PM hints at solution to Concert FM saga
Unused FM radio frequency being considered for new youth station
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appears to be planning to dust off an old, unused FM radio frequency for a new youth-focused radio station. The move could mean Concert FM would not need to move to an AM frequency, which has a lesser sound quality, and could keep its current channel.
Ardern said she had been “very clear” in her determination New Zealand “would not lose RNZ Concert, on FM”.
She said Cabinet had decided to look at what would be involved in ensuring this continues to be the case.
“From here,” she said, “our expectation is that a Cabinet paper will be prepared which lays out what would be involved in freeing up the 102 FM frequency.”
She said that frequency had been shelved for the past 20 years since initially being earmarked for youthtargeted programming back in 1999. It has never been used. Earlier yesterday she told Newstalk ZB that describing herself as “a little bit miffed by the situation would be an understatement. We’re pretty frustrated by this situation”.
Last week former Prime Minister Helen Clark publicly challenged the Government over RNZ’s plans to scrap Concert FM for a more youthoriented service — “this equates to a dumbing down of cultural life in New Zealand”.
RNZ’s top brass want to expand its reach to a more diverse audience.
An RNZ spokesman said it was clear the broadcaster was not yet relevant to people in all life stages and it failed to connect with some groups, particularly younger people.
“Music provides an ideal way of reaching those audiences that do not currently engage with RNZ and the new station will be unlike anything currently available from commercial networks.”
But Ardern was not convinced. She said she has been advised that contractually, RNZ is obliged to provide the Concert FM service.
RNZ has New Zealand On Air Funding obligations to continue programming until June, she said.
“We intend to use the time available to work constructively to find a solution.”