The government has agreed to adjust the rules governing commercial radio ownership in its forthcoming communications bill. It will remove the rule that says there must be at least three separate commercial radio groups broadcasting in any one area (meaning Capital, GWR, EMAP and Chrysalis can own more stations in each city around the country). When the bill hits parliament it will now insist on only two commercial players operating in each area.
The move follows a proactive campaign from the Commercial Radio Companies Association. They argued the rules were unnecessarily tough and that it would prevent major radio groups from operating all of their different ‘brands’ (pop, gold, alternative etc) in anyone area.