GMG’s proposal was to co-locate QFM with a neighbouring station that it already owned – namely Real Radio, which is licensed to serve the whole of Central Scotland. To do so, it felt, would vastly improve the commercial viability of QFM, which has performed relatively poorly in both audience and revenue terms in recent years, while also offering other potential advantages such as enhanced opportunities for staff development.
Ofcom published its consultation on 29 June 2006, with a closing date for responses of 27 July 2006.
Following consideration of the consultation responses and the views of Ofcom’s Content Board, the RLC decided to agree to the proposed change. It felt that GMG had made a convincing case in favour of co-location with Real Radio, that emphasised both the economic and other benefits that such a move should bring. (Despite having a sizeable coverage area, QFM operates on the periphery of the well-developed Glasgow marketplace, and consequently faces strong competition for both listeners and advertisers). In taking its decision, the RLC was fully cognisant of its statutory duties under section 314 of the Communications Act 2003, including the requirement to have regard to its own published guidelines on localness. It noted that GMG was not seeking to reduce the commitments contained within its Format relating to the type and quantity of output that should be broadcast (indeed, it was noted that GMG had committed to doubling the minimum number of local news bulletins broadcast each weekday: this was welcomed, and the Format will be amended accordingly). Compliance with the Format will continue to be assessed by Ofcom’s Radio Content team.