Dublin radio station 98FM was given clearance to reduce its news and current affairs content by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) earlier this year, the Sunday Independent has learned.
nder statutory rules, commercial stations must ensure 20pc of its content is news and current affairs. However, youth stations and music stations can seek a derogation.
Communicorp was granted a derogation in January, a few weeks before it was announced that the radio group was being acquired by Bauer Media. However, a Communicorp spokesman said it was not linked to the sale. Under the derogation, the news and current affairs requirement falls to 15pc.
A spokeswoman for the BAI said the regulator received a proposal from 98FM for a derogation last year.
“The request was initially considered at the Authority’s November meeting. At the meeting, the Authority did not approve the proposed derogation.
"The Authority noted that should the contractor wish to make an amended submission, it should provide further information on how the proposal met with the requirements of the Broadcasting Services Strategy and the BAI’s approach to regulatory measures concerning sound broadcasting services,” she said.
A second request was submitted for consideration at the BAI’s meeting in January 2021.
“98FM sought to replace its mid-morning current affairs show, Dublin Talks, with a show with a music and entertainment focus. The proposal would result in the news and current affairs output being reduced to 15pc (both in primetime and across the total broadcast day).
It was approved at the BAI meeting on January 21.
The derogation approval was subject to a commitment from 98FM that it would maintain a significant focus on local Dublin news and current affairs.
Derogation requests have previously been granted several music-driven, youth and niche stations – Sunshine 106.8, Radio Nova, Spin 106.8, Spin South West, FM104, Q102, Beat, and iRadio.
It was announced on February 25 that Bauer Media would acquire Denis O’Brien’s Communicorp, which also owned Today FM and Newstalk.
The family-owned German media group paid an estimated €100m for the group.
