Today FM, Spin South West and Limerick’s Live 95FM are getting the Fast Track procedure from the BAI after just one expression of interest was received from the incumbent for each licence.
The three services are contracted as: a National Broad-format Service; a Regional Youth Music-driven Service, serving the Southwest of the country; and, a Local Broad-format Service for Limerick City and County.
The fast-track process can be invoked by the Committee when only one expression of interest is received, from an incumbent sound broadcasting contractor, following a call for Expressions of Interest.
The BAI has placed notifications on its website and in the national press, stating its intention to invoke the fast-track application process in respect of these services. Any person, other than the incumbent, may make a submission stating their intention to apply for the award of the contract.
The Contract Awards Committee will meet in late June to consider any submissions received further to the notifications and determine the next phase in the licensing process for each of the services.
The contract for the National Broad-format Service is currently held by Radio Ireland Limited, broadcasting as Today FM. This contract is scheduled to expire on 16th March 2017.
The contract for the Regional Youth Music-driven service is currently held by Spin South West Limited, broadcasting as Spin South West. This contract is scheduled to expire on 28th June 2017.
The contract for the Local, Broad-format Service for Limerick City and County is currently held by Treaty Radio Limited, broadcasting as Limerick’s Live 95FM. This contract is due to expire on 23rd October 2017.