Radio Manukau gets licence to broadcast

Press, 1 May 1978, Page 7

Radio Manukau gets licence to broadcast

PA Wellington The Broadcasting Tribunal has approved a sound radio warrant for Gordon Dryden's proposed Radio Manukau station. In a 14-day hearing late last year Radio New Zealand. Radio i, and Raodi Hauraki had opposed the proposal. Welcoming the decision, Mr Dryden said last evening that the conditions laid down by the tribunal had been basically the terms he had sought. If there was no appeal to the tribunal decision he saidf Radio Manukau would be on air in 4J months.

In its report yesterday, the tribunal said, “We came to the conclusion that the type of programmes proposed and the formats put forward would provide a station programme content that would be largely complementary to existing services, and one which would be of benefit to the listeners of Auckland, should it prove a viable commercial proposition.”

I The report said the prc'posal was for “a radio station with a programme for'mat unique to New Zealand, icollecting elements that an I not to be found in any

single radio station overseas.” Of Mr Dryden, the report said he had proved his ability in a number of fields of i broadcasting and had a great deal of managerial and financial expertise. His controversial image was seen by the tribunal as assisting in the promotion and furtherance of the station’s activities in the early ■years. Radio Manukau proposes to broadcast continually, with an accent on news, I information, and current ■ affairs. A “university of the ■air" would be featured for 9(1 minutes each evening, followed by a two and a half hour Polynesian programme from Monday to Thursday. Bi-lingual announcers would cover news, information, advice, and adult educational programmes. Normal periods of advertising permitted to commercial radio stations were approved, but the tribunal turned down an application for advertising on Sundays. The tribunal said the war- • rant would lapse if the company was not ready to broadcast within 18 months. A community trust must told not less than 10 per cent of the shareholding.