radio nova

No. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying that in a market the size of Dublin a station literally cannot afford to have that narrow a remit. Lamentable as it is to some people, it’s reality.

I admit I have no idea FM licensing and station oversight works in Ireland. Or in NZ. And I have no desire to petition anyone for a new station. I was simply commenting on the difference on the variety of genres in similar sized markets. No need to get defensive.

Just heard Nova advertise the Dublin Music Survey. Apparently listeners can go to their FB page and fill in a survey about what music they want hear on the station. Haven't checked it out yet but will take a look later.

Sure thing - in some other version of reality maybe the FM band might sound very different. But whether anyone likes it doesn’t like it we’re in this reality. That’s what “simple”.

So long as we're dealing with a finite resource (FM bandwidth) then you have to have rules as to who can broadcast on it and what rules they have to follow.

I understand the point that it's harder for a more niche service to play successfully and profitably by those rules, but what is the alternative? I'm not sure how you would implement a two-tier system in any sort of equitable way.

And that's why all these posts berating Nova for not playing obscure album tracks or long-forgotten 70s bands are so wide of the mark. It's just not going to happen because that isn't what people want to hear, and it was never, ever the intent of Nova to do that, no matter what is claimed here.

"reptitveness of the playlists" - I just looked at this thread to see if there was any comments on it. As it feels to me it is the same 100 songs replayed in rotation (if that).

It is grand for background music, people almost expect the same tunes, it seems.

But it would be nice if they mix it up a a bit. Even different tunes from the same albums they always play, would be a start. Otherwise I might as well listen to my own music - avoiding adverts and that American wan who constantly tells us how "seriously addictive" Nova is. At least she stopped saying "A to Zee" so there is that.

I think it's Carol Dooley (from sister station Sunshine 106.8) actually.

I don't think FM frequencies are quite as finite as is regularly made out. The old finite frequencies argument was being trotted out before Lite FM came on air and somehow frequencies became available. As of today, in Dublin alone there are at least 5 frequencies on which decent power could be used and are cleared for use. That's before we even go near DAB which renders the finite capacity argument utterly moot. The reason for the lack of new stations is not down to anything technical. Of course you could implement a two-tier system. You could implement a 10 tier system if you want - no player deserves preferential treatment or protection. Yvonne, Rupert, Kevin and the others are more than capable of looking after themselves and their own interests.

Simon

The female voiceover is Annie Davis and she is American

of course you could implement a two-tier system

no player deserves preferential treatment or protection.

That's exactly what a two-tier system does - it gives preferential treatment to tier 1 and therefore punishes tier 2.

I don't know who Yvonne, Rupert and Kevin are but a completely unregulated free market rarely benefits the little guy.