152a/00

20 October 2000

The Radio Authority's public interest test on The Storm (West Midlands) Ltd's application for the West Midlands regional licence closes on Monday, 13 November 2000 and not on 5 November as previously stated in press release 152/00 (dated 17 October).

The Radio Authority is inviting comments as The Storm (West Midlands) Ltd's, a wholly owned subsidiary of GWR Group plc, proposed coverage area would significantly overlap with two other GWR Group plc’s services, namely Beacon FM and Classic Gold WABC, both of which broadcast in Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury and Telford.

Under the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1996, a company cannot own two overlapping FM radio services unless the Authority determines that the proposed arrangement could not be expected to operate against the public interest.

The Authority is seeking comments on whether the granting of this licence to this applicant, should it be favoured for a licence award, could be expected to operate against the public interest. The Authority will consider the following matters:

• if the licence were awarded to The Storm (West Midlands) Ltd, would it lead to a reduction in plurality of ownership in Independent Local Radio services in the West Midlands, and if so would that reduction be against the public interest;
• would there be an effect on the range of programmes available on Independent Radio in the area;
• would there be less diversity in the sources of information available in the area, or
• less diversity in the sources of opinions expressed on the radio in the area.

The Radio Authority welcomes comments on these matters. These should be sent in writing to the Assistant Secretary - Licensing, The Radio Authority, Holbrook House, 14 Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5DG, to arrive by Monday, 13 November 2000 at the latest.

1. The Public Interest Test submission received by the Authority from The Storm (West Midlands) Ltd. is available for public viewing in the Central Libraries in Birmingham (local studies library), Wolverhampton (reference section), and Walsall (reference section), and by appointment at the Radio Authority's office in London.
2. The Storm (West Midlands) Ltd's is one of twelve applicants applying for the West Midlands regional licence. The details of all those applying are listed in press release 116/00 (dated 22 August 2000). All twelve applications are also available for public scrutiny in the Central Libraries in Birmingham (local studies library), Wolverhampton (reference section), and Walsall (reference section), and at the Radio Authority's office in London.
3. The Radio Authority is responsible for licensing and regulating Independent Radio in accordance with the statutory requirements of the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996. It plans frequencies, awards licences, regulates programming and advertising, and plays an active role in the discussion and formulation of policies which affect the Independent Radio industry and its listeners.