The closing date for the new commercial radio station for Liverpool is getting closer, and Emap have confirmed they will be applying for the licence to compliment their existing services of Radio City 96.7 and Magic 1548.
The application will propose a format which will be substantially speech featuring discussions and interviews with studio guests on local matters, health and lifestyle issues, home and garden improvement tips, parenting problems and sport including live commentary, in addition to news, weather, what’s on, traffic and travel information.
The city has already had variations of talk stations in the past, including City Talk (now Magic 1548), which broadcast on medium wave for a short time before being bought by Emap, and David Maker, Chairman of Associated Radio Ltd operated an RSL talk station named Liver FM in 2005. If Emap win the licence, they promise that members of the public will be able to phone in and join in the discussions and groups from the community will also get the chance to present and produce their own shows.
Emap also ran a 28-day trail station in the City two years ago as Kerrang! Radio, using an RSL licence from Ofcom. The closing date is Thursday 13th July 2006 and competition for the licence is expected to be strong with bids from the likes of Guardian Media Group and UTV Radio.
Emap recently announced that all programmes with the exception of four hours a day on Magic 1548 would be networked. From July 1st only the breakfast show will be local to Liverpool.