The News

UNP3

Can anyone explain to me why every radio station must play the news every hour. Is it a requirement or is it just to kill time within the hour?

snubbleste

UNP3 wrote: »

Can anyone explain to me why every radio station must play the news every hour. Is it a requirement or is it just to kill time within the hour?

Every station every hour

L1011

BAI requires 10% news and current affairs content during peak hours.

UNP3

but why is that required on every radio station rather then just the larger one or optional as ndependent stations should be allowed to produce their own content.

Also why does this not apply to digital radio which can play musc non-stop. With smart phones and 24 hour news is on the hour news really necessary? would people want it changed?

L1011

UNP3 wrote: »

but why is that required on every radio station rather then just the larger one or optional as ndependent stations should be allowed to produce their own content.

Because that's what the BAI rules are. Minor derogations are given but at core they insist on news and current affairs for everything.

UNP3 wrote: »

Also why does this not apply to digital radio which can play musc non-stop. With smart phones and 24 hour news is on the hour news really necessary? would people want it changed?

Totally different licences.

UNP3

Forgive my ignorance but what is the reasons for them needing this requirement. I don't understand the need for it every hour or why independent radio channels can't decide what they play and don't play.

L1011

Ask the minister for communications circa 1987. It's a legacy requirement but needs to be obeyed.

Fuzzy Clam

UNP3 wrote: »

Forgive my ignorance but what is the reasons for them needing this requirement. I don't understand the need for it every hour or why independent radio channels can't decide what they play and don't play.

Because the public might enjoy "jukebox" radio and we can't have that

Onthe3rdDay

Fuzzy Clam wrote: »

Because the public might enjoy "jukebox" radio and we can't have that

Actually it's a reasonable effort to make sure Radio provides a real service. (Changes are needed However) With light touch regulation you could end up with a situation like the UK, where there's no real independent local radio service outside of Breakfast and Drivetime in large parts of the country. And that Jukebox only seems to have 100 tracks!!!

Fuzzy Clam

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

Actually it's a reasonable effort to make sure Radio provides a real service. (Changes are needed However) With light touch regulation you could end up with a situation like the UK, where there's no real independent local radio service outside of Breakfast and Drivetime in large parts of the country. And that Jukebox only seems to have 100 tracks!!!

Actually it's not a reasonable attempt at all. What we have ended up with for the last 25 years are stations that are for the most part clones of each other. Mindless chat and idiotic phone ins to make up the numbers.
There are options for those that want what you would call a real service. Newstalk and Radio 1 for example.

Im not aware of any station in Britain with only a 100 track playlist. 600 woud be closer.
Theres a very good reason why the youth here are turning of the radio these days.

Onthe3rdDay

Fuzzy Clam wrote: »

Actually it's not a reasonable attempt at all. What we have ended up with for the last 25 years are stations that are for the most part clones of each other. Mindless chat and idiotic phone ins to make up the numbers.
There are options for those that want what you would call a real service. Newstalk and Radio 1 for example.

I'll have to exclude Dublin from the point I'm making as I would possibly agree with you when it comes to dublin stations. However outside of Dublin the local stations are all very popular, with listenership staying at a very high level, plus they have a lot more than 20% news and current affairs. The Mid morning talk shows cost the most to advertise on. Those that listen to those stations won't find the same service on Radio 1 or Newstalk as they're National and Dublin Focused.

Fuzzy Clam wrote: »

Im not aware of any station in Britain with only a 100 track playlist. 600 woud be closer.
Theres a very good reason why the youth here are turning of the radio these days.

I was being a little sarcastic with the 100 figure, but the 600 figure isn't exactly brilliant. As for the youth turning off, it's happening faster in the UK than here. Times have moved on and Youth that are into music are going to get it elsewhere. Pop video stations are also in major trouble. It's possible in 20 years all you will get on Radio is a News/Talk Mix or all talk because nothing else will make financial sense.

Fuzzy Clam

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

I'll have to exclude Dublin from the point I'm making as I would possibly agree with you when it comes to dublin stations. However outside of Dublin the local stations are all very popular, with listenership staying at a very high level, plus they have a lot more than 20% news and current affairs. The Mid morning talk shows cost the most to advertise on. Those that listen to those stations won't find the same service on Radio 1 or Newstalk as they're National and Dublin Focused.



I was being a little sarcastic with the 100 figure, but the 600 figure isn't exactly brilliant. As for the youth turning off, it's happening faster in the UK than here. Times have moved on and Youth that are into music are going to get it elsewhere. Pop video stations are also in major trouble. It's possible in 20 years all you will get on Radio is a News/Talk Mix or all talk because nothing else will make financial sense.

Your point about the stations outside Dublin exceeding the 20 pc is a good one. It proves that one size does not fit all. It shows that the industry can, within reason, find its level. Up untill recently, all commercial radio here had to adhere to the same rules. This is highly flawed in concept.