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OfCom stops local DAB broadcaster MuxCo’s expansion into Swansea

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AN APPLICATION by MuxCo Wales Limited (“MuxCo”), the holder of the local radio multiplex licence for Mid & West Wales, to extend the licensed area for its service to include Swansea, has been refused by Ofcom this week (Aug 1).

MuxCo broadcasts Radio Pembrokeshire, Radio Carmarthenshire, Swansea Bay Radio, National Radio, Dragon Radio, Heart and BBC Radio Wales to Mid and West Wales in the DAB radio format.

But MuxCo’s grab for the Swansea broadcast area did not safeguard other commercial interests, OfCom said.

A spokesman from the broadcasting regulator told The Herald: “We do not consider that we have sufficient evidence to be satisfied that there are sufficient safeguards in place to protect the rights and interests of other multiplex operators.”

A public consultation was held between 30 January and 28 February 2017.Ofcom received three responses  – one from the holder of the Swansea local radio multiplex licence, Switchdigital (S&S) Limited (“Switchdigital”), opposing the request, and two other responses from individuals who were in support of the request.

In considering MuxCo’s request in relation to the first of the policy criteria listed above, Ofcom took account of the fact that the request, if approved, would not result in local DAB coverage being extended into an un-served area as there is no proposed change to the coverage of the Mid & West Wales multiplex.

Indeed, in its application for the change MuxCo stated that the purpose of its request was to “formally incorporate coverage [of the city and county of Swansea] that the multiplex already delivers”. Since the proposal would not provide a service in an un-served area as the Mux Co service is already being transmitted in the Swansea area, its provision would not in itself enhance consumer choice in terms of the services available in the Swansea area (listeners would continue to receive the services they are able to receive currently) or result in an increase in competition in that area. Also in its response to the consultation, Switchdigital argued that the proposal to make a formal change to MuxCo’s licensed area, if approved, could operate to harm the development of DAB broadcasting because it would increase the cost to Switchdigital, whose service was specifically designed and licensed for the Swansea area, of improving the coverage of its own multiplex in that area (if it chose to do so) as in that event Switchdigital would be required to deploy an additional transmitter to avoid causing interference to the Mid & West Wales multiplex. Whilst we acknowledge that Switchdigital might have to deploy an additional transmitter in these circumstances, we do not attach great weight to this argument since the coverage of the Swansea multiplex in the area which MuxCo is seeking to add to its licensed area is already very extensive, and consequently, it does not seem very likely that Switchdigital would seek to enhance its coverage there.

An Ofcom report into the application stated: “Both MuxCo and Switchdigital made reference in their submissions to the Local DAB Expansion Plan, an agreement between Government, the BBC and the operators of local DAB multiplexes (i.e. including both MuxCo and Switchdigital) made in 2014 to extend and improve local DAB coverage to make it broadly equivalent to the existing FM coverage of the largest local commercial radio service in each local area.”

The report went on to say: “MuxCo stated that as part of “the wider industry discussions” (i.e. the discussions which led to this agreement), “we believe that there are sufficient safeguards in place to protect the rights and interests of other multiplex operators and the services they carry”. However, Switchdigital pointed out that MuxCo had not requested this extension to its licensed area during the negotiations that led to that agreement so the extension was not considered alongside the series of other changes to licensed areas (and frequencies) requested by all local multiplex operators in 2015 to help facilitate the Local DAB Expansion Plan2 (i.e. what MuxCo referred to as “the wider industry discussions”).”

Ofcom said: “Consequently, MuxCo’s belief that the rights and interests of other local multiplex operators were sufficiently safeguarded on the basis of that agreement was based on industry discussions which had not considered the change to the licensed area MuxCo was now proposing.

“In light of the above and having considered all the available information and representations made, we do not consider that we have sufficient evidence to be satisfied that there are sufficient safeguards in place to protect the rights and interests of other multiplex operators.

 

 

 

Community

Shop targeted by youths in stone-throwing incident

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A HAVERFORDWEST fish and chip shop has been left with a hefty repair bill after a group of youths allegedly targeted the premises in a late-night incident.

Coronation Chippy said it was attacked on Saturday (Apr 26), when a “bunch of kids” spent around 15 minutes throwing stones at the shop’s windows and doors. The business reported that the glass canopy at the front of the shop was smashed during the incident, leaving debris scattered outside.

In a social media post, the owners described the damage as costing “£1000s of pounds” and said the incident had caused distress not only to staff but also to neighbouring businesses.

They said: “Unfortunately, our business was a target to thugs yesterday. A bunch of kids with nothing better to do and even less respect for others decided to spend 15 minutes throwing stones at the windows and doors of the shop. This resulted in the glass canopy that covers the shop being smashed.”

Dyfed-Powys Police attended the scene, with the business thanking officers for their “prompt response and support.” Crews from Haverfordwest Fire Station were also called to make the area safe by removing broken glass.

The shop also praised local contractor Dave Hughes of W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd for assisting with urgent repairs, along with neighbours who offered support in the aftermath.

The owners added: “The result of what these kids think of as ‘fun’ has resulted in £1000s of pounds of damage, the involvement of multiple services and upset so many.”

Police have not yet confirmed whether any arrests have been made.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

 

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Business

Most Welsh voters say King’s US visit will make little difference

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A NEW poll of Welsh voters suggests most people believe King Charles’s official state visit to the United States is unlikely to change US policy towards the UK.

The YouGov polling, carried out in Wales, found that 56% of respondents thought the visit would not make much difference.

A further 24% believed it would improve US policy towards the UK, with 6% saying it would improve it a lot and 18% saying it would improve it a little.

Only 5% thought the visit would make matters worse, while 16% said they did not know.

The findings suggest that while there is some public belief that the monarchy can still play a diplomatic role, most people in Wales appear unconvinced that a state visit alone will significantly shift American policy.

MPs drinking before late-night votes

The same polling also found strong opposition in Wales to MPs drinking alcohol on evenings when they are later expected to vote in Parliament.

Asked whether it was acceptable for MPs to drink alcohol on evenings where late-night votes are due to take place, 60% said it was completely unacceptable.

A further 18% said it was somewhat unacceptable, meaning almost eight in ten respondents opposed the practice.

Only 14% said it was acceptable, with 2% saying it was completely acceptable and 12% saying it was somewhat acceptable.

The findings come amid continuing public concern over standards in Westminster and the conduct of elected representatives.

Grey squirrel fertility plan divides opinion

The poll also showed Welsh voters are divided over proposals to make grey squirrels infertile as a way of reducing their population.

A total of 39% said they would support such a programme, with 14% strongly supporting it and 25% somewhat supporting it.

However, 36% said they were opposed, including 22% who somewhat opposed it and 14% who strongly opposed it.

A quarter of respondents said they did not know.

The idea of controlling grey squirrel numbers has been discussed for years because of the impact the species has on native red squirrels and woodland habitats.

But the Welsh polling suggests the public remains split over whether fertility control is the right way to deal with the issue.

 

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News

Most Welsh voters say King’s US visit will make little difference

Published

on

A NEW poll of Welsh voters suggests most people believe King Charles’s official state visit to the United States is unlikely to change US policy towards the UK.

The YouGov polling, carried out in Wales, found that 56% of respondents thought the visit would not make much difference.

A further 24% believed it would improve US policy towards the UK, with 6% saying it would improve it a lot and 18% saying it would improve it a little.

Only 5% thought the visit would make matters worse, while 16% said they did not know.

The findings suggest that while there is some public belief that the monarchy can still play a diplomatic role, most people in Wales appear unconvinced that a state visit alone will significantly shift American policy.

MPs drinking before late-night votes

The same polling also found strong opposition in Wales to MPs drinking alcohol on evenings when they are later expected to vote in Parliament.

Asked whether it was acceptable for MPs to drink alcohol on evenings where late-night votes are due to take place, 60% said it was completely unacceptable.

A further 18% said it was somewhat unacceptable, meaning almost eight in ten respondents opposed the practice.

Only 14% said it was acceptable, with 2% saying it was completely acceptable and 12% saying it was somewhat acceptable.

The findings come amid continuing public concern over standards in Westminster and the conduct of elected representatives.

Grey squirrel fertility plan divides opinion

The poll also showed Welsh voters are divided over proposals to make grey squirrels infertile as a way of reducing their population.

A total of 39% said they would support such a programme, with 14% strongly supporting it and 25% somewhat supporting it.

However, 36% said they were opposed, including 22% who somewhat opposed it and 14% who strongly opposed it.

A quarter of respondents said they did not know.

The idea of controlling grey squirrel numbers has been discussed for years because of the impact the species has on native red squirrels and woodland habitats.

But the Welsh polling suggests the public remains split over whether fertility control is the right way to deal with the issue.

 

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