TWO local radio stations have signed renewed contracts allowing them to broadcast for the next seven years. A third is to sign today.
The contracts of all 21 local independent radio stations are due for renewal, having been given for seven years in 1986, when they first came on air.
Dublin's FM 104 which was the first station to go on air when it was known as Capital Radio and WLR FM in Waterford renewed their contracts yesterday. Mayo's Mid West Radio will sign its contract today.
All the stations will be examined by the regulatory body, the Independent, Radio and Television Commission, over the next few months.
Radio Limerick has been served with a notice to terminate its contract but it has appealed for a judicial review of the decision. This comes up in the High Court in Dublin this week.
With the exception of this local station, the future of which is now in the hands of the High Court, all the other stations are expected to have their contracts renewed until the year 2003.
Yesterday, the chairman of the IRTC, Mr Niall Stokes, said that the contract signing marked the beginning of the next phase for local radio.