MEDIA

Rip It Up, Issue 58, 1 May 1982, Page 22

MEDIA

. To FM or not to FM, how FM, and who will FM. These are the questions the Broadcasting Tribunal is trying to decide on. There are now four main contenders > vying for the two Auckland licenses: Radio New Zealand (ZM), Metropolitan FM (lan Magan, Concert Promotions, and Robin McKay ex Windy/ 4MMM .FM ’Brisbane etc ), FM Radio Enterprises (51% shares held by Stebbings) and Stereo FM (Tony 'Amos,-;Allan Rutledge, Raymond Curie, Wilson & Horton etc ). ;

Hauraki Enterprises withdrew its FM application when it became apparent competitor ZM may continue noncommercially, possibly in addition to a new FM competitor, disintegrating Auckland's audience and revenue for radio.

However, RNZ is still trying for a commercial FM warrant for the ZM stations, targeting for a 15-35 year old age group with a 20-30 core. If ZM were given a licence they'd broadcast exactly the same programmed on AM as FM for several months '.'to familiarize the existing ZM audience with' FM," says Auckland station manager Graham Bolton. Hopes for a broader ZM outlook were dashed when Bolton told the tribunal that although albums such as D.D. Smash's Cool Bananas get to No. 1. research shows people don't want such music on the radio. ■ Metropolitan FM is targeting for

the 25-44 year olds, with a "balance of old and new music" - Richard' Clayderman,- and Art Garfunkel balanced by Fleetwood Mac and Sharon O'Neill. Metropolitan FM will support local music only if it fits their format. .; FM Enterprises are looking at the same' age group as Metropolitan, feeding a diet of MOR, easy.listening, popular classical, modern and country and western. Stereo FM is the only applicant going for a "contemporary rock / "album orientated" sound. The company has also formed a trust to help NZ musicians in promotion and legal matters. Stereo FM will target for the 18-39 year old market, focusing on 18-30.

Its anybody's guess when a decision will be made, or how many appeals will hold up the process, but it looks like the only possibility for relief (if there is any offering here) from the current safe-as-milk/high rotate radio programming is Stereo FM. Ann Louise Martin