Addressing the conference, IBI Chairman Scott Williams said; “A study of our members output shows that Independent radio is delivering the equivalent of 55 days or eight continuous weeks of public service broadcasting every week. These figures demonstrate in the strongest possible terms that independent broadcasters are meeting the needs of Irish listeners for news, for entertainment and for access to the airwaves. More importantly, they put paid to the notion that state owned organisations have a monopoly on public service. Such a view is absurd, inefficient and ineffective.”

“Minister Rabbitte has referred to RTÉ as the state’s “public service” broadcaster. We would like to remind Minister Rabbitte that with over 2.4 million listeners each week day, all independent radio stations provide a public service and that this is a condition of their licence. Such comments by the Minister are undermining of the professionalism and of the output of Independent broadcasters.”

Mr. Williams said that the IBI’s survey of members output confirms the need for Government to deliver on its commitment to review the funding of public and independent broadcasting to ensure a healthy broadcasting environment in Ireland.

“Public service broadcasting is where the listening public are. And the Irish public are overwhelmingly listening to Independent radio. It would be extraordinary if the additional €25 million expected to be raised by a new Public Service Broadcasting charge were simply transferred into the coffers of an organisation which garners just one third of listening time. It is not a simple question of public funds; it is a question of unfair and unbalanced dual funding.”

“Nearly the entire licence fee currently collected goes to a state owned organisation that also has a commercial mandate and an enormous market presence. Independent radio is almost completely excluded from public funding, despite its delivery of a major public service obligation. Independent radio is also competing in an impoverished and a distorted commercial market. Any change based on the interests of the audience has to begin from the premise that that status quo is unfair and is unsustainable.”

Calling for an independent review, Mr. Williams said; “The Minister’s promised review must be a fully independent one. It must be independent of the BAI who are stakeholders in the sector’s funding as well as the arbiters of the sectors standards. It must include and be genuinely representative of the audience that ultimately we are all fully and professionally dedicated to,” he said.

Mr. Williams stressed that the IBI was not targeting RTÉ.  “To be clear, this is not about RTÉ.  That organisation can rightly be proud of much of what it does. But, the growing parity of esteem between RTÉ and the Independent sector must be recognised. Both the state and independent broadcasters play an important role in delivering diverse quality content to radio listeners throughout Ireland.  Our willingness to partner on initiatives such as Choose Radio and Radio Gauge point to the mutual respect we hold for each other and, more importantly our joint commitment to a healthy radio sector.”

He concluded saying; “Minister Rabbitte has a once in a generation opportunity to rebalance and to realign public resources and the commercial market with the choice of the listening public. There is a fundamental question of fairness. There is a fundamental question of esteem. And for many of the broadcasters there is an urgent question of commercial survival.”

“What the IBI is seeking is a level playing pitch and a recognition that people’s choice should be recognised and be respected. Independent broadcasting is intertwined in the life of every community in the country. Two thirds of the population tune into our stations on a daily basis. Irish people are listening to Independent radio for two out of every three minutes of radio broadcast. With more than 1500 people employed in the sector, independent broadcasters are making a significant economic, social and cultural contribution to the Irish economy and this must be recognised in any review of funding for the sector”.

The IBI Annual Conference is sponsored by the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO).

The IMRO Independent Radio Award is presented by the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) to the radio station which features the largest number of Irish music creators in its programming output.

The award was presented by Victor Finn, CEO of IMRO to Tim Collins, CEO of Ocean FM at the IBI Annual Broadcasting Conference which took place in Dublin today.

Ocean FM broadcasts in Co. Sligo, South Donegal and North Leitrim from its studios in Colloney, Co.Sligo, Donegal Town and Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim.  Every week two thirds of all adults in these areas tune in to Ocean FM with listeners in the 25 – 55 age group being the stations largest audience “attracted by a day time music mix that is particularly appealing” according to Tim Collins, CEO, Ocean FM.

“Our daytime programming is complemented by specialist music programmes in the evening that appeal to both older and younger listeners. Music is at the core of everything we do at Ocean FM and we are honoured to receive this award.  It is a tribute to everyone who works in Ocean FM and reflects our pride in supporting Irish music creators as much as possible. Our listeners really appreciate when we discover a great Irish talent,” says Tim Collins.

Tim Collins says the diversity of music played on Ocean FM is a key factor in attracting and retaining listeners.  “Over 80% of listeners in the 35 – 64 age group agreed with the statement ‘Ocean plays music for people of my age’, and Irish music is very popular on our play list”.

Mr. Victor Finn, Chief Executive of IMRO said; “The Irish Music Rights Organisation represents Irish songwriters, composers and music publishers across all genres and the support of independent radio in bringing Irish musical talent to the wider public is critical to their success.  We are delighted to recognise this contribution of Independent radio and we warmly congratulate Ocean FM for winning this year’s IMRO Independent Radio Award.”

In a response to a Consultation Document issued by the BAI on a Draft Code of Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs, the IBI said that the BAI Code would “stifle the news and current affairs sector by creating a strong and over-compensating level of fear at breaching the code resulting in broadcasters not asking the questions that should be asked in the best interests of the public”.

According to IBI Board Member Frank Cronin, “We appreciate that recent RTÉ errors have placed a spotlight on the broadcasting sector in Ireland. We also acknowledge that the broadcast media is powerful in its ability to shape and influence public opinion and, therefore, effective regulation is a critical part of a healthy broadcasting sector. However, we are strongly of the view that the sector is sufficiently regulated”.

Mr. Cronin said that the independent commercial sector has always been governed by codes and rules on balance and fairness in news and current affairs programming, adding that “in the 23 years since the first commercial radio stations began broadcasting various consultations have resulted in little change. This is because the treatment of news and currents affairs by broadcasters and the regulator worked”.

“In its attempt to ensure fairness, objectivity and impartiality the BAI has overcompensated for a set of problems that do not exist”, added Mr. Cronin.

In its response to the BAI, the IBI raised a particular concern with the proposed Register of Public Interests, calling it “dangerous and problematic”.

Mr. Cronin said that “expecting broadcasters to make available to the public a list of their personal, professional, business and financial interests is excessive to say the least and over and above that which is expected of any other group in any profession in Ireland.

If this rule is implemented, according to Mr. Cronin, “broadcasters will be the most exposed group in society with every detail of their lives available to all and the BAI will have given rise to the greatest source of gossip that Ireland has seen since the Valley of the Squinting Windows”.

“The Register as it is proposed constitutes an invasion of privacy for those involved, forcing radio station personnel to divulge information that is private and confidential to them but of no material interest to their job as broadcaster”.

The IBI submission proposed that the rule should be amended to completely remove personal and professional interests from the list, to clearly define the business interests that need to be highlighted by the presenter/reporter and also to introduce financial thresholds below which the potential influence is inconsequential and therefore not for inclusion

The IBI also highlighted concerns with the Code’s restriction on presenters offering their own views arguing that it would be detrimental to the sector and impossible for the BAI to regulate.

Frank Cronin said that “independent radio was established to provide an alternative listening platform for Irish audiences than that which was already available on RTÉ Radio. Neutering presenters on independent stations will result in every programme becoming a carbon copy of RTÉ Radio, thus removing any diversity of choice for the listener”.

“This code would limit the ability of opinionated presenters to allow personality to shape their programmes, something which is obviously of appeal to the listenin public in Ireland, as demonstrated in the JNLR figures”, concluded Mr. Cronin.

A copy of the IBI response to the Draft Code on Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News & Current Affairs can be read here

The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) and RTÉ Radio have invested over €100,000 in launching RadioGAUGE in Ireland and it is free to advertisers and media buyers wishing to measure the effectiveness of their radio advertisement campaign as well as the impact of creativity on a campaign’s success.

“At a time when there is increased competition for advertising spend, The JNLRs published this week once again demonstrate the unparalleled ability of independent radio to reach consumers.  2.43 million potential customers listen to independent radio stations on an average weekday. This is an increase of 19,000 people year on year and proves that radio is an unrivalled medium for advertisers who want to reach an engaged audience”, said Scott Williams, Chairman of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

According to Williams, the level of engagement and the depth of loyalty listeners have with their radio stations in not replicated with any other medium.  “If you think about it, people tend to have favourite TV programmes, rather than favourite TV stations so there is no loyalty to any one station.  With radio, time and again you will hear people talking about their favourite radio station and this is an opportunity advertisers need to recognize and grasp” he said.

“Advertisers also need to rethink their approach to media buying”, said Williams.  “The most common approach among media buyers is to think national first, then local.  I would challenge that thinking based on the strength and reach of independent radio stations.   The most effective way to reach consumers is through their local communities and local radio is the lynchpin of many communities across Ireland. Remember 2 out of every 3 minutes spent listening to radio on an average weekday is to independent radio”.

With Radio Gauge RTÉ and Independent broadcasters are leading the way in working with advertisers to help them improve the creativity and effectiveness of their advertising”, said Scott Williams.  “The more impact radio campaigns have, the greater potential advertising spend on radio.  It’s a win-win for the radio industry and for advertisers.“

RadioGAUGE is fast becoming the global standard for measuring radio advertising effectiveness.  It has been operating very successfully in the United Kingdom for the past five years where, in 2010 it was credited by the Radio Advertising Bureau with increasing radio advertising spend for the first time in four years. It is also used in South Africa, Germany, Canada and now Ireland, as well as an ongoing pilot in Finland.

RTÉ Radio and The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland have worked together successfully on a number of ‘Choose Radio’ projects over the past few year, promoting radio to the media industry. RadioGAUGE takes this partnership to a new level.

“We welcome the introduction of a new broadcasting charge to replace the current TV licence and we urge the Minister to take advantage of the opportunity this change presents to review how the revenue collected is used.

The new Household Broadcasting Charge was committed to in the Programme for Government. The Programme for Government also contains a commitment to “review the funding of public and independent broadcasters to ensure a healthy broadcasting environment”. If the Minister is bound to examine the television licence fee then he should also be bound to the Programme’s commitment to undertake a full review of the funding of broadcasting in Ireland.  Indeed the two are inextricably linked and it is it is inconceivable that any change to the current TV licence system would not involve a review of how the funding is used.

In various media interviews Minister Rabbitte has referred to RTE as the state’s “public service” broadcaster. We would like to remind Minister Rabbitte that with over 2.4 million listeners each week day, all independent radio stations provide a high level of public service and that this is a condition of their licence.

We also note with great interest that €25 million of the television licence fee is lost each year through evasion and the Minister’s contention that the new licence fee arrangement would greatly reduce this amount. It is conceivable that the revenue to be collected from the new broadcasting charge be apportioned to fund the operations of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, a move that would benefit every broadcaster in the country regardless of whether they are community, commercial or state-funded. It is vital that the Minister reflects on how the changes he makes now will impact on the Irish broadcasting landscape over the coming years”.

RadioGAUGE was piloted by RTÉ Radio and the IBI with a number of advertising agencies during 2011 and the success of this pilot sees RTÉ Radio and the IBI invest over €100,000 in launching RadioGAUGE in Ireland.  RadioGAUGE is a significant investment by the entire radio industry and radio broadcasters in Ireland are leading the way in working with advertisers to help them improve the creativity and effectiveness of their advertising

Scott Williams, Chairman of the IBI said; “This is probably the most significant collaboration between Independent Broadcasters and RTÉ Radio.  Our investment in this project is testament to the confidence we have in the effectiveness of radio as an advertising medium.  RadioGAUGE will not only help advertisers measure the effectiveness of existing campaigns it will also help advertisers understand the factors that contribute to effective radio creativity, thus improving the results of future advertising campaigns”.

Antony Whittall, Commercial Director for RTÉ Radio said:  “We can now measure the performance of radio campaigns for those who use our medium as an integral part of their marketing activity. In addition RadioGAUGE measures the strength of that radio campaign’s creative execution and can give feedback to all those brands that take part.  We believe the accountability provided by RadioGAUGE will be welcomed by advertisers and media buyers who are under pressure to demonstrate value for every euro spent on advertising.”

According to Williams and Whittall, radio advertising allows brands to develop a ‘personality’ creating more effective engagement between the brand and its customers.  The ability to measure the effectiveness of the creative approach in a radio commercial is an important value proposition of RadioGAUGE.

RadioGAUGE is fast becoming the global standard for measuring radio advertising effectiveness.  It has been operating very successfully in the United Kingdom for the past five years where, in 2010 it was credited by the Radio Advertising Bureau with increasing radio advertising spend for the first time in four years. It is also used in South Africa, Germany, Canada and now Ireland, as well as an ongoing pilot in Finland.

RTÉ Radio and the IBI have worked together successfully on a number of ‘Choose Radio’ projects over the past few year, promoting radio to the media industry. RadioGAUGE takes this partnership to a new level.

“The flawed manner in which the state owned broadcaster has responded to what must stand as one of the worst defamations in the history of Irish broadcasting must now permit a closer look at how RTE is regulated and funded”, said Tim Collins, Board member of the IBI and CEO of OceanFM in Sligo.

“RTE enjoys extraordinary and unfair financial and legal privileges.  These privileges are not just unfair on independent broadcasters.  They undermine the interest of the audience which all broadcasters are licensed to serve”,

Mr. Collins said that Ireland’s broadcasting legislation is clearly creating an uneven and unfair playing pitch between independent broadcasters and RTE.  He pointed out that Independent commercial broadcasters work within a highly regulated environment but that in many respects these onerous conditions did not all apply effectively to RTE.

“Unlike RTE, independent broadcasting licences are issued for 10 year periods by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI).     We operate to very detailed codes and policy statements that are monitored and policed by the BAI on behalf of the general public. Our track records are scrutinized and taken into account when we apply for a new licence and the good opinion of the Authority is literally a life or death issue.

“By contrast, under the 2009 Broadcasting Act, while RTE submits to oversight of many aspects of its operations by the BAI, it does not have to reapply for its licence and is not subject to the same level of scrutiny by the regulator.  It says a lot about the arms length nature of much of the regulation of RTE that it took a request from the Minister to initiate such action against RTE.”.

Mr. Collins said that the situation was exacerbated by the manner in which RTE is funded.  “At the root of the problem is the rather naked commercial mandate given to RTE by Section 108 of the 2009 Act. This gives RTE carte blanche to pursue every last scrap of revenue available in the market using the considerable armory of its multimedia platforms with no reference as to the impact it has on independent broadcasters.

“Approximately half of RTE’s €400m annual budget comes from commercial revenues and the remainder from the licence fee.  Independent broadcasters are solely reliant on advertising and commercial revenue and compete with RTE for this revenue.  Because these stations are completely dependent on advertising revenue, the vital service they provide is now under significant threat.

“The Broadcasting Act 2009 failed to accept that every licensed broadcaster worthy to hold a license is truly a public broadcaster regardless of whether it is owned by the state or not.  It is time that the public service broadcasting by independent radio stations is recognized and supported just as we have rightfully supported RTE over all these years”.

Mr. Collins said that RTE’s reputation for high quality programming has up to now prevented any meaningful and balanced debate about how RTE is regulated and how it’s commercial activities impact on independent broadcasters.

“Whenever these issues are raised, the response of Ministers and public officials has always been that RTE does a fine job and must be protected. The 34 independent national, multicity, regional and local stations command the lions share of radio listening in Ireland far outstripping the share of RTE owned stations.  The strength and popularity of local radio in Ireland has been an extraordinary success story.   In the wake of the Fr. Reynolds case, the Minister for Communications must now accept the need for changes in how public service broadcasting is both financed and regulated to ensure that we have a competitive broadcasting sector with the public interest at its core”.

Speaking at the IBI AGM in Dublin, Williams said; “A radical overhaul of public service broadcasting funding is long overdue.  Today we are launching the IBI position with regards to the funding of broadcasting in Ireland which, if accepted, would result in a healthier sector with real choice and quality broadcasting for the listener”.

“There has been little or no change made to the structure of broadcast funding since the 1960’s despite the radical changes which have taken place in Ireland’s broadcasting landscape.  The introduction of a Public Service Broadcasting Charge, if used to fund all forms of broadcasting, will reflect actual usage levels, the changes in technology and the availability of media on many different devices”.

The IBI is focused on two key areas of change – the abolition of Sound and Vision and its replacement with a new Public Service Broadcasting Fund and the funding of the Regulator from the proposed Public Service Broadcasting Charge which will be levied on all households instead of the TV licence fee.

Scott Williams points out that the stated aim of the Sound & Vision Scheme was to allow broadcasters to produce programmes which would not normally be financially viable in order to provide a better service to the public. However, he says that an extremely high number of broadcasters have stopped applying for Sound & Vision funding due to the rejection of high levels of submissions and an application system that is an administrative nightmare for the Regulator and applicant alike.

“Public service broadcasting is an essential service provided by independent radio stations at significant cost which is not recognised by the BAI or supported by Exchequer funding.    We can address this anomaly and fix much of what is wrong with the current scheme, if we replaced Sound & Vision with a new Public Service Broadcasting Fund .  A specified percentage of the fund would be ring-fenced for commercial radio broadcasting and the qualifications for funding would be streamlined to broaden the type of programmes included in the scheme e.g. live programming. This would recognise that much of the output of independent broadcasters is public service in nature and highly popular while allowing independent radio stations to provide great radio for its listeners”, he says.

On future funding of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, Williams says that the broadcasting industry believes that given that more monies will be collected by the proposed Public Broadcasting Charge, this should be used to directly fund the regulator, rather than levying the industry.

“The current levy is in the region of  €6 million per annum which is a significant burden on many stations.  Using the Public Broadcasting Charge to directly fund the regulator will provide a financial benefit to all radio and television broadcasters – state funded, commercial or community.   The €6 million saved by the industry is a sizeable figure which would be available for reinvestment in quality programming and employment in the sector”, said Williams.

“It is in the interests of the listening public that the Minister carefully examines the funding of broadcasting in Ireland and identifies ways in which the new Public Service Broadcasting Charge can support the broad based local, regional and national radio broadcasting sector in Ireland.   Our proposals are cost neutral and  will ultimately deliver a stronger broadcasting sector for the benefit of radio listeners and for benefit of the 1500 people employed in the sector”, he said.

“Independent radio is consistently winning and retaining a majority share of Irish radio listeners.  Our strength is the diversity of our offering which reflects the communities in which we are based and broadcast.  We are embracing new technologies to ensure that our listeners can tune in wherever they are and regardless of what they are doing and that is why the remain loyal to us”, said Scott Williams, Chairman, Independent Broadcasters of Ireland.

“Despite the choice of media outlets, the success of independent broadcasters continues to increase.  Year on year we continue to grow our audience by providing greater diversity and greater choice to Ireland’s radio listeners.  The wealth of talent in radio stations throughout the country who are making great programmes and keeping listeners tuned in is central to the commercial success of our members.   Our growth has been achieved without the benefit of a license fee subvention or indeed the extensive resources which our national broadcaster enjoys”.

The economic and social contribution of the independent broadcasting sector cannot be underestimated and in particular the employment supported.  1500 people are working in independent radio broadcasting in Ireland.

The IBI has submitted its response to the BAI’s draft Broadcasting Services Strategy.

“The viability of independent radio stations must be the central, predominant and principal consideration for the BAI at all times”, said Scott Williams, Chairman of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland and CEO of Q102. “Regrettably, certain elements of the proposed strategy will ultimately threaten rather than support a strong, viable independent broadcasting sector”.

“The IBI is strongly opposed to the proposal to impose a cash sum payment on broadcasters for a sound broadcasting licence and wants this proposal removed entirely from the BAI strategy. A cash sum payment as envisaged would amount to a second unnecessary levy on the sector at a time when many stations are under financial pressure”.

“It is also extremely important that permitted levels of ownership are maintained at the current level of 25%.  The proposal to reduce ownership to 20% is without merit or any justification.  All media ownership changes must also be approved by Competition Authority in any case. This provides adequate protection against monopoly positions developing within the sector. The higher level of ownership must be maintained to allow for greater diversity for the radio listener”, said Williams.

The majority of the country’s local radio franchises will be relicensed over the coming two years and the IBI has made a number of key recommendations in this regard.   The IBI believes that the BAI should conduct a sectoral impact study before considering the award of any additional radio licences. It also believes the experience of incumbent broadcasters must be a key determinant in all license awards.

“In awarding a broadcasting contract particular weighting must be given to the high levels of listenership to independent radio stations and the amount of public service broadcasting done by independent stations.  This public service broadcasting is not acknowledged by Government or the BAI and the funding of public sector broadcasting must be urgently reviewed.  We believe it is anti-competitive to fund public service broadcasting on RTÉ only, whilst also allowing RTÉ to raise additional funds through advertising and sponsorship”.

“Given the high number of franchise areas to be relicensed and the resources this will require from both regulator and applicant, fast-tracking of licences must be adopted by the Contracts Awards Committee as its next step rather than an optional move” said Williams.

“This strategy is of extreme importance to IBI members. The greatest asset that broadcasters have is access to the airwaves and the strategy will define the key structures by which independent radio licences will be issued in the coming years”, he said.  “It is in the interests of the listening public that this BAI strategy is carefully implemented in a manner to support the broad based local, regional and national radio broadcasting sector in Ireland.

The IBI submission can viewed here