FM—first come not first served

Press, 14 August 1976, Page 1

FM—first come not first served

The granting of FM broadcasting warrants could hardly be on a firstcome, first-served basis, said the managing director of the new Christchurch company formed to start an FM station (Mr R. D. McKay) yesterday. “I am surprised at the implication by Radio Avon that the company which has its application completed first will be in a favoured position when it comes to the allocation of FM warrants,” he said yesterday. “Our information from the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Templeton) is that no company will have the opportunity of having its case heard for at least a year, by which time the Canterbury Broadcasting Company’s submissions will most certainly be complete.” He said that, if FM war-

rants were to be considered on a first-come, firstserved basis, Radio New Zealand in Auckland would have cause for despair in that Radio Hauraki started its investigations into FM in 1969, and filed a warrant application over a year ago. If FM was to be widely accepted, then it must be to the advantage of all, that the non-commercial operations of Radio New Zealand be transmitted on FM. “We look on Radio New Zealand as an ally, not a competitor in stimulating development of FM,” Mr McKay said. “Our case will rest on proving our worthiness and ability to provide an FM service in Christchurch, and we feel sure these will be the determining factors,” Mr McKay said.