There must have been many times over the last 18 months when those involved with Phantom FM felt like banging their heads repeatedly against the nearest brick wall. Awarded a licence in November 2004 to operate an alternative radio station in Dublin, Phantom FM was forced to keep its broadcasting powder dry while one of the losing applicants decided to send in the lawyers.
But it would have been strange if it had been any other way. In recent years, it seems to be the done thing for losing licence applicants to run to the courts seeking redress.
After all, winning a radio licence is akin to winning the Lotto for those who invest in Irish radio consortiums. Huge money has changed hands every time UTV, Emap and others have plundered the Irish radio landscape for assets. It's understandable, then, that the losing bidders can be a little irked thinking of their wireless windfalls being snatched away from them.
Yet, as Zed FM's day in court turned inevitably into weeks and months, the only winners were (as usual in these circumstances) the bewigged ones who do their pimping in and around the Four Courts. While the casual observer might have thought Zed FM's challenge against the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland's award of the licence to Phantom FM was flimsy at best and maybe even vexatious, it took legal eagles some 18 well-paid months to work it out.
In the end, Zed FM's protestations were in vain. While their spinning may have taken in some gullible commentators - I'd wager those questionable and factually incorrect articles that appeared in the last few months damning Phantom FM didn't just come out of nowhere - the Supreme Court did not see things the same way as Zed's backers. A majority ruling found in favour of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, leaving the way clear for Phantom FM to finally go on air some 18 months late.
But it wasn't just observing a court case that had nothing to do with them limping through the legal system that must have infuriated the Phantom folk. They also had to watch as nearly every other radio station on the dial copped on that there was mileage to be had from this alternative rock thing.
Bands Phantom had long been to the fore in promoting (Bell X1 are a case in point) could now be heard pumping from stations that once scorned the idea of ever dedicating any daytime spins to home-grown music unless it was U2 or The Corrs or Ronan Keating. Suddenly, alternative music was everywhere, and Phantom was left sitting in the public gallery in the Four Courts listening to hours of fusty legal arguments from equally fusty legal beaks.
As any band that has ever signed a record deal knows, the hard work for Phantom FM really begins now. When the station goes on air this summer, it will be entering one of the most cut-throat radio markets in Europe. While Phantom will no doubt be bringing something different to the radio space, it is also a commercial concern, so results and market share will be expected, unless its backers have exceptionally deep pockets.
And yet, despite the 18-month delay and other stations coming along and nicking their clothes, Phantom can have huge cause for optimism about what's ahead. There's now a huge and growing public appetite for alternative music. The goodwill factor from the local music industry towards the new station will be a considerable help. Local acts and labels recognise that there's a need for a station that will stick with the alternative template and not simply switch when something else comes along. And, ironically, Zed FM's legal challenge has done a huge amount of advance PR work for Phantom, especially the photos of Bob Geldof which invariably accompanied the stories. Lets hope Phantom repay the favour. I Don't Like Mondays for the station's first tune, anyone?
