Media

Commercial radio chief says: “Let us run BBC local radio”

By | Published on Tuesday 22 March 2011

Orion Media

Commercial radio group Orion Media, which operates various local stations in the Midlands, has proposed that the BBC should pay it to run a local radio service in the Birmingham area because it reckons it could provide a good speech-based service much more cost effectively.

The proposal follows news the BBC is considering cutting the amount of locally-produced output on its network of local stations in England, pumping out 5Live on its local frequencies in off peak time periods instead. Such a move is one of a number of cost cutting methods currently be reviewed by BBC bosses.

But Orion boss Phil Riley says the suggestion Birmingham might lose its locally-produced BBC service is “outrageous”, telling Radio Today: “This city creates a mass of news and sport stories everyday. It is unacceptable that the BBC should be cutting back on its service to the city. We already have an accomplished and credible news and sports team based at [Orion-owned Birmingham station] BRMB ready and willing to provide the service. Great talk radio is about not just news, but local presenters, interesting guests and listeners who want to participate and reflect the richness of the area where they live”.

Riley added that he reckoned he could provide the services currently offered by the BBC’s West Midlands local station on about half the budget. A spokesman for the Beeb said it had received Riley’s proposal and would respond in due course, while adding no decisions had been made about the future of their local radio services.



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