Bauer urges industry to respond to GMG deal

14/08/2012 - 10:35 | 11 Replies More

Bauer Media is asking the rest of the radio industry to submit their views on the Global / GMG Radio takeover.

Bauer chief executive Paul Keenan, talking to RadioToday.co.uk said the move would change the face of radio forever and feels the consultation isn’t getting much profile.

“We were very concerned when the takeover was announced. Global Radio taking over all of GMG Radio is a significant landmark and Jeremy Hunt’s decision to ask for feedback during a time when people are distracted with the Olympics and potentially on summer holidays is not good.”

Bauer has been talking to major advertising groups, MPs and clients, encouraging them and the rest of the radio industry to respond to the consultations.

“The outcome would be less choice for listeners – we are concerned for the short and long term implications this deal could bring. Ofcom should be looking at more than just news provision,” Paul continued.

It was less than two weeks ago when Jeremy Hunt announced he wanted reports from both Ofcom and the OFT on the proposed deal, delaying the completion of the deal by another two or three months. Experts suggest we could be looking at next April or May before Global find out if they need to offload any assets.

Hunt asked Ofcom for a report on plurality and OFT for a report on the competition and jurisdictional aspects of the transaction on August 3rd.

He says: “When I receive the Ofcom report I will consider their independent advice carefully before deciding whether the matter should also be referred to the Competition Commission for a more detailed investigation of the plurality concerns.”


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Category: Industry News

  • Jonny

    Hmm- much like when Bauer decided to close the local Kiss stations and “buried” that so that no-one would respond to the consultation, and gave that no profile.. Pot Kettle black.

  • http://www.facebook.com/RonnieCPRoss Ronald Ross

    i am total against the big boys buying up local radio, always have been. When SRH was around we had a great local radio station when EMap bought up SRH and moved everything under the Bauer Radio name the station became unrecognise able. Where was Ofcom when this was going on. very little is made local the news came from Edinburgh that was fine as there was alot of local news added into the feed. now it comes from somewhere else and the locals cant understand the person reading it.
    As for Global I think they should go back to being local and for get about making large brands and getting rid of trusted names. Capital group have done alot of distruction in the name of profit they for get they need the listeners to back them.
    What will they do if they loose there licences.

  • http://jamesvincentuk.blogspot.com james vincent

    Bauer should have bought GMG. Yet again we’re screwed here in South East Wales. Yeh I know all around Britain is, but we have nothing LOCAL here in South West Wales in the way of commercial services. [not including community stations] Red Dragon = Capital… Gold = national… Kiss = national… People here used to enjoy Bristol’s GWR, Somerset’s Orchard, all Heart. Now Real Radio Wales will Certainly Change. I think Bauer has some great services going on. Why are they making noise now? They should have stepped in. ofcom and Global should b ashamed. the whole thing has been torn up by a bunch of Retarded IDIOTS. Rant over.

  • Radio Geordie

    It says something doesn’t it when Bauer are bricking it.
    Likley outcome: Global only get to keep Real.
    More likley: Global get everything becasue Ofcom are only going through the motions and had no intentions of listening to any objections.

  • Terry

    Funny how Bauer Media is
    starting to kick when it’s own arse is in danger of getting burned. They
    didn’t have the same concern when it was them hoovering up the
    opposition.

  • Dave Wiggy Wiggins

    I Do Feel Global Radio Group Should Be Stopped Wright Now From This Take Over Of GMG Radio Stations Real Radio And Smooth Radio Wright Now Let Other Radio Groups Liked Utv And Bauer Media To Take Over GMG Radio Stations Real Radio And Smooth Radio Now Please Please Please Do Not Let Global Radio Group To Take Over GMG Radio Stations Real Radio And Smooth Radio Please

  • Bright Spark

    All that Global wants it to be a radio superpower, look at Granada before they destroyed ITV – its the same thing almost. If Global wants Real, let them have it but force them to sell off Capital to UTV who own Juice and Juice the stations in Yorkshire and Wales. The rest should be offered to Community interest groups. Gold, well just automate it on 108FM as it looks like no one will have it.

    • http://jamesvincentuk.blogspot.com james vincent

      OK… Something thats always made me wonder… Why has no radio station in the UK ever launched on 108fm???? There’s been one or two down bottom on 87.5fm but mainly used for Part time/event services. Why has no one taken 108???

      • Bright Spark

        Exactly, its at the end of the frequency and it would be ideal for Gold as a national frequency. Like I mentioned with Real, once its been Heartified listeners will retune in there droves. A mate of mine listens to it and I have told him on eight different occations to get ready when Real goes off the air as it won’t be coming back. Has he listened to me – nope, so I’m just waiting for the day when it does go as I will be celebrating.

        • http://jamesvincentuk.blogspot.com james vincent

          I took a look at RAJAR figures for Capital South Wales and since the switch from Red Dragon fm every quarter has seen listening hours Decline. from Q1 2011 to this last Quarter. Capital, heart, X, Gold, all been deleted from my channel preset line up. Kiss, Nation, Radio 1, Real, and three coummity services remain. And when Real changes to heart. that’ll be deleted too.

  • http://www.facebook.com/ddwig Dave Wiggy Wiggins

    I Do Just Hope Wright Now That Global Will Not Get Their Hands On GMG Radio Stations Real Radio And Smooth Radio And Real Radio XS At All I Just Hope That UTV Or Bauer Media Or Celador Radio Broadcasting Will Take Over GMG Radio Stations Real Radio And Smooth Radio And Real Radio XS Wright Now Please Please Please Do Not Let Global To Take Over GMG Radio Stations Real Radio And Smooth Radio And Real Radio XS Please

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