Radio sector prepares for IRTC licences

Independent Network News, which provides a national news service for the State's local commercial radio stations, hopes to develop an all-news-and-chatshow radio station for Dublin.

Mr Sean Ashmore, chairman of INN, which is owned by the local radio stations it services, said yesterday the company had expressed its interest to the Independent Radio and Television Commission.

The IRTC board met yesterday to consider the 104 expressions of interest made for new local radio stations around the State.

A spokesman said no decision had been made on the number or specifications of the licences to be issued, but the process would continue in consultation with the director of telecommunications, Ms Etain Doyle.

The IRTC has indicated, however, that it will issue a licence for an FM station covering Dublin city and county.

Three expressions of interest have been made by the Dublin radio station, FM104, in association with different business interests.

The station's chief executive, Mr Dermot Hanrahan, said each submission was separate and was aimed at three "special interest" licences expected to be issued for Dublin city.

Many applicants believe with The third licence would be for an all-talk station.

A possible dance licence, to cater for an increasingly affluent young population with speciality music tastes, has attracted interest from Boyzone manager, Mr Louis Walsh.

He, along with U2's guitarist, The Edge, the owner of the Pod Nightclub, Mr John Reynolds, and Emap, a publicly quoted British radio group which owns the London dance radio station, Kiss FM, will be a serious contender.

Mr Hanrahan declined to specify the details of the expressions of interest made by FM104.

Meanwhile, a radio consultant, Mr Martin Block, of Block Media, said his company had also expressed an interest, as part of a consortium, in providing a £1.75 million adult melody station investment aimed at the over-30s age group.

He said that while independent radio had been "a huge success story", research had shown that the Dublin over-30s category could be better serviced.

"Marketing is going to be absolutely essential. We would have a serious job in trying to put our station on the map," he said.

An IRTC spokesman said it expected bidders for the licences would be invited to apply next month.