WXTC launched tonight on 91.6MHz in Dublin. The station, who have been supplying radio on demand over the internet for the past few months, plan to run live programming in the evenings on Thursdays, Fridays and Mondays and all day at weekends. Work is continuing on their studio and if all goes to plan live broadcasts will commence on Sunday morning at 9am.

Tanaiste Mary Harney has given the go-ahead for the £31m takeover of County Media by UTV under national mergers and takeovers legislation. Last Monday, the Irish Radio and Television Commission blocked the bid because it ran contrary to their policy on local and diverse ownership within the broadcast sector - including the IRTC's 27% ownership guideline. Both County Media and UTV have issued statements saying they are awaiting clarification of the decision from the IRTC before deciding their next moves. County Media owns three radio stations in Co Cork, 96FM, County Sound North in Mallow and County Sound West in Bandon.

The appeal against the award of the youth licence to Spin FM for Dublin City and County was unanimously rejected by the Supreme Court today. Storm FM were one of three unsuccessful applicants for the licence. They claimed that there had been an "objective bias" against one of it's members on the part of IRTC member, Dr Colm Kenny. After the ruling the IRTC said it would now meet with representatives of Spin FM to begin contract negotiations.

Radio Caroline's satellite-delivered service will be on air every weekday evening from February 8th. The new Wednesday spot will feature Tom Anderson and Rob Harrison. Other presenters rejoining from the station's past are Chris Kennedy, Dave Owen, Bob Lawrence and Stevie Gordon. Radio Caroline have been given notice that their Astra 19°E channel is due to be switched off shortly - almost certainly on the 31st of March. They are now searching for a new analogue transponder to cover Europe.

Source: Mike Terry

Phantom Worldwide faces a further delay as work still needs to be completed before live programming can go on air.

Griff FM are running test transmissions on 106.8MHz in Dublin today. The station have been granted a temporary licence by the IRTC to broadcast from Monday and will start at 8am.

Freak FM, on 105.2MHz from Mallow in Cork, have ceased broadcasting as a result of studio problems. They plan a return as soon as they locate a new studio.

Sky Radio has ceased it's analogue service on Astra at 19°East and replaced the transmission with a digital service. The station was one of Europe's first and longest running satellite delivered radio stations, metamorphasizing out of the Cable One station which began broadcasting from Hammersmith in West London in the 1980's. Sky Radio is run by Ton Lathouwers, who began his carrer as a DJ on Radio Caroline in the late 1980's and who was shipwrecked when the Mi Amigo sank off Essex in March 1980. It is now also available on FM in the Netherlands as a result of a successful legal challenge in the Dutch Courts in 1995. It has been the most listened to radio station in the Netherlands for over 5 years and has consistantly adhered to a format of non-stop light rock and pop without DJs - the one exception being former Radio North Sea International DJ Jan Van Veen who hosts the weekly 'Candlelight' programme. Although Sky Radio is still technically a British radio station., It operates from state of the art studios at Naarderpoort in Holland. Among its shareholders are News International and Lex Harding.

Source: Mike Terry

The ABC originated relays of Premier FM on 94.3MHz and 87.6MHz are off the air this evening. Gem 88FM - on 88.1MHz - were on a blank carrier for a short period tonight. WXTC - new to 91.6MHz - finished the day on a blank carrier.

County Media and UTV may apply to the High Court for a judicial review of a decision by the Independent Radio and Television Commission (IRTC) not to allow the takeover bid by UTV for County Media to go ahead. The companies are likely to seek the judicial review within weeks. On Monday, the IRTC decided not to allow the 100% purchase by UTV because they favour local ownership plus their guidelines only allow 27% ownership by an existing media company in another licensed station. However, on Thursday, Tanaiste Mary Harney gave her approval to the deal. A letter to County Media from the IRTC on Friday appeared to hold out an olive branch to the company, indicating that "the door remains open" for the UTV deal. The letter reiterated that a full review of IRTC ownership guideline policies will take place in April. "We have indicated a number of positive things to them and we hope that having reflected on that they would be in a position to reactivate a proposal with us," chief executive of the IRTC, Michael O'Keeffe said. Despite the letter, County Media is understood to believe that a challenge through the courts remains it's only option.

Storm FM's court case and appeal against the awarding of Dublin's youth licence to a rival bidder may cost the consortium about £160,000. A discussion on the awarding of costs will take place in court this Thursday and the IRTC will be seeking costs for both actions. Storm Fm have made no comment on the decision not to overturn the award until they study the judgement in full.

In this week's issue: Stations off the air and an update on the story RDR Vs Pirate Radio. Click here for this week's issue.

Power FM in Cork are back on air with test transmissions on 106.4MHz. Live programming is planned soon. Reception reports are requested at powerfmcork@hotmail.com.

The Radio Caroline website reports that broadcasting legend Tony Allan is seriously ill in the Royal Free Hospital in London. Best remembered here in Ireland for his time at Radio Nova, Tony has also worked with Radio Caroline and R.N.I. The report on the website says that he wants no visitors at this time but he is feeling lonely and they ask that anyone who remembers him might send a card, letter or gift to their London offices.

Source: Alex Jenkins

XFM, the long-running alternative radio station broadcasting to Dublin on 107.9MHz, have launched a new-look website. it can be viewed at www.isis.ie/xfm/.

Source: Sean Hyland

The Dutch cabinet has approved plans for a summer auction of commercial radio frequencies. This forms part of the reorganisation of all domestic broadcasting frequencies in The Netherlands which is sheduled to start taking effect from September 1st 2001. The new frequency scheme will allow for eight national commercial stations on FM, one of which will be a news station. In addition, there will be 59 licences for regional and local commercial radio on FM and also 14 AM licences. Applicants may receive no more than two national FM licences and it will also be possible to apply for an FM and AM licence.

Source: Mike Terry

Power FM have contacted Radiowaves to say that the recent problems that have interrupted broadcasts on FM and the web are now behind them. Power FM can be heard on 97.2MHz and at http://live.powerfm.org/asx/powerlive.asx. Kiss FM on 105.8MHz were on a blank carrier this morning. Programming returned in the afternoon. The distortion which has affected the Premier FM relays for the past few days on 94.3MHz and 87.6MHz has been cleared up.

Oliver Barry, Century Radio co-founder, today said that he could not recollect telling his business partner, James Stafford, that there was a 'price list' in operation for the award of radio licences. Stafford told the Tribunal last year that Barry had said that Minister for Communications Ray Burke and government press secretary P.J. Mara were operating on a licences for cash basis and there was a price list in operation referring to everything from national television licences to local radio licences. Stafford had said that he learned this several months before the company applied for a national radio licence.

The IRTC are inviting applications for five community radio stations in different localities. They are Dublin South-East; Celbridge in Co Kildare; North Co Cork; Cashel in Co Tipperary and Knock in Co Mayo. A community of interest licence will also be offered to the student community in Waterford. Applicants are requested to contact the IRTC from tomorrow.

The UK's Radiocommunications Agency has successfully prosecuted two South Yorkshire men for illegal broadcasting contrary to the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. Nigel Phillip Lowman, aged 33 and Everton Harper, aged 32, both admitted broadcasting a radio station by the name of Bounce FM without a licence from a premises in Sheffield. Each man was fined £100 and ordered to pay costs of £50. Radiocommunications Agency officers monitored broadcasting in the Sheffield area and traced unauthorised signals to the premises in Scotia Drive. Having obtained a search warrant and, accompanied by the police, they entered the premises on 25th August last year and seized several items of radio apparatus. The Court has ordered that these items should now be forfeited to the Radiocommunications Agency.

Source: Mike Terry

DMR FM, who broadcast automated dance music to Dublin on 97.8MHz, spent most of today on a blank carrier. They returned this evening.

Power FM in Cork were asked to cease broadcasting by the ODTR on Wednesday evening. The station have complied with the request and will not be returning.

Sun FM were on a blank carrier this morning. They can be heard on 101.3MHz in Dublin. The Premier FM relays on 87.6MHz and 94.3MHz were off air all day.

The UK's longest-running land-based unlicensed radio station have said that they may voluntarily close on the 25th February. On air since 1968, Radio Free London can be heard every Sunday on 819kHz medium wave in London and on 5805kHz short wave. The decision to close is due to internal disputes and dissatisfaction at the direction the station was going.

Source: Mike Terry

DMR FM, on 97.8MHz in Dublin, were on a blank carrier early this evening for a short time.

Kiss FM in Limerick have been off air on their 106.0MHz frequency for the past few days. Their 106.3MHz transmissions continue as normal.

Country 106.8FM, one of the applicants for the special interest FM music licence for Dublin, will be a music-driven service but part of their planned schedule will offer Dubliners something slightly different from the norm. 'The Good News Show', is a community-based daily news programme "which will serve as a foil to the emphasis on the negative...currently on the airwaves. An integral part of The Good News Show will be the 'Good News Only' slot. Each morning the presenter will actively seek 'good news' stories from the people of Dublin and promote positive thinking and action amongst our audience". There would then be a one minute reprise of the "Best News I Heard Today" aired throughout the day.

The station also has a unique way of meeting their Irish language commitment. Irish phrases will be easily integrated into the presentation style of the station rather than forcing the language upon listeners. As well as a daily bilingual programme, everyday phrases would be introduced seamlessly into the presenter's links in a fun way.

Country 106.8FM claims that research shows that Country & Irish music is the most popular genre not yet catered for on Dublin's airwaves. Pop and Easy Listening are the two most popular genres amongst Dublin radio listeners and in third place is Country & Irish, the station claims.

One of the stations applying for the religious medium wave licence to serve Dublin city and county claims that if it wins the award it will highlight issues concerning the poor and powerless in society. Founded in Italy four years ago, Radio Maria is run on a a non-profit basis with sister stations in 26 countries worldwide. In Dublin, the station would broadcast 24 hours per day using live material during daytime hours and pre-recorded material at night. The station is funded by donations and run by volunteers.

Dublin city centre phone services crashed earlier this week and the blame lies at 98FM's door. The station had been running a competition requiring listeners to ring the station when they heard three songs in a row. The 98th caller stood to win £10,000. The large volume of calls generated caused network congestion in some parts of the city. Although there was a special competition number which would've handled the volume of calls, many listeners called 98FM's main station number when the songs were aired at 3.30pm on Thursday.

The ABC 94FM frequency of 94.3MHz is today on a blank carrier following a period off air since Friday. The frequency had been carrying a Premier FM relay.

In this week's issue: Stations off the air, a photo of a real Rhode and Schwartz transmitter and the Dutch Pirate Radio Site of the Week. Click here for this week's issue.

Kiss FM's 106.0MHz is presently off the air because thieves stole their transmitters in Newcastlewest last Wednesday at 1.10am.

Source: Countrybob

An afternoon phone-show, news at a unique time and interactive requests are some of the ideas Classic Rock 106.8FM, if awarded a specialist FM licence, plan to introduce to Dublin listeners. Rock Music from the sixties to today to a targetted 20 - 44 years aged market will make up 75% of the station's output, speech the other 25%. Planned programming includes a phone-in show to the capital between 3pm and 6pm daily. Described as similar to BBC Radio 2's Steve Wright Show, listeners will be able to ring up and chat to studio guests. Weekday evenings the station plan to run an hour of 70's music at 7pm, an hour of 80's at 8pm and an hour of 90's at 9pm. Each Monday - Thursday will also feature specialist programming. Their commitment to the Irish language will, in the main, be focussed on a bilingual show every Sunday afternoon but the station plan a 24-hour interactive 'side-channel' in Irish on their website which will have English subtitles. Uniquely, the station will offer hourly news and sport at 8 minutes to the hour rather than on the hour as is the norm. On their nightly request show, listeners will have the opportunity to select songs from the playlist, choose the time and day it is played and have an email sent to inform a friend when the song will be played. In their application the station says that "the music and programming which Classic Rock proposes will respond, reflect on and entertain in contrast to any other offering. The format which the station proposes will be the most eclectic, the most democratic, the most daring and the liveliest of all formats."

A teenager attempting to set up a radio station fell two floors to his death at a towerblock in North London last week after trying to climb through some railings. A post mortem revealed he died before hitting the ground, most likely smashing his head into a metal cage. The DTI were out this Sunday and hit every unlicensed station in London. It has been suggested there is a link between these two events.

Source: Lex van Dijken

WXTC - on 91.6FM in Dublin - were on a blank carrier overnight. Programming returned this morning.

Mallow's alternative radio station, Freak FM, are back on air following a period of inactivity. Studio problems had forced the station to stop broadcasting but they can now be heard again on their 105.2MHz frequency.

A new station from Mayo planning to broadcast live programming on both FM and Medium Wave will launch over the next couple of months. Radio Connaught are currently in the process of having a studio built and aim to broadcast 24 hours a day on 95MHz FM and 594kHz AM. They will be targetting the 12-35 years age group. "I do feel there is a need for this station," a spokesman told Radiowaves "because in the West only 2FM plays music for the young age group." The station can be contacted at radioconnaught@ireland.com or by telephone 0700 242989.

The United Christian Broadcasters backed Inspire FM would target an over 55 years age group with non-commercial programming if awarded the special interest licence for Dublin. The schedule would be predominantly based on the programming of the existing station 'UCB Inspirational', available at 28.2°East (Sky Digital channel 951) with local opt-outs aimed specifically at Dublin listeners for two hours daily. Musical delights include Country, Traditional, Gospel, Jazz and Easy Listening with plenty of specialist music programming. Careful consideration goes into music selection (from guidelines issued to UCB Inspirational music programmer): "The drums shouldn’t be too intense, or too fast. The mature audience will tolerate the occasional heavy beat...With the guitar, avoid any break that sounds menacing, or has an intense edge to it. A folk guitar is normally fine. With the Saxophone, go for the smooth sound rather than the full-out aggressive style." UCB acknowledge that their bid for a Dublin FM licence is unconventional but they have built a wealth of broadcasting experience with a solid base, something many of the other applicants cannot match. They hope that the ongoing unauthorised re-transmission of their broadcasts throughout Ireland will convince the IRTC of the demand for their programming.

Radio Caroline's station manager Peter Moore has put their current difficulties over loss of satellite transmissions into perspective. "OK, when one of our boats sinks, or 300 feet of mast falls on someone's head, that in Caroline terms is a drama. When we get raided at sea or Ross Revenge breaks adrift and narrowly misses a fifty million pound ship before going aground and obstructing the entrance to a major UK port, that is a nuisance. Getting eight weeks advance notice of having to change satellite channels is no great problem by comparison, so let's all lighten up." Although the station thought that their current transponder on 19.2°East would be operational until the end of June, Flextech TV have decided to switch off the transponder earlier leaving Radio Caroline in need of a new outlet. The station are keeping their options open but may decide to stay with Flextech and take space on 28.2°East. They have confirmed that if they take this option the station would be available free-to-air and tuneable on any digital receiver.

Source: Mike Terry

Power FM, the Cork radio station asked to cease broadcasting by the ODTR last Wednesday evening, has confirmed that it will not be returning to the airwaves. Station manager Max Power told Radiowaves, "Power FM is history and it was fun while it lasted."

WXTC appeared on 105.8MHz - in addition to 91.6 - for a short period tonight. Technical difficulties forced Kiss FM - who are usually on 105.8 - off the air.

DMR FM are being jammed by an operator in Swords who is relaying BBC Radio 1, a spokesperson for the station claimed this evening. They believe that the person responsible for the jamming has a grudge against the station, and particularly Tony Langsford, who recently joined them. DMR, who broadcast to Dublin on 97.8MHz, were on a blank carrier for much of this morning.

WXTC have been marking the 20th anniversary of the Stardust tragedy by playing John Lennon's 'Imagine' at the top of every hour. On Valentine's Night 1981, a fire engulfed the Stardust leaving 48 dead and many maimed or injured. The incident shocked the nation. When it happened, RTE Radio 2 (now 2FM) played 'Imagine' by John Lennon non-stop overnight. At that time the station finished broadcasting every night at 1.50am.

Mad Radio will be off air for a while this afternoon due to antenna maintenance. "The station is not sounding as it should," station manager Michael Masterson told Radiowaves. "Hopefully we will be back on air for DJ Fran's all request love show." Mad Radio can be heard in Dublin city on 93.2MHz.

"We aren't Lite...we're heavy. Where one is tea, we'll be black coffee!" So says CEO Paul Kavanagh of FM 106.8, the City - one of the applicants for the special interest licence for Dublin. Paul adds, "the City will be different in tempo and mix than any other licensed station in Dublin." Based at Windmill Lane and planning to offer contrasting styles to what already exists on air, FM 106.8, the City will be a 'commercial community service' reflecting the spiritual needs and highlighting the social needs of Dubliners. Live until midnight, FM106.8, the City would reflect on the earlier rise of most city dwellers in 2001 by starting the day at 6am with an hour-long news programme. News bulletins throughout the day will be aired at alternative times to those already on air, namely ten minutes to (and twenty minutes past at peak-times) the hour. The breakfast show will be more focussed on music as opposed to the dj chatter which plagues present offerings and the recognised 'drivetime' slot will have limited traffic reports because 'not everybody is driving at that time.' The commitment to Irish language programming will be met at 6am on Sundays with a two hour show and star interviewees will be asked to say something in Irish which will then be packaged and played at other times across the station. Friday nights at 11pm, the City will play a classic album in it's entirety, uninterrupted by presenter or commercials. Indeed, overall, the City's focus will be album music. "We will deliver a station that plays music people don't just like, but love with a passion." FM 106.8, the City would love the opportunity to tap into that passion.

Limerick's Fresh FM has been off air all day today. The station provides DJ free music to the City of Limerick and surrounding areas on 103.3MHz. Kiss FM continues to broadcast intermittently but their programmes have become more constant with less interruptions over the past few days.

Source: Frank Dunne

Jazz FM, if awarded the specialist FM licence for Dublin, will introduce a Jazz, Rhythm 'n' Blues playlist with a laid-back radio style to the capital's airwaves. They plan to be the 'cool and sophisticated' alternative that listeners will boast that they listen to. Jazz FM's schedule would include an afternoon show where listeners ring a dedicated phone number, leave a voice request and have their selection and request played on air. They are also planning on adopting an idea from Jazz FM in England. The 'Jazzworks School Project' is where Jazz artists take part in workshops with second level students, providing concerts and Jazz music history. Workshops for the disadvantaged in the community are also planned. Jazz FM's Irish language commitments will be met with a two hour programme presented by Melanie O'Reilly which will air on Tuesday evenings - and not hidden away in an early Sunday timeslot as is the norm.

Chris Barry has revealed that one of the reasons he left FM104 was because the atmosphere at the station was extremely homophobic. In an interview with Hot Press magazine, Chris - born Ciaran Gaffney - admitted publicly for the first time that he is gay and has been living with his partner Kevin for the last eight years. Speaking of the atmosphere at FM104, Chris says, "You'd walk into a room and they'd be talking about the 'little faggot' on at night." There were also disturbing messages left on his answering machine. He left FM104 in a blaze of publicity and a very public falling out with his employers before joining 98FM.

Two men from London have each been fined £500 for their involvement in pirate radio stations. In separate convictions, Patrick McKenzie of West London and Kim Pham from North London were charged with offences under Section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. In each case, equipment seized by the Radiocommunications Agency was ordered forfeit by the court. McKenzie was on air on Street FM last June when the Radiocommunications Agency traced the broadcast to a premises in London, NW2. With police assistance they entered the premises and seized the broadcasting equipment. McKenzie, 37, pleaded not guilty and was ordered to pay £500 costs by the court. Pham was on air on Rude FM when the Radiocommunications Agency traced their broadcast to a premises in London N9 last August. They entered the studio with police assistance and seized the broadcasting equipment. Pham, 22, who pleaded guilty, was ordered to pay costs of £2,000 by the court.

Source: Mike Terry

If awarded the special interest licence for Dublin, Phantom FM will provide an Alternative Rock service plus an outlet for upcoming Irish artists. The station is already an established favourite in the capital where it has been providing an unlicensed FM service since December 1998, although in order to apply for the licence they have ceased broadcasting on FM. Phantom will have an 80%-20% music-news and current affairs output. Their presenters will be knowledgable about the music scene..."the best radio cannot be decided by a computer or any other automated system." They say they will actively seek out new material rather than being 'spoon-fed' new releases by record companies.

As part of the schedule, there will be current affairs programming offering features for the Gay and Lesbian population as well as advice for students away from home for the first time. Broadcast on Saturday nights, 'Populuxe' will be a programme featuring rare releases and b-sides from well-known artists. The ever popular 'Anorak Hour' will be revamped, becoming 'Media Spotlight' on a Sunday morning. This will follow the station's 'token' half-hour Irish language programme at 9am which will look at rock beyond the Pale. Included throughout the station's schedule will be 15 minute long featurettes including 'Enviro-News' - a look at grassroots organizations and environment tips; 'Job News' - featuring tips and features for job-seekers; 'The Biz' - a look at local music news; 'Let's Active' - focussing on outdoor activities; 'Search for Science' - with scientific facts and breakthroughs. Phantom FM will provide an opportunity for college students to have their documentaries aired in the station's 'Open Circuit' slot.

Phantom FM's application is unique in that there is no involvement from big business figures or major players in other radio stations. The overwhelming sense that those who are involved are doing it for love of music rather than for the sole purpose of making money is difficult to ignore. They are hoping that the decision-makers at the IRTC recognise that this can only be a good thing.

DMR FM, on 97.8MHZ, were on a blank carrier all this morning. Sun FM, on 101.3MHz were on a blank carrier for a period early this morning.

Nova Dance, who can be heard on 94.7MHz in Dublin, were off air for a period this afternoon. They have returned but with a seriously weakened signal. Problems returned to their signal later in the evening. Meanwhile, the station have recently revamped their website. Pay a visit at www.nova947.homepage.com.

X106.8's application for the special interest Dublin FM licence has already caused some controversy as a result of a 40% shareholding from Radio Ireland Ltd, which is against current IRTC ownership guidelines. However, these guidelines may well be changed in April, allowing the X106.8 application to be considered, which would no doubt cause understandable consternation amongst the other applicants.

If X106.8 do get the go-ahead, their focus will be alternative and modern rock aimed at an audience of under 35's with an overall music to speech ratio of 85%-15%. They are seeking exemption from the required 20% news and current affairs but do plan to provide a 'punchy' headline based news service at five minutes to the hour mainly at peak-times. X106.8 will meet their Irish language requirements with a week-nightly new releases show at midnights. Their personality and music-driven breakfast show will be 'up before anyone else' at 5.30am. A commercial-free music-intensive hour is planned for 10am. Saturday night's schedule is given over entirely to non-stop, commercial-free requests via the internet. Dublin's first ever contacts show - Love on the X - is planned for Sunday nights. Using computerised telephone mailboxes, the show will become an interactive contact system. X106.8 say they will actively promote new and unsigned bands with newly recorded sessions and small-scale lunchtime concerts.

If the IRTC can overlook the Radio Ireland shares issue and the opt-out of news/current affairs programming, X106.8 promises to be an exciting addition to the capital's airwaves.

A morning chat show on a licensed community radio station has been forced off the air as a result of pressure from the IRTC. Patrick J Ferguson's magazine-style show aired on Inishowen Community Radio in Donegal from 10am every morning. "Suddenly the I.R.T.C decided to request that my programme be moved to a later slot in the day because they said it was in conflict with a similar type radio show from the commercial sector," Patrick told Radiowaves. "As I work from the afternoon through to the early hours of the morning I could not broadcast the programme at any other time. I believe that a commercial radio station put pressure on the I.R.T.C to request its removal from the morning slot." Patrick has forwarded a letter to all Irish licensed commercial radio stations and the media. The full text can be read by clicking here.

Freedom 92FM will continue to relay the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Sara Cox from tomorrow morning. Following Simon Mayo's departure and a brand new schedule for the UK's national pop station, Sara Cox will be on air between the hours of 7am and 10am. Freedom's programming will then start at 10am each weekday morning. Following the criticism of the station's error during last Friday's final Simon Mayo show for Radio 1 when their automated programming started in the middle of the last link, a spokesman for the station tonight told Radiowaves that he was "gutted" that it had happened and that it was an unfortunate oversight on their part.

Meanwhile, South Dublin and North Wicklow listeners who are unable to receive Freedom 92FM will be able to hear Sara Cox's show for the first time (terrestrially) from tomorrow morning courtesy of a relay from Swirl FM on 95.4FM. Swirl have increased their daily BBC Radio 1 relay hours to take in the full day's new line-up which will include Jo Whiley at 10am, Mark 'n' Lard at 1pm and Chris Moyles from 3pm. Swirl FM's live programming will then take over at 6pm.

Star FM, with a Country music mix, will complete the jigsaw of listener choice in the capital, according to their application for the special interest FM licence for Dublin. They claim that a station playing Classic or Alternative Rock would not increase radio-offered music choice in the Dublin radio market and that the individual musical styles within a single Jazz, Rhythm 'n' Blues station would be too diverse. "Country music, however, is currently only heard to any great extent on the pirate operators Radio Dublin and Kick [sic] FM. No [licensed] station is dedicated to the genre but research demonstrates a passionate audience for the style. A compelling case, therefore, can be made for the establishment of a Country & Irish country music station in the Capital." The station would be live daily from 7am - 10pm with a 75%-25% music-speech ratio. News would be provided on the hour and the day would finish with an hour of Country Music news at 9pm. They have no plans for Irish language programming.

In this week's issue: Stations on and off the air and the Dutch Pirate Radio Site of the Week. Click here for this week's issue.

A brand new RSL radio station using the name Radio Mi-Amigo is set to launch on March 31st from the LV18. The only thing they'll have in common with the former station of the same name will be the offshore nature of their broadcasts. The new Classic Rock station will have an old style 60's/70's feel to their presentation and 200 brand new jingles have already been produced. Radio Mi-Amigo plans to use the medium wave frequency of 1503kHz.

The latest temporary licensed station for Dublin is now on air. On 106.8MHz, Belfield FM take over the frequency from Griff FM who occupied it for the past two weeks.

zerO 106.8, if awarded the specialist FM licence for Dublin, would be a music-driven radio station, primarily aimed at alternative rock music enthusiasts in the 19-39 age group. The strange name is intended as a reflection of the music that will be offered and the disillusionment felt by the target audience towards other radio stations already on air. Music to speech ratio will be 75%-25% and four minutes of news will air at 15 minutes past and 15 minutes to every hour. The station plan a gentle start to the day with The Acoustic Breakfast - "no guitars will be plugged in until 10am." and uniquely for a breakfast programme there will be just one presenter. The station's afternoon show will have listener choice as it's prime focus. Those who take part will have the the option to compile their own fantasy album. New comedy talent will also be given a chance by the station.

A competition run by an Australian radio station was condemned as cruel yesterday by friends of Nicole Kidman. Sydney-based 2Day FM offered a cash reward to anyone who knocked on the film star's door and asked to speak to Tom Cruise. This followed a rumour - which turned out to be false - that Cruise was in the city. As hopefuls descended on the superstar's mansion and attempted to scale a high security fence, security men guarding the home rang the station and pleaded with them to call off the competition.

Local radio stations continue to rule the airwaves in today's release of the JNLR figures for last year. Countrywide figures show that 55% of people are now tuning into local stations - up by 1% on the previous year. RTE Radio 1 have also shown a 1% increase in their countrywide listenership which now stands at 31% - some 700,000 less than the locals. 2FM's countrywide listenership is 28% - the same as the previous year. Today FM's countrywide listenership also remains the same at 14% but Lyric FM have dropped by a per cent to 3%. Local stations market share breaks down as follows:- Highland Radio 65%; Radio Kerry 62% (+3); Radio Kilkenny 63% (+1); Limerick's Live 95FM 58% (+4); Clare FM 58% (+6); Shannonside/Northern Sound 48% (+4) and Galway Bay FM 47% (+4).

The success figures for the locals in the countrywide market are not reflected in Dublin as both 98FM (23%) and FM104 (24%) have recorded a 3% fall. Dublin-based listenership for RTÉ Radio 1 (35%), 2FM (20%) and Today FM (11%) has remained the same as last year. Lite FM came on air in May 2000 and have recorded a six-month listenership of 15%.

In Cork, 96FM/County Sound are still in front despite losing 2% from last year. They now have a market share of 59%. Recording a drop in listenership figures are both RTE Radio 1 and 2FM, each with a 26% share. RTE R1 are down by 2% and 2FM by 3%. Today FM's listenership stayed the same - 19%, but Lyric FM's market share has increased by 1% to 4%.

Overall 2FM's Gerry Ryan show is closing the gap on Marian Finucane's Radio 1 and amongst the success stories for Today FM are 'Ian Dempsey's Breakfast Show' which shows a big yearly gain. 'The Last Word' fronted by Eamon Dunphy has also shown an increase - by 3%, and Ray D'Arcy's show is up by 5%. The figures have been welcomed by the IRTC.

Rhythm FM returned to 103.5MHz today after a period off the air. Live programming resumed this evening following the re-appearence of a blank carrier.

Following the recent poor showing in the RAJAR figures, Meath-based long wave station Atlantic 252 have appointed a new Programme Controller in the shape of 27 year old Sarah Henderson. Atlantic 252 broadcast across the UK and Ireland on 252kHz.

A feature on Sara Cox's BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show has been banned by the BBC following complaints about it's offensive nature. 'The Dead Pets Society' featured stories from listeners detailing the quirky ways in which their pets had died. Cox has criticised the BBC for giving in to a 'tiny minority' who complained. "The feature was only meant to be quirky and funny," she said.

The planned September auction of Dutch radio frequencies has been cancelled following pressure from broadcasters who feared they would lose frequencies with which they had become associated. It is now expected that the Dutch government will announce a new plan in the next few weeks.

Source: Mike Terry

Sun 101FM, the all-eighties automated station broadcasting on 101.3MHz, was off air most of today. Gem 88FM, testing on 88.1MHz, were on a blank carrier for most of the day. Nova Dance - on 94.7MHz - had very low audio tonight.

Radio Dublin were off air for a long period this afternoon on their 100FM frequency. They returned at about 4pm but still suffered transmission problems for the rest of the day. Sun FM returned on 101.3MHz this afternoon. Gem 88FM remained on a blank carrier. Nova Dance were on a blank carrier this morning and have very low audio tonight.

Lyric FM's 96.7 transmitter was off air late last night and through the early hours of this morning. The 99.1 transmitter auto-switched off as a result.

Source: David C

Atlantic 252, which is owned by RTL (80%) and RTE, is to be put up for sale again according to a report in today's Mail On Sunday. The value could be up to £20m.

Source: Mike Terry

Hits 106FM have been broadcasting a blank carrier this evening. Nova Dance on 94.7MHz finally restored their audio to normal this evening. Gem 88FM, who broadcast on 88.1MHz, remain on a blank carrier.

This week: more stations taken off the air by the authorities and the Dutch Pirate Radio Site of the Week. Click here for this week's issue.

Red Hot FM have today been awarded the licence for Cork City and County. The chairman of the IRTC, Mr Conor J. Maguire SC, congratulated the successful applicant and expressed his commiserations to those that failed. "I would like to thank each of the seven groups that submitted an application. The standard was extremely high and the Board had difficult decisions to make," he said. "Each applicant's plus and minus points were assessed thoroughly by the Board before a decision was reached. We feel that Red Hot FM will add to the diversity of programmes broadcast in Cork, creating greater choice for the youth of the city in particular." The Commission will provide an explanation to the two unsuccessful shortlisted candidates in due course.

Red Hot FM has Dublin's FM104 on board and it's programming will be aimed at the under 35 year olds. They say they will be radically different from what is presently on offer in Cork from 96FM and 103FM. At the oral hearings in January, Red Hot FM promised that at least 80% of their programming would be locally sourced and produced and that there will be a weekly dedicated gay programme - Ireland's first - called 'Pink on Red'.

Four of the applicants for the Dublin specialist FM licence were today shortlisted by the IRTC. Country 106.8FM, Jazz FM, Phantom FM and Star FM were invited to make presentations to the Board at oral hearings in March. Two of the groups - Country 106.8FM and Star FM - plan to offer Country & Irish music whilst the other two are already familiar to Dublin FM listeners having both been on air prior to closing in order to apply for the licence.

Phantom FM chairman Simon Maher reacted to the news by saying that they are 'obviously delighted.' After the announcement he told *Radiowaves, *"After putting a lot of hard work into our application it was dissappointing that so many of the other applicants had stolen our ideas and jumped onto the rock music bandwagon but we are now looking forward to the hearings at the end of March and delighted that the IRTC have recognised the merits of our application."

Jazz FM's Ollie Dowling was 'more than impressed' at the shortlisting. He said that he is 'well chuffed' that he now has his 'steel toecap in the door!' Talking to *Radiowaves *tonight, he said, "I haven't slept all weekend but I am very happy to have got this far. I am desperate though for my fix of Jazz, Rhythm 'n' Blues!" The station will be starting work on their oral presentation from tomorrow.

The oral hearings will be heard in the Burlington Hotel on March 26th and a final decision is expected on April 30th.

Two of the four applicants for the Dublin religious AM licence were shortlisted today by the IRTC. Solas AM and People Into God have both been invited to make presentations to the Board at oral hearings which will be heard in the Burlington Hotel on March 26th and a final decision is expected on April 30th.

A formal complaint against Radio Kilkenny has been made to the Independent Radio & Television Commission. The complaint concerns an interview on the station's news last Monday. Judith Ashton spoke of how she had been allocated a site by Kilkenny County Council last year despite not being on the local authority housing list. The council had asked to hear a copy of the interview - which was recorded in advance - in order to "prepare a proper reply." The county secretary, Philip O'Neill, has claimed that the interview contained gross inaccuracies and that they would complain to the IRTC "with all possible vigour."

Gem FM are back on air with their test transmissions on 88.1MHz in Dublin.

The sudden burst of extreme weather with heavy snowfall caused havoc on Dublin's airwaves overnight and today. Early this morning a number of stations were off air or on blank carriers. Amongst those affected were WXTC - blank on 91.6MHz; Freedom 92FM - blank on 92.0MHz; Swirl FM - off air on 95.4MHz; Power FM - blank on 97.2MHz and DMR FM - off air on 97.8MHz. WXTC and Power FM returned later in the morning. DMR FM also returned this morning but were accidentally relaying Freedom 92. DMR's own audio was restored this evening but tonight they went onto a blank carrier before going off air altogether again at 9pm. East Coast Radio's 96.2MHz transmissions were badly affected by the conditions today and Anna Livia FM were also suffering major disruption to their transmissions on 103.2MHz. Later in the day, Raidio na Gaeltachta's Clermont Carn 102.7MHz transmitter also suffered disruption which lasted up to close of programming. Radio Dublin were off air at the end of the day.

2FM suffered major problems on their FM transmissions this morning, although their medium wave signals remained unaffected. The 97.0MHz transmitter was off air all day and Kippure's 91.3MHz suffered intermittant interference from what was apparently unauthorised music broadcasts. Gerry Ryan also announced on air this morning that the interference was so bad that the station could not be heard outside the Leinster area. Adverse weather conditions may be to blame.

Source: Alan Farrell

Freedom 92FM suffered major audio problems today on their 92.0MHz frequency. The Dublin station were on a blank carrier for most of the day although their heavily distorted audio kept attempting to kick in. A station spokesman tonight told Radiowaves that the problem was caused by a bad link between their receiver and transmitter and they spent most of the day attempting to get to their mountain site, which was covered in six feet of snow. "Ironically our problems had nothing whatsoever to do with the weather," he added, "but it did make it impossible to solve the problem sooner!" Bizarrely, DMR FM on 97.8MHz once again locked onto Freedom 92's link frequency this afternoon and although DMR's signal was overmodulating, the audio distortion affecting 92.0MHz was absent. Despite these problems, live programming from Freedom went ahead at the normal time this afternoon and the signal was restored early this evening.

Electrical failure in the Dundalk area due to the dire weather conditions has badly affected Kiss FM. After a period off the air, their 101.2Mhz frequency is now back on covering most of Louth. "This frequency left the air at 9.10pm last night - taking with it the entire network," a station spokesperson told Radiowaves. "Power was not restored at the site until 3pm today, by which time we discovered that snow and ice had blocked the microwave signal from our studio - with snow being packed into the microwave horn at the TX end. Also at our 101.2FM mountain, the LNB got completely covered which caused a very hissy signal to be heard. As if this wasn't enough our main 106.0MHz frequency has been putting out mish-mash all day because of a power cut at one of the 3 link sites which are used to get the signal to the other side of the Cooley mountains." The station's misfortune extends to their webstream..."a power cut at our ISP sometime last night also caused the Real Audio server to shut down and it will likely be tomorrow before we have access to this computer."

Swirl FM contacted Radiowaves this morning to say that their transmitter cut out early last night and that they would not be broadcasting at all today. They have since been back in touch to say that they managed to resume transmissions at 7pm this evening. "The problem was due to a high SWR rate from the aerial which I am presuming was caused by the snow," the station spokesman said. Swirl FM can be heard in South Dublin on 95.4MHz.

The Independent Radio and Television Commission have given their approval - in principle at least - to a 60% UTV purchase of Cork's County Media which includes three local radio stations. Last month, the Commission blocked a 100% takeover by UTV because it contravened their guidelines on local ownership but, according to IRTC chairman Mr Conor J. Maguire SC, the new bid satisfies the majority of the Commission's board that there will be a majority of local people on County Media's board following the takeover. Sitting on the new board would be two people from County Media, two from UTV and an independent local chairperson. Existing staff will stay in place. Although the current bid was still what Mr Maguire called an 'exception' to IRTC guidelines which prevent more than a 27% controlling interest by an existing media group in any other, he states that the rules have not been changed by default. The guidelines are due to be discussed in April.

Ray McCann, the owner of NSR - a hobby station broadcasting from Ballybrack on 105.0MHz - passed away on Monday morning.* Radiowaves* passes on it's condolences to friends and family.

Kiss FM have now returned to 106.0MHz. This is in addition to their 106.3FM transmissions. Magic are off air tonight on 107.6MHz, despite there being power at their site.

Spin FM, Dublin's new youth-targetted licensed station, should be on air by late Summer the IRTC said yesterday. This follows a protracted court battle in which the launch was held up.

The press speculation at the weekend concerning a sale by RTL of their 80% controlling interest in Atlantic 252 has led to station manager John O'Hara issuing a statement yesterday in which he said that it was business as usual for the staff and himself. "[We] are committed to restoring Atlantic 252 to its former glory and that process has already begun. The resurgence of interest in long wave from the UK, the Dutch and the Scandinavians can only be good for us and we look forward to a long and successful future." RTÉ, the state broadcaster which owns a 20% stake, remains committed to the station.

Source: Mike Terry

Following a period in which DMR FM were off air, their 97.8MHz frequency was once again carrying a relay of Freedom 92FM early this morning. A spokesman for Freedom FM has told Radiowaves that they are very unhappy with the situation and have complained to DMR on a number of occasions. The problem is caused by a close proximity of link frequencies and quite often when DMR go off air - which is regularly - their link equipment powers up and locks onto the stronger signal which belongs to Freedom.

DMR went off air again later this morning before returning on a blank carrier this afternoon.

UTV still want to have a 100% controlling interest in Cork's County Media, the company who own three licensed radio stations in the area. Having bought out 60% of the company for £17.1m, UTV now say that they are in a position to have the remaining 40% sold to a third party if a full takeover is not given IRTC approval.

The payment of £35,000 by Century Radio's Oliver Barry to then Minister for Communications Ray Burke back in 1989 was once again discussed at today's Flood Tribunal sitting.

During questioning Ray Burke said that he saw nothing wrong with receiving such a large donation without issuing a receipt. Barry says that Burke asked for the payment in cash - this is denied by Burke. He insists that the payment was a personal donation from Mr Barry for election expenses and did not come from Century Radio, as Mr Barry has claimed. To illustrate this point he mentioned that he had lodged the money into his bank account a few days after receiving it - not the action of a man trying to hide it.

At that time Mr Burke was arbitrating in a dispute over transmission fees between Century and RTÉ and agreed that there would have been uproar if the payment had come to the attention of the state broadcaster.

Trevor Brook yesterday submitted evidence of the UK monopoly in short wave broadcasting to the Office of Fair Trading. He has been seeking a licence for an independent short wave station, Radiofax, since 1984. Brook claims that Merlin Communications International operates a monopoly because the British government refuses to issue a short wave licence to anybody else.

As part of his evidence to the OFT, Trevor Brook has said: "I have no complaint against Merlin per se. There is a parallel with air travel which may illustrate what I mean. Some years ago there was a situation where one airline in this country used all the slots available to Britain for transatlantic flights. This came to be recognised as unfair. Other operators based in the UK were allowed a slice of that cake and British Airways lost its monopoly. You or I can go to Merlin and book broadcasts. I have wished to operate on short wave for seventeen years. Other countries in the world and the EU permit independent operators. There simply is no special British reason why this cake should not be shared.

"The Radiocommunications Agency has explained to you how a country could be regarded as overbidding for frequencies. Notably, you have not been told that booking for just one more service would actually take the United Kingdom to that point - because that would not be the case. This is manifestly evident when you recall that Merlin has been able to undertake new broadcasts for many organisations.

"The dishonest frequency story is a smoke screen. An entrenched departmental policy is causing a monopoly for Merlin which is not specified by statute. Does this policy seem fair to you? Can your organisation deal with it?"

Source: Mike Terry