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Licensing and contractual activities, including a report of the Contracts Awards Committee on the performance of its functions and activities. In 2010, the BAI implemented licensing activities in accordance with the BAI’s strategies and priorities, in order to facilitate the availability, or continuity, of television, radio, EPG and multiplex services to Irish audiences. The BAI adapted licensing activities as appropriate to reflect the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 2009.
Contracts Awards Committee There were six meetings of the Contracts Awards Committee during the period. The Committee received its full complement of Members in January 2010 and agreed standing orders and a mode of operation. During 2010, key activities undertaken included the consideration and granting of a number of applications for community sound broadcasting contracts and temporary sound broadcasting contracts and participation in the development of the BAI’s Strategy Statement 2011-2013.
Licensing The Committee considered, and approved in principle, applications for three ten-year community radio services received in respect of the franchise areas South West Donegal (to cover the area of Killybegs to Milltown), East Limerick and Athlone town and its environs. The applicants were: • • •
Athlone Community Radio Limited Boherroe Broadcasting Company Limited South West Donegal Community Radio Limited
Temporary broadcasting licences allow contractors to broadcast for up to 30 days in a 12-month period. The 2009 Act also allows applicants who apply for a pilot community radio service to apply for a maximum of 100 days in a 12 month period. During 2010, the BAI received 41 applications for temporary radio broadcasting services. The Committee recommended that the Authority enter into contract negotiations with 33 of these applicants and, subsequently, 33 contracts were concluded and the services began broadcasting. These temporary contracts were granted for a diverse range of services including colleges, universities, sporting events and festivals. An example of some of those awarded include Christmas FM, the student service Belfield FM and a new pilot community service Cavan Community Radio and Voluntary Forum Ltd. In April, the Committee also considered the report on an oral hearing held between members of the Executive and WLCR FM Ltd., which operates a community sound broadcasting contract in the West Limerick area. The Committee decided to recommend the Authority enter in contract negotiations with this group. In September, the Committee approved an application for a provision of content contract from United Christian Broadcasters (Ireland) Ltd. under Section 71 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. During 2010, sound broadcasting contract negotiations were concluded with Q102, Radio Nova and Spirit AM. Five community radio contracts were signed in 2010 and two services began broadcasting during this period. 35