A BROAD choice for 2.3 million listeners was promised yesterday by
Central Scotland Radio after it had won the licence to broadcast on FM,
beating six competitors.
The new station is backed by Grampian Television, which holds 55% of
the shares, and Border Television with 35%. The remaining 10% will be
available for public subscription. The station will be based in Leith
and will have a staff of 35.
Sir David Steel, CSR's chairman, said in Edinburgh that the new
station, which would operate from September 1 next year, would provide a
mixture of news, information, and entertainment tailored to meet the
distinctive needs of listeners.
However, one of the unsuccessful competitors, Radio Six, which would
have broadcast from Kirk o' Shotts, said the decision had been made
without real knowledge or understanding of Scotland and its people.
Mr Tony Currie, Radio Six's managing director, said: ''Given the
current controversy over the takeover of ITV companies, we would
question the wisdom of the Radio Authority entrusting the new radio
station to two of those most vulnerable.
''It is regrettable that no new players or fresh investment are being
given the opportunity to expand the Scottish broadcasting clique,'' he
added.
Mr Currie said there was a strong possibility of ITV companies taking
each other over. If, for example, Grampian was taken over by Scottish
Television or by foreign investors, the radio element would be quickly
discarded.
Earlier, Sir David had said that at the core of Central Scotland Radio
programming would be a unique Scottish view of Britain, the world, and
Central Scotland's place in it.
''We will be primarily a talk station with news, travel information,
and weather reports. Sport, politics, and the arts will be covered and
listeners will be heavily involved through regular phone-ins,'' he said.
Sir David said the station would try to counteract the bias in
existing radio in which affairs in the London area predominated.
In its bid Central said that listeners in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the
Central Lowlands would be offered a mainly speech-based programme which
would extend what was already available on the BBC.
Mr Donald Waters, Grampian's deputy chairman and chief executive, said
it had a long-standing commitment to local radio through its Moray Firth
Radio shareholding.
It believed it could benefit the listening public of Central Scotland
through its experience as one of Britain's most popular regional
television stations.
Mr Robin Salvesen, chairman of another unsuccessful competitor Central
Scotland Broadcasting Ltd, said: ''We are disappointed by the decision,
not only for ourselves but for the people of Scotland as they are the
real losers.
''Our station would have introduced a new concept in Scottish radio
broadcasting and a challenge to the existing broadcasters.''
The Radio Authority also announced three other local radio stations to
be launched next year. Two will serve Manchester -- Faze FM Radio will
broadcast dance music, and Fortune easy listening music. This will give
Manchester five independent local radio services.
The third, Channel Travel Radio in Kent, will provide an information
service for travellers to the Channel Tunnel on the M20 motorway. All
four licences are for a maximum period of eight years.
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