Basel Government Expresses Doubts About Funding for the RBB Broadcasting Project
In their comments on the reallocation of radio and TV licenses, the governments of both Basel cantons have expressed a favorable view of the existing local stations Basilisk and Basel 1. However, they have expressed doubts about the financial viability of the new RBB (Radio that offers more of Basel) project by media entrepreneur Christian Heeb.
In their comments on the reallocation of radio and TV licenses, the governments of both Basel cantons have expressed a favorable view of the existing local stations Basilisk and Basel 1. However, they have expressed doubts about the financial viability of the new RBB (Radio that offers more of Basel) project by media entrepreneur Christian Heeb. In both Basel and Liestal, the licenses for the future license-fee-eligible local television station Telebasel and for the non-commercial Radio X are undisputed. In both of these cases, the Federal Office of Communications (Bakom) received only one application each for the respective licenses to be awarded. In contrast, for the commercial local radio stations—which remain non-license-fee-eligible—three applications are competing for two licenses.
In line with the federal government’s tender criteria, the Basel-Stadt government has come out in favor of the existing stations Basilisk and Basel 1, «taking all arguments into account.» The two stations are «extremely successful» and «financially stable.» Furthermore, thanks to the publisher-independent Radio X and Telebasel, «diversity of opinion is not at risk.».
The added value promised by the RBB project, led by former Basilisk co-founder Christian Heeb, is, however, «still rather vague.» It is also questionable whether the new station’s funding base will be sufficient. Here’s what is known so far: If RBB is awarded the license, Publigroupe intends to take a 25 percent stake. RBB also has the support of Ringier executive Fibo Deutsch, Tele-Top CEO Günther Heuberger, and former Basellandschaftliche Zeitung editor-in-chief Franz C. Widmer.
Baselland Values the Studio in Liestal The Baselland government is reluctant to take a firm stance on radio preferences: it would prefer to leave the choice up to radio listeners and regrets the selection made by the «state regulator»—without, however, addressing the shortage of broadcast frequencies. Although Basel 1 and Basilisk are similar, both are successful. The old local radio stations therefore «apparently meet market needs.» Basel 1 receives explicit support because it has its main studio in Liestal.
The fact that the RBB project intends to place significantly more emphasis on reporting is «generally to be welcomed» in the interest of providing diverse and comprehensive information. However, the Baselland government also questions whether the funding for this is realistic and is asking the federal government to review the matter. The federal government is expected to begin awarding the first new licenses in early summer 2008.
In line with the federal government’s tender criteria, the Basel-Stadt government has come out in favor of the existing stations Basilisk and Basel 1, «taking all arguments into account.» The two stations are «extremely successful» and «financially stable.» Furthermore, thanks to the publisher-independent Radio X and Telebasel, «diversity of opinion is not at risk.».
The added value promised by the RBB project, led by former Basilisk co-founder Christian Heeb, is, however, «still rather vague.» It is also questionable whether the new station’s funding base will be sufficient. Here’s what is known so far: If RBB is awarded the license, Publigroupe intends to take a 25 percent stake. RBB also has the support of Ringier executive Fibo Deutsch, Tele-Top CEO Günther Heuberger, and former Basellandschaftliche Zeitung editor-in-chief Franz C. Widmer.
Baselland Values the Studio in Liestal The Baselland government is reluctant to take a firm stance on radio preferences: it would prefer to leave the choice up to radio listeners and regrets the selection made by the «state regulator»—without, however, addressing the shortage of broadcast frequencies. Although Basel 1 and Basilisk are similar, both are successful. The old local radio stations therefore «apparently meet market needs.» Basel 1 receives explicit support because it has its main studio in Liestal.
The fact that the RBB project intends to place significantly more emphasis on reporting is «generally to be welcomed» in the interest of providing diverse and comprehensive information. However, the Baselland government also questions whether the funding for this is realistic and is asking the federal government to review the matter. The federal government is expected to begin awarding the first new licenses in early summer 2008.
