apply the above provisions is to enable, the radio stations a much bigger impact in the community they serve, as they currently offer a much better quality of programming and allocation of resources that could really benefit the community.

How can this happen? Sometimes, without restrictions on the sales but no profits invested in the station. The local community radio is local and is the most important thing. He serves his community in a way that does not work, the commercial radio. The quality of programming has to improve significantly, and that must be addressed now. This can not be done if the ridiculous restrictions, such as community radio is to earn their place. It is possible that if the money is there to reinvest in the first place.

Terry Doyle is a professional radio with a level of know-how to help you on your station a success. Programming tips, coaching and development for the presenter format your new station. If you want to have a conversation on the radio in general, simply contact. Redirecting E-mail on my laptop so I can respond immediately.