Won’t SCA be in breach of their ACMA 6EL divestiture undertaking by removing Spirit 621 from the Spirit network on March 16th?
This will require Spirit 621 to become 100% local and independently produced, albeit probably only through the addition of overnight and weekend automated music playout. A significant change to any radio station operation, and a change not permitted while SCA are in control of Spirit 621.
Maybe March 16 was chosen because that is the date a new owner of 621 takes over, who knows?
Whereas West Coast have dropped syndicated programs entirely from their two Mandurah licenses. If they wanted to enter the Bunbury market, I can’t see them being anything but local
SCA has to divest 6EL as no broadcaster can own more than 2 commercial radio licenses in a market.
However, could a future owner operate 6EL with mostly SCA programming?
Maybe; it would depend on the relationship between SCA and 6EL. Macquarie Regional RadioWorks, the old Southern Cross side of the merger, ran into trouble over their relationship with Elmie Investments, which took over 6EL after MRRW divested the station following the RG Capital and DMG Regional Radio acquisitions.
The Broadcasting Services Amendment (Media Ownership) Act 2006 amended what relationship would constitute ‘control’ over a license.
(5) The following are examples of situations that, depending on the circumstances, may be relevant in determining whether a person is in a position to exercise control of 2 or more licences:
[…]
b) the program content of a substantial percentage of the total number of hours of programs broadcast under one of those licences is the same as the program content of a substantial percentage of the total number of hours of programs broadcast under the other licence or licences;
c) the licensees have financial relationships with each other;
A Mix-branded station that took the same networked programming as Triple M would likely constitute a breach; however, if SCA were - for some reason - to offer the Mix programs up for free, they may be in the clear.
Would Wave / Coast in Mandurah want an AM station in an adjoining market? Or would Grant be a more likely buyer and network it with 6IX? I don’t know much about the WA radio market so just guessing.
Somewhat sad to see the enblandaning of the regional WA markets, however, it is SCA we are talking about…
One wonders if EON or Resonate might be circling the books? Yes, Oceania Capital may not be in the picture, but purchasing by stealth is one way to hold onto the market.
It’s one very easy way to avoid dealing with sales and section 5, basically provide marketing and programming, jobs done, keep Capital/WCM out.
What will matter more is which (if any) of the Mix programs that the rest of the Spirit (and Triple M WA) network will pick up, but that’s really minor in the scale of things.
I know this is wishful thinking But I wish SCA would adopt the Spirit music format and start using it on some of the regional TripleM stations. Some examples - Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg and Newcastle.
This format would work well in these areas as it would have a good point of difference to the other stations in the area.
Would be. The current show comes out of Perth - I think the only local content is in Geraldton, there’s a voicetracked shift done by one of the sales team I believe
They should sell to Crocmedia - guarantees it won’t be a viable station, and being actually on band would be a huge improvement over the rest of the frequencies they buy.
What about a joint Grants/Capital takeover. Turn it into A Forever Classic station with announcers from Perth to voicetrack. They’d only need local breakfast and workdays from Bunbury. The rest from Perth.
But I wish SCA would adopt the Spirit music format and start using it on some of the regional TripleM stations. Some examples - Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg and Newcastle.