ONLY technical problems stand in the way of an RTE cultural radio channel built around classical music, according to a spokesman for the Minister responsible for broadcasting, Mr Higgins.
In a submission to the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, RTE has proposed setting up a music, arts and cultural channel by extending the classical channel, FM3. This broadcasts classical music in the evenings on the same wavelength as Raidio na Gaeltachta. Although RTE is still awaiting a response from Mr Higgins, his spokesman said there was no opposition in principle and that any delays were entirely due to technical considerations.
It would cost about £1.5 million to build the necessary technical infrastructure. Annual costs would have to be met from a range, of sources which could include sponsorship, though it is envisaged that the channel would be free of advertising.
The channel would have a strong core of orchestral, choral and chamber music, as well as contemporary new music. It would use the National Symphony Orchestra and other music resources within RTE and would make use of material performed at the National Concert Hall, Limerick University and other concert venues.
The thinking behind the proposal was the success of the British commercial music station, Classic FM, which quickly gained high audience numbers.
The new channel would offer arts and cultural programming, without taking arts and cultural coverage away from Radio 1. This would mean that programmes offered at night to small audiences, could be repeated during the day on the new service.
New programmes would offer arts performance as well as arts news, analysis and interpretation of arts and cultural material in Ireland and abroad.
RTE pointed out that the channel would serve an important minority and would also do a great deal to expose Irish composers whose work is greatly neglected.
It is believed that Ireland has a spare FM frequency. However, the amount of work already taking place on transmission systems would mean huge delays before any new station could go on air.
Along with Radio Ireland's transmission system, other transmission commitments, such as Teilifis na Gaeilge, extending RTE into Northern Ireland and the proposed TV3 means that even if Mr Higgins gave his permission now it would probably take two years before the new channel could go on air.