Coimisiún na Meán seeks expressions of interest for sound broadcasting services

Coimisiún na Meán (“the Commission”) today (21.03.24) placed a public notice in a national paper seeking expressions of interests from parties interested in securing a sound broadcasting contract (“Contract”) for the provision of the service/s listed below.  

Munster

• South East Region comprising Waterford City and County, South Tipperary, and Counties Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford – Music-driven regional service for the 15 – 34 age group 

The Contract, currently held by WKW FM Limited and broadcasting as Beat 102-103, is due to expire on 30 March 2025. 

Guide and Form

• County Kerry – Broad-format local service 

The Contract, currently held by Raidió Chiarraí Teoranta and broadcasting as Radio Kerry, is due to expire on 9 April 2025.  

Guide and Form 

• Cork City and County – two services to be operated under a single contract, as follows: 

1. Broad-format local service, broadcasting as C103 
2. Music-driven local service for the 25-44 age group, broadcasting as Cork’s 96FM 

The Contract, currently held by County Media Limited and broadcasting the above services, is due to expire on 30 April 2025.  

Guide and Form 

Connaught-Ulster 

• North Donegal – Broad-format local service 

The Contract, currently held by Donegal Highland Radio Limited and broadcasting as Highland Radio, is due to expire on 30 March 2025. 

Guide and Form 

• County Sligo, South Donegal and North Leitrim – Broad-format local service  

The Contract, currently held by North West Broadcasting Limited and broadcasting as Ocean FM, is due to expire on 30 March 2025. 

Guide and Form

Leinster, excluding Dublin City and County 

• Counties Kilkenny and Carlow – Broad-format local service 

The Contract, currently held by C.K. Broadcasting Limited and broadcasting as KCLR 96FM, is due to expire on 21 April 2025. 

Guide and Form 

• Counties Laois, Offaly and Westmeath – Broad-format local service   

The Contract, currently held by Midlands Community Radio Services Limited and broadcasting as Midlands 103, is due to expire on 30 March 2025.  

Guide and Form 

Dublin City and County 

• Dublin City and County – Music-driven local service for the 15 – 34 age group 

The Contract, currently held by Bauer Audio Ireland Limited acting as a general partner of Bauer Audio Ireland LP and broadcasting as Spin103.8, is due to expire on 5 April 2025. 

Guide and Form 

• Dublin City and County – Niche music-driven local service  

The Contract, currently held by Star Broadcasting Limited and broadcasting as Sunshine 106.8, is due to expire on 30 March 2025. 

Guide and Form

Interested parties should carefully read the Commission’s relevant Guide for Expressions of Interest and then complete in full the Expression of Interest form for the relevant service or services. The guides and forms for the above sound broadcasting services are available at the links above  or on request from the Commission’s offices (email: licensing@cnam.ie or call 01 644 1200).   

New applicants should also reference the Indicative Guide for Competitive Licensing here.  

Parties interested in submitting expressions of interest to the Commission should do so by 12 noon on Monday, 20 May 2024.