Student Radio May Go Off Air; Popular NP Station Has Licence Cancelled

By KEITH, Leighton

STUDENT radio in Taranaki could soon be silenced.

The Most FM, the popular New Plymouth station broadcasting from the financially troubled Witt, has had its radio frequency licence cancelled and, technically, is operating illegally.

That means the institute has also lost its right to sell the 92.3 frequency, which could be worth up to $1 million.

The Taranaki Daily News understands commercial giants the Radio Network and The Radio Works have both jumped at the chance to take over the frequency.

Yesterday a Witt spokesman said the institution was investigating the current status of the licence.

A spokeswoman for Radio Spectrum Management, which issues licences on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Development, confirmed the station’s radio frequency licence was cancelled on December 12 last year.

She said the fine for operating without a licence was $250 for an individual and $1250 for a organisation.

She said the licence was cancelled when the ministry became aware the company holding the licence had gone into liquidation.

The ministry had only recently become aware of the situation, she said.

The radio station first broadcast as The Scream FM on 97.2, in 1993, operating as a student-run station for six weeks during the Christmas and summer period.

The Most started in 1995 as a student- run station broadcasting for limited hours for a set time, but in about 1998 became a permanent feature on the airwaves with some permanent staff.

Since then The Most has gained a cult-like following among a wide cross- section of listeners for its minimal advertising and alternative music shows. Many fans will be gutted at the news.

Radio Network Taranaki general manager Richard Williams said the company would have bought the frequency from Witt.

“There was a heads of agreement signed about three years ago with Witt, where if it came on the market we would have first option,” he said.

(c) 2008 Daily News; New Plymouth, New Zealand. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.