Trevor Dann blasts regulator for failure

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.