In a new report entitled Action Stations, the body has called for a more level playing field for commercial radio in the face of stiff competition from digital players such as Spotify, Deezer and iTunes, which remain largely unregulated.
The report highlights the need for commercial radio stations to comply with rules on music content, local production and licence renewals, while their digital counterparts do not.
Chairman of the All Party Group for Commercial Radio, Andrew Bingham MP, is now seeking parliamentary time to debate issues raised in the report.
Siobhan Kenny, chief executive of RadioCentre said: ‘Today’s report shows that commercial radio continues to play a central role in the life of local communities across the UK, even within an ever-changing digital landscape.
‘Radio is evolving rapidly to meet these new challenges, but we ask government to ensure that the industry is not fettered by outdated regulation, and welcome this chance to discuss the issue in Parliament.’
Bingham added: ‘The report highlights the enormous amount of good work by commercial radio stations. I don’t want to see this value put at risk, so I will be looking for some time for a debate in the House, to highlight the benefits of and challenges facing commercial radio.
‘As technology moves forward bringing new platforms and services I think it could be time for the Government to conduct a review of these issues - for the benefit of the industry and its listeners.’
You can download the full report at http://www.radiocentre.org/files/action_stations_web.pdf
The report highlights the need for commercial radio stations to comply with rules on music content, local production and licence renewals, while their digital counterparts do not.
Chairman of the All Party Group for Commercial Radio, Andrew Bingham MP, is now seeking parliamentary time to debate issues raised in the report.
Siobhan Kenny, chief executive of RadioCentre said: ‘Today’s report shows that commercial radio continues to play a central role in the life of local communities across the UK, even within an ever-changing digital landscape.
‘Radio is evolving rapidly to meet these new challenges, but we ask government to ensure that the industry is not fettered by outdated regulation, and welcome this chance to discuss the issue in Parliament.’
Bingham added: ‘The report highlights the enormous amount of good work by commercial radio stations. I don’t want to see this value put at risk, so I will be looking for some time for a debate in the House, to highlight the benefits of and challenges facing commercial radio.
‘As technology moves forward bringing new platforms and services I think it could be time for the Government to conduct a review of these issues - for the benefit of the industry and its listeners.’
You can download the full report at http://www.radiocentre.org/files/action_stations_web.pdf
