Dublin's newest radio station will be Radio Nova 100, it has been announced. The classic rock service has beaten off competition from two other groups to win the latest licence to be offered up by regulator the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI).
The station, named after but not connected with the famous 1980s pirate operated by Chris Cary, won the classic rock licence against Phantom FM's Rock Radio and the GMG and East Coast Radio-backed Classic Rock Radio. Nova 100 is operated by an independent consortium of Irish businesspeople.
The station intends to be a "first-rate and distinctive" broadcaster and hopes to employ 32 people at their base in Dun Laoghaire following a launch on 100.3 FM in August 2009. Programming will feature rock music from the 1960s to today as well as local news, sport and information.
Commenting on the decision, Michael O’Keeffe, Chief Executive of the BCI said "the unanimous view of the board was that the quality of the application received from Radio Nova 100 was such that it warranted the award of the licence after phase one consideration. We now look forward to commencing contract negotiations with the successful applicant."
In contrast to the UK system, Irish radio licences are generally advertised by the BCI for a specific format, such as youth-oriented radio or classic rock.
