THREE Irish media interests have formed a consortium to apply for a radio licence in London. Mid West Radio, North West Radio and Thomas Crosbie Holdings Ltd are applying for the 104.9 PM frequency, which had been operated by Radio Melody.
Mid West Radio broadcasts to Mayo, while North West, owned by the same company, broadcasts to Sligo and Leitrim. Thomas Crosbie Holdings Ltd owns the Examiner newspaper. The Examiner has made a number of recent media investments. It has increased its local newspaper holdings and has the contract to print the Irish editions of the London Times and Sunday Times.
It is also a shareholder in Radio Ireland, which won the franchise for the independent national radio licence.
The consortium also includes a number of British companies and individuals. The managing director of Mid West and North West Radio, Mr Paul Claffey, said the consortium had proven expertise in radio services which could be used in any market. He pointed to the success abroad of Dublin station 98 PM, which operates a station in Prague.
It is expected there will be over 40 applicants for the licence. The managing director of Thomas Crosbie Holdings, Mr Anthony Dinan, said there was a case for Irish companies making strategic investments in new markets, while remaining within their core competencies. It was part of the Thomas Crosbie Holdings policy to increase its business in media related activities, he said.
According to the consortium, its research showed a gap which could be filled with an Irish community service which would appeal to a wider audience.