GWR chairman calls for independent radio review

GWR Group chairman Henry Meakin has called for an independent review of UK commercial radio to cover legislation, ownership and technology.

This alone can ensure a long-term legislatory framework which offers the industry the flexibility required to fulfil its potential, he told the Kagan Conference on World Radio this week.

“The everyday use and simplicity of radio is perhaps the industry’s worst enemy,” he says.

“It lulls people into believing that all things to do with radio are equally simple.”

However, existing legislation is complex. And future emerging technologies will require new guidelines.

Despite recent growth in the medium, Meakin added that radio is “being stifled by rules of ownership which apply perhaps better to the industry of the late Eighties”.

GWR holds 20 commercial radio licences but is prevented from further expansion by the Radio Authority’s controversial points system, despite only reaching 8 million people.

Other companies with fewer licences can reach between 16 and 17 million, he pointed out.

Scott’s Porage Oats has become the first advertiser to sign up for Scottish Radio Link – Metro Radio and Scottish Radio’s test marketing package for radio advertisers.

The company has bought a “weatherlink” package which comprises normal airtime plus extra minutage which will be used only according to a daily weather forecast prediction of

3 deg C or below.

The campaign is being monitored by Retail Marketing In-store Services within a number of Safeway’s stores in the Radio Clyde, Radio Forth and Central FM area.