Trevor Dann blasts regulator for failure

01/08/2012 - 04:11 | 6 Replies More

Trevor Dann, former Radio Academy chief executive and independent producer has said he believes there has been a failure of local radio regulation “on a scale to match the banking crisis”.

His comments came whilst appearing on Radio 4′s Today programme along with radio consultant Grant Goddard.

Grant pointed out that 100 local radio stations have recently lost local output – and when talking about Global Radio’s purchase of Real and Smooth, said the top three groups would control 79% of the radio industry, with Global Radio controlling 47%.

The topic of conversation was the lack of local radio available since rules had been relaxed. Trevor said that local stations were gradually becoming “not radio stations but relay stations of playlists and DJs making programmes in London”.

Host Jim Naughtie said the groups still claim to operate local radio stations as per their formats. “Well, the clue to Global’s aspirations is in their name,” Trevor said.

Here the interview in full here.


Tags: , , , , , ,

Category: Industry News

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001860309652 Laundry Laundry Matt

    Well, at least he has said something.
    Just don’t think Ofcom will listen to you somehow.

  • Local Sports Champion

    Nearly a whole local radio industry has been driven into the voluntary, non-profit sector. It’s a disgrace. The radio industry is often a bellwether for how the wider economy is doing. Let’s hope successful community stations emerge from this recession with full licences.

    • Geoff Ruderham

      Full licences, It would take a massive sideways shift from ofcom to do that and as far as I am concerned they have neither the will, or come to think of it any clue what so ever about radio like their predecessors, I can’t ever see that happening anytime soon.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003294357207 James Martin

    Love how the DigitalSpy lot suddenly forget Radio 1 and laud him as some sort of God. Only on DS. Morons.

    • Geoff Ruderham

      Radio 1 and 2 for that matter are supposed to be London driven, there are very few if not any local radio stations left except the community sector.
      AS for D.S. readers being morons how did you find out about it?
      D.S. reader and contributer

  • http://www.facebook.com/scott.ross.9889 Scott Ross

    It is scandalous the way these groups have been allowed to get away with destroying the hard won local radio stations, seemingly with the connivance of the regulator supposedly there to protect the interests of the listener. Will no one act to reverse this travesty?

«
»