Media Maze

An auction of licences suitable for sound broadcasting is planned for the end of March 2009. Each lot will comprise two licences, one commencing 1 July 2009 with expiry on 2 April 2011, and a second licence from 2011 to 2031. The second licence will only be provided once the successful bidder confirms that the first licence is in operation. There are no restrictions on acquisition by parties holding normal commercial licences.

The auction is expected to be conducted using an oral outcry auction process and is to be held in Wellington. Remote telephone bidding will be available by arrangement. Details of the vanue and registration requirements will be posted on this web site by the end of February.

www.rsm.govt.nz/

Following on from last years auction in which I registered and bid for a Wellington non commercial community frequency. A story for another time, but at this stage the winning bid for Wgtn has not started broadcasting. I think he has about a month to go or be in breach of the conditions. I wish him all the best, but my scoping exercise put costings at $100k for setup and ongoing costs of $50k per annum for a very basic station to meet criteria. My funding was at $200k. No doubt the downturn in the economy has had an impact. My radio collagues at one of the major networks are feeling the pinch, so this frequency would face an uphill battle, given NZ has more radio stations per person than anywhere else without the current economic situation, any start up would be tough going, without the community criteria requirements of this licence.