[LenGroat]

Radio Today reports:

As the deadline for Ofcom's Digital Britain consultation closes, RadioCentre is calling on the Government to offer greater flexibility to Commercial Radio stations on how and where they produce local content. “Greater flexibility would enable them to serve listeners better,” the industry body says.

“These changes are particularly important for smaller stations, which offer a vital local service for communities but need greater freedom to re-organise their operations in order to face up to the challenges of the digital age.”

RadioCentre response urges Ofcom to move quickly to implement some of the specific changes that are being considered. These include measures enabling stations to focus on content that is most valued by listeners, such as local news and information, in return for a reduction in the quota of locally produced hours for other content. It also supports the greater flexibility for stations to co-locate or share programming in new local regions, but recognises that this will require a change in legislation that is expected as part of the Digital Economy Bill.

Earlier this year, the former GMG Radio chief executive John Myers also urged Ofcom to concentrate on how much local output a local station provides, rather than where it is based.

These 'recomendations'/pressures from the radio industry are ALL to do with MONEY, and nothing to do with QUALITY of service or its localness. They started in 1995 but have got British 'local radio' NOWHERE. Surely it's time for Ofcom to do the OPPOSITE and make them face up to being LOCAL radio, in LOCATION as well as on their idents or jingles?

RELEVANCE: If this goes through there will be even LESS to talk about in this Forum.

[IainJohnstonMember]

Should be noted that “RadioCentre” (formerly the CRCA, which was supposed to represent the ILR “contractors” (as they were once known) as a whole, has been the subject of recent discussion at Digital Spy and also today at RadioToday where UTV Radio have withdrawn from RC and now effectively consider that RadioCentre is now simply “the political wing” of Global Radio…

[barrydavidallanbda]

Ofcom need to be stronger , make these stations work harder … too many ILR stations

[ah-mediaMember]

The problem with OFCOM is that it is the evil bastard child of a number of organisations. Where you once had the ITC (for TV), Radio Authority and OFTEL (Telco Regulator) you have one all encompassing toothless inbred.

There is no focus on radio because it's a small part of a bigger organisation.

OK, so the Radio Authority got a lot of stick but at least the radio industry had it's own regulator that could wield a bit of stick if needed – now someone says boo to OFCOM it just lies down.

I work with other areas of OFCOM on a regular basis (mainly Telco regualations) and they're just as weak there… Maybe it's time to split them back into their specialist areas?

OK, rant over.. more coffee please Matron!

[IainJohnstonMember]

There was a story not long back about someone who phoned OFCOM to make a complaint about technical problems with DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting, for non-UK members) radio reception in their area.

When responding to the phrase “DAB Multiplex“, the member of OFCOM staff handling public calls couldn't understand why the caller was asking OFCOM about their local CINEMA…

The case for the Prosecution rests, M'Lud…

[barrydavidallanbda]

I gave Ofcom a call “radio problem ” and they couldnt work out which dept I needed.. then they took my number ..I never got a return call..whats the point of them…bring back the IBA… that would kill off the radio suits who think they are bigger than the system..

..The only time ofcom step up a gear, this is from my hospital radio days ..if there is a complaint with the output of the station they want the logging tapes NOW !!!!

[torby]

Wixy1360 wrote:
There was a story not long back about someone who phoned OFCOM to make a complaint about technical problems with DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting, for non-UK members) radio reception in their area.

When responding to the phrase “DAB Multiplex“, the member of OFCOM staff handling public calls couldn't understand why the caller was asking OFCOM about their local CINEMA…

The case for the Prosecution rests, M'Lud…

made me laugh…but sadly…the state of play

[Author]

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