Two apply for Radio Ceredigion licence

Ofcom has received two applications for the local commercial radio licence for Ceredigion in Wales.

One is from the existing licensee, while the other is from a group made up partly of former Radio Ceredigion managers and directors.

Radio Ceredigion Ltd – part of Town and Country Broadcasting – chose not to reapply under the ‘fast-track’ scheme because they wanted to change the format of the licence. It follows Ofcom’s refusal to allow the station to drop the requirement to broadcast around half of its output in Welsh.

Their challenger for the licence is ‘Radio Ceredigion 2012 cyf’ – a group led by current ‘Friends of Radio Ceredigion’ chairman and former Radio Ceredigion Ltd chairman Geraint Davies. Along with a number of former directors and presenters he’s aiming to restore the station to its original format but with a different business model. They propose to invite local residents of Ceredigion to be ‘shareholders’, with 1,000 people investing £100 in the station to fund its ‘launch’.

Radio Ceredigion began life in 1992 and was later owned by Tindle. Tindle sold 80% to Town and Country Broadcasting in April 2010, with TCB taking the remaining 20% last year.

Applicants’ proposed format statements for Ceredigion licence:

Radio Ceredigion Ltd
A local news, music and information service for Ceredigion targetting a broad 15+ audience and including regular and identifiable Welsh language programming.

Radio Ceredigion 2012 cyf
A station broadcasting half in English and half in Welsh. Welsh language speech in programming and Welsh language music must serve the Welsh culture. English language speech in programming and English language music must reflect the dual-cultured nature of the area. The bulk of programmes, in both languages must be community orientated and interactive. People of all ages will be targeted. A local news service will be provided throughout the day.

The group behind Radio Ceredigion 2012 cyf say in their application: “By re-establishing a truly bilingual
and truly interactive and community broadcasting model, Radio Ceredigion will be a way of winning back the listeners lost by the present provider.”

You can read both applications in full and submit any views you have to Ofcom here.

Published on Friday, February 3rd, 2012 at 11:35 am

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Category: Industry News, Radio



This article was written by Stuart Clarkson. Stuart is the Editor of Radio Today. You can follow him on Twitter @stuartclarkson or email stuart.clarkson@radiotoday.co.uk. If you have any news or information which may be of interest to the radio industry, please contact us via news@radiotoday.co.uk

  • dandean

    Truth is that half and half does not work…never has and never will. Radio Ceredigion’s output was always poor, and had they been in Rajar then it would have shown…the quality of its output was often among the worst in the UK….worst than Hospital Radio at times…trying to be all things to all people which the BBC are finding in Wales does not work..and less so in this day and age.
    As for Welsh Music….very little of it stands up against English sung material…and i am afraid no body buys Welsh Pop/Rock,even less if any turn up at the gigs,…in fact to most Welsh speakers its a Joke…and they want to hear the same tunes as they would on all other stations.
    If the licence is to be given to C2012 then they should be told that all daytime output must be in Welsh……..as their attempt at Bi before was a major disaster, and will be even more this time, as you cant run a Commercial Station like a Community Station..and must target who you want otherwise again you have a situation of trying to appeal to everyone and end up with no-one….so one langauge only, and in the case of C2012 it has to be Welsh…after all that is the purpose of the group.
    From a Business point of view, there can only be one winner,T and C, i say that as someone who thinks that they are dreadfull in all that they do, all those tinpot stations that no one listens too, but they do keep going  , and so Ofcom have a problem, do we give it to a well meaning group who will reflect the area and its people, and its langauge,but  will be skint within two years..or someone who’s output is complete crap, that no one really listens to it,anyone in South Wales who wants Non BBC Radio has so much choice,   but will keep going and give you no problems,

  • ian

    dandean, your attitude to welsh music is both completely wrong and totally ignorant. Welsh language music is of an excellent quality and full of extremely talented musicians. You should listen to some, open your ears and shut your mouth.