Short list announced for five new radio stations for the Dublin area.
The applicants for five new radio licences in Dublin were announced today by the Independent Radio and Television Commission (IRTC).
There were 21 proposals received in categories ranging from speech based and Irish language broadcasting to music stations for both under and over 35 years olds.
Phantom FM had been broadcasting from a garden shed in Sandyford for three years. Simon Mahern says that the station has now moved back to a studio in Dublin city centre, has started an internet broadcasting service and applied for a radio licence under the new name of Spirit FM.
Under the new name of Spirit FM, the team behind Phantom is now on course to secure one of five new radio licences for the Dublin area.
Spirit FM has been shortlisted by the Independent Radio and Television Commission (IRTC) for a licence in the special interests category. Michael O'Keefe of the IRTC says,
Spirit is focused very much on alternative, non-mainstream music.
Former pirate radio station Pulse FM has also been shortlisted in the youth oriented category.
Now on the road to legitimacy, both stations have high ambitions.
Simon Maher says that Spirit FM will sound like Phantom FM only better. The licence will provide the station with resources to allow it to grow. Darragh O'Sullivan of Pulse FM says the station hopes to become a media ambassador for young people.
All the shortlisted applicants will present their proposals in public on 27 and 28 September and a final decision will be delivered by the IRTC by 11 October.
An RTÉ News reports on 7 September 1999. The reporter is Annabell Egan.
