Seven groups apply for Dublin radio licences

Seven consortiums have applied for two new radio licences in the Dublin area.

Five applications were received by the Broadcasting Commission Ireland (BCI) for the alternative rock music licence, while two applications were received for the multi-cultural broad-format licence.

Phantom FM, a consortium backed by concert promoter Mr Denis Desmond and U2 manager Mr Paul McGuinness, has applied as expected for the alternative rock music licence.

Communicorp, the radio investment company of Mr Denis O'Brien, is involved in another consortium called Raw. UTV has linked up with London-based radio station Xfm to bid under the name Xfm Dublin. The other two applications are from Radio Eleven Ltd, backed by ex- Clannad manager Mr Dave Kavanagh, and Zed Fm, which is led by FM 104 founder Mr Dermot Hanrahan - who recently sold the station to Scottish Radio Holdings - and Mr Niall Stokes, the publisher of Hot Press magazine.

Fáilte FM, which includes the traveller organisation Pavee Point amongst its backers, has applied for the multi-cultural broad-format service licence in competition with Global 94.9fm, which is made up of representatives of ethnic and immigrant communities.

The BCI will make its initial consideration of the applications at a meeting on September 6th. All the applications will be on the BCI website, www.bci.ie, from Tuesday, July 20th.