Image source, bbc

Ms McAlpine says Bauer have a lot less local content than it used to have, citing her time as a music journalist listening to Radio Clyde.

Peter Davies points out when Radio Clyde launched in 1973 it was the only commercial radio in Glasgow, there are now several.

The Bauer representative argues the way people access music is much more open than it used to and his company offers a wide range of ways to access music.

He details some of Bauer's varied offer:

• Jazz FM
• Planet Rock
• Kiss
• Scala Radio
• Country Music Service

Ms McAlpine asks about the research used by Ofcom.

"Ofcom, in terms of the deregulation journey, have listened to the commercial operators," replies Mr Findlay.

Nearly all commercial operators backed the deregulation adds the DC Thomson representative.

We supported deregulation, he says, however he argues calls for expansion have not been listened to which is unjust.

The convener kicks off with a question around the impact on diversity of choice for listeners.

Adam Findlay from DC Thomson says the absence of competition and local commercial operators across Scotland means we are missing a rich and diverse radio landscape.

These concerns have been largely ignored he says, but he welcomes Ofcom saying they will review FM licenses.

Image source, bbc

MSPs are now quizzing:

• Graham Bryce from Bauer Media, external
• Peter Davies from Bauer Media
• Adam Findlay from DC Thomson Media, external

Read the committee papers here., external

The committee has previously taken evidence on local commercial radio on 14 March, external.

Image source, bbc

Committee convener Joan McAlpine asks: "What action will Ofcom take if listener choice is adversely affected by these changes?"

"We keep all of these sort of policy areas under review," replies Glenn Preston, adding there's scope to revisit this issue.

Ofcom has been doing a huge amount of work to ensure the radio workforce is diverse and better reflects the make-up of the UK, Tony Close says.

Tory MSP Alexander Stewart asks if changes to localness regulations will enhance that, "because I would suggest it may not".

"I don't know," Mr Close responds.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Neil Findlay asks if Ofcom were starting from scratch what would they do.

Tony Close from Ofcom: "I don't think it is my job to come up with a brand new sustainable model for the commercial sector."

"Would you do what you are doing now?" asks Mr Findlay.

"Yes probably," replies Mr Close.

Mr Stock points out that he would not impose regulatory burdens on commercial companies.

Mr Findlay asks if it would be a free for all and sink or swim.

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson asks about long-term funding models for commercial radio.

Tony Close says he does not have a solution, but the regulator's role is to ensure radio can operate at a low cost and maintain a sustainable market.

Mr Gibson wonders about increasing regulatory control of internet radio and what impact the growth of online platforms will have on commercial radio.

The debate about regulation of online radio is a hot topic, Mr Close explains, and Ofcom is informing that debate in the UK about what might and might not work.

That debate is at a nascent stage, he adds.

Neil Stock says the impact will be continued competition to terrestrial radio.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Annabelle Ewing asks if only thirteen individuals from Scotland were included in the research carried out by Ofcom.

Mr Preston explains there were two research projects carried out.

The first one was Kantar research and was qualitative, he says.

This was supplemented by Populus Omnibus research which heard from over 1,600 people in the UK, 155 of whom were in Scotland, he points out.

Green MSP Ross Greer asks about safeguards to address the concerns raised by small radio stations in the consultation.

Neil Stock insists deregulation gives smaller radio stations the same flexibility as it does the larger ones.

Mr Greer says flexibility will always be greater for larger stations.

Tony Close insists there is an opportunity for small stations to focus on local content and mark out a niche for themselves.

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan says he accepts the apology from Ofcom regarding the failure to alert the committee of its consultation.

However Mr McMillan adds: "It really is quite ridiculous that this parliament has been ignored by Ofcom."

"I think we got it wrong, Mr McMillan," replies Mr Preston.

Mr Adam calls for Ofcom to award more radio licenses, highlighting only one was given out in the last decade.

Glenn Preston says the regulator is going to look at this.

Neil Stock reiterates the opportunities of DAB as a new distribution platform.

Mr Adam says DAB is very expensive, but Mr Stock says efforts are being made to make it more available.

The latest Rajar ratings have been published today, showing an increase in listeners for news programmes and stations in the three months running up to UK's intended departure date from the European Union at the end of March.

About 364,000 extra listeners tuned in to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, taking its average weekly audience to 7.16 million.

BBC Radio 5 Live's breakfast show also went up by 214,000 listeners to 2.14 million.

Similarly, commercial news station LBC celebrated the highest reach of its 47-year history, with 2.25 million weekly listeners on average.

Read more.

Tory MSP Alexander Stewart asks if Ofcom's actions have been proportionate as "most of the industry believe you'r ripping the heart out of it".

We do think they are proportionate, replies Mr Preston, who does not agree with Mr Stewart's comments.

Image source, bbc

Mr Preston goes on to disagree with SNP MSP George Adam, who assert that "FM was king".

Mr Adam also says DAB is the Betamax of radio.

The Ofcom representative points out the new Rajar figures showed 54% of listeners were on DAB (Digital audio broadcasting).

FM stands for frequency modulation, invented in 1933 by American engineer Edwin Armstrong, wide-band FM is used worldwide to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio.

Tony Close says that while some services may consider lowering the amount of local content, many will not.

There is an opportunity for us to ensure there is a broader range of radio services out there, he adds.

Mr Close says changes have already been made to allow community radio to access commercial funding.

Neil Stock insists small-scale DAB will be a huge opportunity to increase local radio of all types, which is why we are pushing forward with the project.

He points to a funding from DCMS for community radio, with a decision on whether to extend this funding for another three years due shortly.

Global media has announced it will launch UK-wide national breakfast shows on Capital, Heart and Smooth radio.

Global say they will be creating the three largest commercial radio breakfast shows in the UK, with 4.8m, 3.7m and 2.7m listeners respectively each week.

But it means a reduction in locally produced programmes, with more than 100 jobs at risk due to the changes.

Ofcom has approved the move following a change in guidelines, external for local radio.

Image source, Getty Images

What does this mean for Scotland?

• Capital London's breakfast show will replace 14 breakfast programmes on the Capital network in England, Scotland and Wales
• Heart will have a single breakfast show across England, Scotland and Wales instead of the current line-up of 22 breakfast shows
• Smooth will create a new national breakfast show replacing breakfast programmes in East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, Lake District, North East, Scotland and Wales

Read more here.

Image source, bbc

Ms McAlpine asks if the witnesses are aware that numerous Scottish radio operators have expressed serious concerns about deregulation by Ofcom.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene says he cannot see why the deregulation had to happen and he asks for a better explanation.

These are commercial businesses which have to operate in a competitive environment, replies Tony Close, who argues for the last ten years they faced too many regulations in terms of localness.

"The idea that the burden should fall solely or primarily on commercial radio, it just seemed wrong," he adds.

Image source, Orignal 106

Publishing group DC Thomson - owner of the Press and Journal and Courier newspapers - has bought two Scottish radio stations.

Aberdeen-based Original 106 and Kingdom FM in Fife were acquired in the deal.

DC Thomson now owns three radio stations, following the purchase of Wave 102 in Dundee in 2017.

It is understood the Original studios will move in to the new Aberdeen Journals offices at the Marischal Square development.

Read more here.

The convener suggests the was a rush to push the new localness regulations through.

Tony Close from OfCom says he does not think it was a rush, adding commercial radio is doing well and the regulator wants to see this continue.

Glenn Preston says organisations are investing in local quality radio and he points to new entrants into the market in west Scotland.

Community radio is also very popular, with 28 currently broadcasting and three further requests for licenses he adds.