ZED FM appeal dismissed in Supreme Court. The Countdown Begins!

SimonMaher

Yay!!!!

So its finally over. The Supreme Court dismissed the Zed FM appeal to the licence award to Phantom FM this morning.

This means that we can now get on with the job of getting Phantom on air in the summer.

More details as we get them. Thanks as always to all for their support!

Pete Reed
reed@phantomfm.com
www.phantomfm.com

Rockiemalt

yeyeyyeyeyyeeyyeyyeyeyeyeyyeyeyeyyeyeyyeyeyey

well done! partying this evening then?

ButterflyX

alas, the war is over,
bring it on!

dera

beautiful! sosososososo very happy for yis

jmc

Brilliant stuff! Congrats lads. Look forward to hearing you on!

wunderzwiebel

That's fantastic news lads!
Any idea for a provisional party/start date?

Wacker

Zed's dead baby, Zed's dead!



Whhhooooooooooooooooo!!!!

buzzerbuckley

Great stuff. Congratulations

Now for that Tallaght stadium to be built without the GAA rednecks involved...............

flogen

Brilliant news!!

Congratulations Phantom... can't wait to hear you on the air again!!!!!!

Hard luck Zed...:D

nessymon

well done

Steve Martin

Well done Guys!

Its been a long wait, now you can get on with it at last.

Dudess

:eek: WOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!

daraghb

Looks like the other side are accepting it, found this statement on Hot Press website:


The Supreme Court has delivered its verdict in relation to the challenge by Zed FM against the BCI’s decision in the awarding of the alternative rock license for Dublin.

Unfortunately, the only way that a decision can be challenged is by Judicial Review, through the courts. This is a very limited and narrow process. It is also a protracted and hugely expensive one, which we undertook only very reluctantly and in the knowledge that, from the beginning, the odds were heavily stacked against us. We would never have taken the case if we hadn’t felt very strongly that there were issues of principle involved. However, the court has now made its decision, deciding 2-1 in favour of the BCI.

While we haven’t had time to read the judgements thoroughly, we note the dissenting judgement of Mr. Justice Kearns. The fact that our position has been vindicated within the judiciary confirms that it was appropriate, in the public interest, to have this case heard.

Obviously we are very disappointed with the result.

On the plus side, the process – which has absorbed a lot of time and resources, as well as money – is now at an end and we can move on, free of the cloud that it has cast over other activities for everyone involved in Zed FM.

It was our view from the start that the manner in which the alternative rock station deals with its responsibilities in relation to Irish music will be of critical importance. Zed FM had committed to playing approximately 50% more Irish music than Phantom during the daytime hours and in excess of 25% more overall.

The fact is that Irish music needs a station in Dublin that plays a significant volume of original music, and in particular lots of music by unsigned bands – especially during daytime hours. Like everyone with a genuine commitment to Irish artists of a non-mainstream variety, we would like to see this being a real priority for Phantom.

What is most important now is that music fans will finally have an alternative rock station to listen to in Dublin.

There are good people on the Phantom FM team and we now wish them all the best in their campaign to get the station up and running successfully.

[issued by Zed FM/Scrollside Ltd]

MoeJay

Well it's about time!

Congratulations to all involved, the Phantom legal team. Hopefully now Zed get costs awarded against them.

And hopefully Phantom put enough watts on the transmitter to reach into County Meath!

Anyway roll on Phantom on the air!!!

Thomas from Presence

It is my memory of Phantom playing tons of ace unsigned stuff during the day. I sold 500 albums because of the morning show alone (thanks again Mr. Conway!). All the Pod Casts featured ace new stuff and Phantom has done great work with Gigsmart with the last spectacular gg in the Village. Fact of the matter is Phantom has a proven track record in this regard and whatever promises Zed made are lovely and all that but it is unfair to say Phantom is not pro new music. A commitment to Irish music on the radio could be a day of Corrs/U2/Thrills in a loop anyway.

This is a great day for music. Rock on Phantom!

Dudess

Great find, daraghb. There are some genuine indications here all right that the dispute is definitely over:

daraghb wrote:

Unfortunately, the only way that a decision can be challenged is by Judicial Review, through the courts. This is a very limited and narrow process. It is also a protracted and hugely expensive one, which we undertook only very reluctantly and in the knowledge that, from the beginning, the odds were heavily stacked against us. We would never have taken the case if we hadn’t felt very strongly that there were issues of principle involved. However, the court has now made its decision, deciding 2-1 in favour of the BCI.

On the plus side, the process – which has absorbed a lot of time and resources, as well as money – is now at an end and we can move on, free of the cloud that it has cast over other activities for everyone involved in Zed FM.

What is most important now is that music fans will finally have an alternative rock station to listen to in Dublin.

There are good people on the Phantom FM team and we now wish them all the best in their campaign to get the station up and running successfully.

YAY!!!

JohnBalfe

Awesome, if somewhat inevitable, news. Well done all. Thouroughly deserved.

One question though, where does this leave the recruitment process? Any ideas as to when interviews are going to take place?

Congrats again!

John

Gerard_Smith

Thank the great good drol! Finally the unsigned alt-rock bands of Dublin will get some damn on air publicity again!

Great news.

Talliesin

Hurrah!

Congrats.

Garret

"Zed is dead"

Dudess

I love the way there were no posts about it for ages, then last Monday/Tuesday a few of us got riled up again and started posting remarks. Hey presto! The verdict is announced two days later! Spooky!

DMC

Excellent, excellent news, chaps.

To Pete and BrianD, the paitence you had to exert wouldve cracked lesser folk...

Now, when do you want reception reports?

Wacker

Garret wrote:

"Zed is dead"

Are you ripping off my joke?!? Or is that a Pixies reference, which would be okay.....

Garret

Wacker wrote:

Are you ripping off my joke?!? Or is that a Pixies reference, which would be okay.....

its a Pulp Fiction reference

sorry didnt see yours

whats the Pixies reference

Steveire

ZedFM wrote:

The fact is that Irish music needs a station in Dublin that plays a significant volume of original music, and in particular lots of music by unsigned bands – especially during daytime hours. Like everyone with a genuine commitment to Irish artists of a non-mainstream variety, we would like to see this being a real priority for Phantom.

Oooh, Good idea Zed. Yeah, guys: do that: play irish music. It might be tough at the beginning, but you'll grow to enjoy exploring this new territory.

Seriously, Well Done. I'm sure this news means more to you than it can to me... and i'm thrilled.

JJ

daraghb wrote:

What is most important now is that music fans will finally have an alternative rock station to listen to in Dublin.

There are good people on the Phantom FM team and we now wish them all the best in their campaign to get the station up and running successfully.

[issued by Zed FM/Scrollside Ltd][/I]

I guess this means there won't be an appeal to any European court. Thank God. Roll on Phantom. Roll on no more listening to Top 40 most of the time in my car on the way to or coming home from work.

Dudess

JJ wrote:

I guess this means there won't be an appeal to any European court. Thank God.

Yeah, mucho apolojeez for peeing on everyone's parade by mentioning that possibility the other day. It's just that the frustration was making it difficult for me to be my usual positive self so I went on a bit of a mini rant. I'm so thrilled for the Phantom guys. Congrats one and all for struggling on. Makes your success that bit sweeter I'm sure.

monkey lover

YAAAAY!!!!!!!

Good music back on the airwaves soon

Kazujo

Great news lads justice is finally done. Can't wait til your back on the air

ozone6280

Great news it was well woth the wait....... Congradulations to everyone here in the USA.:)

dead air

excellent.

Silverfish

I can wipe the dust off my stereo now.

Congratulations. W00t!!!

blu_sonic

Congrats Simon

Charles Slane

Great news !! Can't wait for it to start broadcasting.

Congratulations guys !

SimonMaher

"From Unison.ie

Supreme Court gives nod for Phantom FM to take to airwaves
13:24 Thursday April 6th 2006

The Supreme Court has cleared the way for new Dublin rock station Phantom FM to take to the airwaves.

The rival Zed FM, backed by Bob Geldof,Hot Press owner Niall Stokes and businessman Dermot Hanrahan, lost its bid for the radio license in 2004 when the Broadcasting Commission awarded it to Phantom.

Zed challenged this in the High Court, but failed in its claim that Phantom benefited from years of illegal broadcasting.

The consortium then took its case to the Supreme Court, but that appeal was dismissed today, paving the way for Phantom to begin broadcasting."

SimonMaher

News Release from ZED FM/Scrollside:

"The Supreme Court has delivered its verdict in relation to the challenge by Zed FM against the BCI’s decision in the awarding of the alternative rock license for Dublin.

Unfortunately, the only way that a decision can be challenged is by Judicial Review, through the courts. This is a very limited and narrow process. It is also a protracted and hugely expensive one, which we undertook only very reluctantly and in the knowledge that, from the beginning, the odds were heavily stacked against us. We would never have taken the case if we hadn’t felt very strongly that there were issues of principle involved. However, the court has now made its decision, deciding 2-1 in favour of the BCI.

While we haven’t had time to read the judgements thoroughly, we note the dissenting judgement of Mr. Justice Kearns. The fact that our position has been vindicated within the judiciary confirms that it was appropriate, in the public interest, to have this case heard.

Obviously we are very disappointed with the result.

On the plus side, the process – which has absorbed a lot of time and resources, as well as money – is now at an end and we can move on, free of the cloud that it has cast over other activities for everyone involved in Zed FM.

It was our view from the start that the manner in which the alternative rock station deals with its responsibilities in relation to Irish music will be of critical importance. Zed FM had committed to playing approximately 50% more Irish music than Phantom during the daytime hours and in excess of 25% more overall.

The fact is that Irish music needs a station in Dublin that plays a significant volume of original music, and in particular lots of music by unsigned bands – especially during daytime hours. Like everyone with a genuine commitment to Irish artists of a non-mainstream variety, we would like to see this being a real priority for Phantom.

What is most important now is that music fans will finally have an alternative rock station to listen to in Dublin.

There are good people on the Phantom FM team and we now wish them all the best in their campaign to get the station up and running successfully.

[issued by Zed FM/Scrollside Ltd]"

blu_sonic

Wikipedia updated too

blu_sonic

They had to take a parting shot assholes, please please please never play the boomtown rats ever again

DMC

Or plug Hot Press.

In an ideal world, it would be nice to play 50% Irish during daytime, including unsigned, but that would be commercial suicide, and I'm sure the BCI realised that at the time of application. And Phantom will not be neglecting the Irish scene one bit, they will be in the vanguard of promoting new unsigned acts.

A little bit of magnanimity last line, though.

Worzelgumble

really really excelent news guys well done

deedles

Yipppeeeeeee! Well done Phantom! Finally a decent radio station to listen to!:D

Gabhan

Hopefully the last year hasn't lessened your enthusiasm. What frequency will you be transmitting on, so that I can have my radio tuned and ready .The best of luck!!

dr strangelove

Fantastic news!

Any idea when you'll be broadcasting yet?

Wacker

Garret wrote:

its a Pulp Fiction reference

sorry didnt see yours

whats the Pixies reference

Ed is dead, being a Pixies song. Maybe someone should cover it n ow but amend the chorus.

dcr22B

One year on, we finally get our way and have Phantom back on the air. It's been no fun listening to CDs and MP3s on the way home from work in the recent past.

Great to have you back lads!

smog

Congrats guys, it has been such a long wait .. at long last!

MissyC

Thnak God for that! Roll on late summer, well done to all involved, the frayed nerves can begin to heal now!:o

Dudess

Me so happy!!!

Smurfpiss

wahoo!!!!! oh my god that feels good! lets go TP Niall stokes house!
i suggest that every phantom dj should develope a speech impediment that every time they go to say "hot press" they say "hot piss"
and do it alot. just to annoy them.
oh god that feels so so so so sooooo good!! yay!
oh yeah not going to boston anymore. radiohead had to come and play..with beck supporting...so ill be round for the launch i hope!

Smurfpiss

Wacker wrote:

Ed is dead, being a Pixies song. Maybe someone should cover it n ow but amend the chorus.

hehe classic idea wacker...

Richie MC

To quote the great Ric Flair, if i may, "WOOOOOOOO!!!!!!".

Great news all round, all the lads in Phantom Towers deserve nowt but the best from now on. The question is though, what's gonna be the first song come launch day? One of my suggestions would be the Manics' "Masses Against the Classes". Just for the opening line, "hello it's us again, we're still so in love with you".

Once again, well done lads n lasses