“ A difference is only a difference if it makes a difference “ - Gertrude Stein

Ocean FM - Making a difference in the North West since 2004

Ocean FM - Making a difference in the North West since 2004 An Application For Provision of a Local Broad-Format Sound Broadcasting Service for , North Leitrim and South

1 1. SECTION

2 Index

Section 1: Index Page 3 4.2: Shareholding Structure 25 1. i) Existing or proposed shareholding structure of the 25 Section 2: Introduction to the Applicant Page 7 Applicant, issued share capital and class/classes of shares ii) Loan stock 25

a) Applicant’s name and contact details 7 iii) Please state: 25 b) Main Contact (For Public Purposes) 7 a) Shareholders details 25 SECTION c) Proposed Station Name 7 b) Beneficial owners 26 d) Brief Description of Programme Service 7 c) Shareholding details 26 e) List of Advisors 8 d) Voting rights 26 e) Loan stock 26 f) Shares to be issued and loan stock to be subscribed 26 Section 3: Membership of the Applicant Page 11 iv) Shareholder details where a shareholder of the 26 Applicant is a body corporate/entity

a) Members of the Applicant 11 v) Shareholder Information 26 b) When the Applicant was formed, its current legal 17 vi) Shareholders Agreement 27

status and financial standing 4.3: Management Structure 27 i) Description of management structure 27

Section 4: Ownership and Control of the Applicant Page 19 ii) Details, qualifications and experience to date 28 iii) Policies in respect of: Management remuneration; 29

4.1: Board of Directors 19 Employment contracts; Share options; Pensions and i) Director Details 19 benefits; Any other relevant commitments (financial or ii) Chairperson 25 otherwise) iii) Directors to be appointed 25 4.4 Character of the Applicant 31 4.5 Additional Commitments 31

3 Index

Page 33 Page 69 1. Section 5: Programming Section 6: Studios and Transmission.

5.1 Programming Strategy 33 6.1 Studios 69 i) Ongoing strategies for: Programme research; Programme 33 6.2 Transmission Proposal 77 production; Quality control; Compliance 6.2.1 Negotiations with the owner/operator of site/s 77 ii) Criteria for success 35 6.2.2 Transmission plan and coverage 77

SECTION 6.2.3 Technical characteristics of transmitter stations 77 5.2: Programme Policy Statement 36 6.2.4 Additional information 78 5.2.1 Broadcasting Philosophy 36 6.2.5 Coverage plots 81 5.2.2 Target Audience 39 6.2.6 Link network 86 5.2.3 Broadcasting day 39 6.2.7 Capital costs for transmission equipment 86 5.2.4 News 40 6.2.8 Technical expertise 88 5.2.5 Sport 43 6.2.9 Additional Commitment 88 5.2.6 Current Affairs programming 46 6.2.10 Technical conditions 88 5.2.7 Speech programming 49 5.2.8 and Irish Culture programming 53 Section 7: Market Analysis, Financial and Business Plan Page 91 5.2.9 Music Policy 57 5.2.10 Irish Music Policy 59 7.1 Analysis of Existing Marketplace 91 5.2.11 New Opportunities for Irish talent 60 i) Performance of existing operators 92 5.2.12 Purchase and sale of broadcast material 61 ii) Audience ratings 94 5.2.13 Other programming proposals 61 iii) Advertising revenue 95 5.3 Programme Schedule 62 iv) Market trends 98 5.4 Additional Commitments 67 v) Other relevant issues 102

4 Index

7.2 Demand and Potential for the Type of Service Proposed Page 104 Section 8: Proposed Commencement of Broadcasting Page 127 1.

7.2.1 Anticipated Performance of Service 106 8.1 Readiness Date 127 i) Target audience 106 8.2 Critical path analysis 127 ii) Nature of the market 108 iii) Projected listenership ratings 109 iv) Impact if listenership projections are not achieved 110 Section 9: Summary of Proposals Page 129 SECTION v) Advertising, sponsorship and other forms of revenue 111

potential 9.1 Staff 129 vi) Impact on existing services 116 9.2 Programming 129 9.3 Market Analysis 130 7.2.2 Strategies for Achieving Proposed Listenership and 116 9.4 Financial 131 Revenue Targets i) Channels of distribution 116 ii) Sales methods and representations 117 iii) Proposed rates 118 iv) Promotion and marketing policy 119 7.3 Overall Financial Strategy 121 7.4. Investment Proposal 122 7.5 Sources of Funding and Expenditure 122 7.6 Financial Projections 123

7.7 Staffing Matters 123 7.8 Additional Commitments 125

5 2. SECTION

6 Introduction to the Applicant

Applicant’s name and contact details. Brief Description of Programme Service. 2. Ocean FM is a full service local radio station providing North West Broadcasting Ltd t/a Ocean FM programming that appeals to all adults, with a particular focus Tim Collins, CEO on people aged 25 years and older. Our service is based on Ocean FM Broadcast Centre a philosophy of “local first” with local news, sport, current North West Business Park affairs and talk programming forming the backbone of our Collooney programme schedule.

Co. Sligo SECTION Our daytime programmes reflect our deep roots in Tel: 00 353 71 9118100 communities across the North West with content of relevance Fax: 00 353 71 9118101 to a wide range of tastes and interests. Our general music is Email: [email protected] a mix of current and older music from the 60’s to the present day. We have a significant commitment to specialist country Main Contact (For Public Purposes) music with almost 17 hours per week.

Tim Collins, CEO We are the leading station in the country for playing Irish music Ocean FM Broadcast Centre across all genres and have received the IMRO Award for the North West Business Park past two years. Collooney Co. Sligo Although we are the smallest local station in the country, our commitment to high quality content has made us one of the Tel: 00 353 71 9118100 most decorated, with five gold awards at the most recent PPI’s Fax: 00 353 71 9118101 and the 2013 Prix Europa Award for radio drama. Email: [email protected]

Proposed Station Name.

Ocean FM

7 Introduction to the Applicant

Advisors. 2. Market Research: Interactions Ltd, Beach Court, Kilcoole, Co.Wicklow

Market Analysis: Joe Dalton, Ard Righ Place, Arbour Hill, 7

SECTION Transmission coverage: Radio Services Ltd, 9 Arbour Vale, Oola, Limerick

Transmission Support: Aisling Communications, Muff, Co. Donegal

I.T. IThink Technology, NW Business Park, Collooney, Co. Sligo

Architects: Haran and Associates, 50 Lwr John St, Sligo

HR and Health and Safety Services: Peninsula, East Point Business Park, Dublin 3

Graphic Design and Marketing: Sean Grant, 21 Orchard Grove, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Auditors: Mulhern Leonard, Mail Coach Rd, Sligo, Co. Sligo

Solicitors: McEnroe Solicitors, John St, Sligo, Co. Sligo

Bank: Bank, Pearse Plaza, Pearse Rd, Sligo, Co. Sligo

8 Introduction to the Applicant

2.

“To me, Ocean FM is both informative and entertaining, which is the essence of public service broadcasting in my opinion. Throughout the course of the day I tune into Morning Ireland, Bloomberg and Sky News but never miss Ocean’s North West Today programme. I find it has its finger on the pulse when it comes to highlighting SECTION local & regional issues of importance. It sounds professional and organised in its production and delivery. In my experience it sets a high standard in its coverage of community, social and political matters. This is sadly lacking in many of the broadcast and print media organisations of our time”

Ray MacSharry

“Ocean FM’s Margaret Carr Flynn and Kevin Blessing have worked tirelessly in relation to highlighting the issue of suicide, removing the stigma, highlighting the services available and indeed support fundraising activities which allows G.R.A.S.P Life Foundation continue to provide the much needed services in the North West. I have absolutely no doubt that their efforts have saved many lives over the past years and will continue to do so in the future.”

Mary Mc Tiernan, Director of Services, G.R.A.S.P Life Foundation

9