MUMBAI: Media regulator Ofcom is reported to have scrapped plans for a special London Olympics radio station to broadcast in the city during the 2012 Games. Lack of interest was cited as the reason for ending plans for the station which was slated to air solely on digital audio broadcasting.
Ofcom has said its appeal for â€?preliminary expressions of interest’ had received just 10 applications, a basically small number of which several did not meet its exclusively-digital stipulation. This stipulation was because of the lack of spectrum, which prevented Ofcom from making the short-term station available to a potentially larger audience through FM or AM.
“Ofcom has carefully considered this issue, in consultation with government and taking into account the expressions of interest which were submitted,” Ofcom told the media. “The limited number of responses means we have not been able to gauge fully how attractive a proposition this is likely to be to commercial operators, and by extension the benefits to consumers and citizens that may be realised.
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“The lack of compelling evidence of demand, coupled with the not insignificant process involved (including the drafting of primary legislation) in licensing any such services, has led Ofcom to decide not to proceed with the possible licensing of digital radio services for the period during and around the London 2012 Games.”
