While Capital/Grant are probably more likely to sell 6iX, at the same time I don’t think Nine Radio would say no to any decent offer for a post-FM converted 6PR from either ARN or Nova Entertainment.
1 Like
I can’t see Nine selling their only Perth license as having 6PR gives them scale to compete with the ABC. It also gives them a network of stations in the 4 largest capital cities, for both talkback and music (6GT).
6 Likes
Yes. Option 1 is the only one that actually addresses the real reception issues that need to be fixed. Although services like Radio National may not top the ratings, they are culturally important, and the Breakfast and Drive shifts contribute to information and debate about big-picture issues.
6 Likes
So when will the ACMA make a decision on this? Maybe they will be it in the too hard basket and decide the best option is no option. Would make sense, after all all the AM stations have a good strong signal on DAB.
3 Likes
It would be interesting to know whether the take up of DAB is higher in Perth than other cities and whether the AM issue might be part of the reason.
1 Like
Probably limited especially with few cars with DAB radio. But my comment was really a possible reason to delay or not decide if it is in the too hard basket, which it probably is! After all, why so keen to put stations on FM when we have had DAB for more than 10 years already?
2 Likes
You answered your own question. For many reasons, DAB takeup just isn’t at a level to be a real substitute for AM/FM.
In Perth, more so that any other city, reception of AM is terrible due to poor ground conductivity and the ever increasing noise floor interference.
4 Likes
It’s also amazing that Perth was the only state capital where AM commercial stations were restricted to 2kw TX power for years and years (when most other cities were 5kw)
2 Likes
I agree and I remember reading that some car manufacturers are now getting rid of AM in favour of FM. Outside car radio most domestic hifi units either do the old school AM/FM or modern FM/DAB+. And guess which one is common to both? This is the reason the ACMA should be depending on to go for the option to move all AM stations to FM, starting with Perth and then move to all other cities and regions.
4 Likes
I was at RPA hospital waiting for a friend the other day and I was trying to listen to 2GB and it was virtually impossible.
2 Likes
Yes AM has become unlistenable in many parts of metro areas. It’s got to be either FM or DAB moving forward. Yet some AM operators like the Nine talk stations simply refuse to promote the fact they are on DAB. It’s utterly senseless. Instead stations like 4BC make a big deal of moving to a “better” AM frequency. What a joke.
3 Likes
I’m sure I was reading in the submissions and the paper from ACMA that they will make a decision on this in the first quarter of 2022. I’m confident they’ll go with option 1. Then you’ll see Capital/Grants sell 6IX. Or at least Grants offload their 50%. Who to? That’s anyone’s guess.
3 Likes
Probably because they are prioritising promotion of online listening options.
1 Like
Either ARN or Nova will for work for me. I am sure Nova will migrate 6iX it to a Smooth station and ARN to a Gold station. That would make sense since these would be closest to the current 6iX demographic (especially a 4KQ like Gold station) and this format has disappeared from Perth FM airwaves.
Yes that would be the safest option. It is fair (all stations get converted) and commercial radio will be happiest (will lock out any new entrants to Perth radio indefinitely).
1 Like
Option 1 definitely makes sense.
Yes this would make absolute sense if either network did this. Smooth on DAB in Perth rates well and the same for ARN’s 80’s station. If 50% is sold off both ARN and Nova could legally own that share.
No. ARN would need to sell their 50% of Nova Perth.
1 Like
So ARN own 100% of 96FM. 50% of Nova. Could they buy into 50% of 6IX? Or is the law that you can only have shares in two interests regardless of the %? I see Nova would have no issues in buying 50% or even 100% of 6IX. I assume if they did you would see a Smooth Perth?
2 Likes
Above 15% equals 100% for the sake of ownership.
3 Likes
Off topic for this thread, but would they would want to sell 50% of Nova for 50 or even 100% of 6IX? Surely 50% of a top rating station is better than 50 or 100% of a low rating AM, albeit possibly converting to FM station that needs a ton of work and investment?
1 Like