Sale of "Monte Carlo" concession to "Energy" meets with criticism
The planned sale of Radio Monte Carlo’s radio license in the city of Zurich to Radio Energy has drawn criticism not only from the cantonal government. The Zurich City Council, as well as Radio 1, Radio Zürisee, and Radio LoRa, also oppose the deal.
According to SDA, the comments in the hearing procedure of the Federal Office of Communications Bakom demand a new invitation to tender for the FM license for the Zurich region. If the license transfer is approved, it must at least be ensured that Radio Energy broadcasts a program of the same quality as the RMC concept.
After Ringier's Radio Energy station came away empty-handed in the awarding of FM licenses for the larger Zurich-Glarus region and all appeals against the licensing decision were rejected, Ringier bought the smaller Zurich license for Energy awarded to RMC from Giuseppe Scaglione's Music Frist Network.
Roger Schawinski's Radio 1 criticizes above all Bakom and the former award of the license to RMC. With the sale of the Energy concession, the criterion of media diversity is also affected, writes Schawinski. According to Radio Zürisee, the trade in the concession creates a distortion of competition. If Bakom now nevertheless agrees to the transfer, it must ensure that Energy is not allowed to continue broadcasting on the current frequency. According to Radio LoRa, the license would have to expire if it is not used by the applicant. The association for critical media use Arbus Switzerland also holds this opinion.
The SRG, on the other hand, has no objections to the license transmission. However, it expects Ringier's publishing house to broadcast a program on DAB even if it receives an FM license.
After Ringier's Radio Energy station came away empty-handed in the awarding of FM licenses for the larger Zurich-Glarus region and all appeals against the licensing decision were rejected, Ringier bought the smaller Zurich license for Energy awarded to RMC from Giuseppe Scaglione's Music Frist Network.
Roger Schawinski's Radio 1 criticizes above all Bakom and the former award of the license to RMC. With the sale of the Energy concession, the criterion of media diversity is also affected, writes Schawinski. According to Radio Zürisee, the trade in the concession creates a distortion of competition. If Bakom now nevertheless agrees to the transfer, it must ensure that Energy is not allowed to continue broadcasting on the current frequency. According to Radio LoRa, the license would have to expire if it is not used by the applicant. The association for critical media use Arbus Switzerland also holds this opinion.
The SRG, on the other hand, has no objections to the license transmission. However, it expects Ringier's publishing house to broadcast a program on DAB even if it receives an FM license.
