Geldof squares up to U2 manager in radio battle
Music moguls Sir Bob Geldof and U2 manager Paul McGuinness were today locked in a heavyweight battle to plug the gap in Dublin’s radio stations with alternative rock.
Sir Bob claimed his new station Zed FM would inspire music lovers who had been left bored with the lack of quality and choice on the capital’s airwaves.
But Mr McGuinness said Phantom FM had stolen a march on their rivals and already tapped into the youth market with their alternative brand.
The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland heard final applications from Zed FM and Phantom FM as they bid to take control of a lucrative licence for a rock radio station in the city.
Sir Bob said Zed would draw on his experiences of broadcasting and media production in the UK to secure the much sought after deal.
“When I was DJing on Xfm in London I just couldn’t stand listening to the same old stuff,” Sir Bob said.
“And it would be clearly understood that people are a little fed up. I just wanted to be excited again and with that you get a deep sense of satisfaction.
“I came into this thing at will,” he said. “I chose this simply because across the board they knew what’s going on in this bid.”
However with a 10% shareholding in the proposed station Geldof said his over-riding objective was profit.
Zed FM directors, including Niall Stokes editor of Hot Press, and Dermot Hanrahan former FM104 boss, plan to invest 2.3 million euro in the station in the fist year.
But Geldof and colleagues, who promised 30% airtime to home-grown talent, face stiff competition from Phantom FM backed by U2 manager Paul McGuinness.
Former pirate station Phantom has made its third bid for a licence. It is trying to build on experience gained during seven years broadcasting to the capital’s musically-disenfranchised youth.
Phantom have also budgeted to invest around 2 million euro in the first year.
Mr McGuinness said Dublin already had an audience that was ready and waiting for a station devoted to alternative rock music.
“This is an application from a group of people who care about rock music,” Mr McGuinness said.
“Already we have demonstrated that there’s an audience for an alternative rock music station in Dublin, and what’s important is that this audience already trusts Phantom.”
Phantom said they are aiming for male orientated market of 15-34-year-olds, while Zed have left the door open to anyone and everyone.
They claim their brand will appeal across the board to those who feel left out in the cold by the obsession with commercially focused chart pop.
A decision on which side wins the battle for the valuable licence will be taken on November 8.
