Midlands Broadcasting Company has pulled out of the bidding process to challenge Midlands 103 to the FM radio contract currently broadcasting as Midlands 103.
In the list of applicants received for the local broad-format sound broadcasting service for North Donegal contract, only Midland Community Radio Services is listed despite earlier indications that “Midlands Broadcasting Company” is interested in the licence.
David Kearney and William Curran are listed as the only two directors of Midlands Broadcasting Company.
Midlands 103 is owned by UK-based Tindle Radio Ltd and has applied to cover Laois, Offaly & Westmeath for a further 10 years.
Midlands 103 says the Chairperson for the new contract, if successful, will be Mr Derry Kilroy, an experienced local business figure, and the vice-Chairperson will be Mr Conor Brady, a former editor of The Irish Times.
The station also promises to support 40 full and part time jobs across the franchise area.
Elsewhere, the two proposed bidders for the North Donegal contract have both submitted applications. It’ll be a two-horse race between current licensee Highland Radio Limited and Donegal Commercial Radio Broadcasting Limited.
Also, it’s not confirmed at this stage who is applying for the niche music-driven sound broadcasting service for Dublin City and County but the BAI says they will announce more information in November. Previously, one company, Easy FM, said it would challenge the current contract holder Sunshine 106.8 for the service.