River FM director Gerard Doherty tells council station will fill gap in youth radio market with DAB licence

Gerard Doherty operates River Radio that’s been broadcasting as River FM on 104.2 frequency.

This week he told the Derry City & Strabane District Council Business & Culture Committee he hopes to receive a positive outcome from Ofcom on its Digital Audio Broadcasting application this month.

“We are looking to involve youth in the radio media industry. We have identified massive gaps and disproportionate favouritism towards Belfast in relation to Derry in regards to radio services.

“What we have found is the young generation and the young people coming through media from the likes of the North West Regional College and the universities have no radio opportunities here in our own city,” he said.

Mr. Doherty said a previous application for a frequency modulation (FM) licence was rejected because Ofcom said this method of broadcasting will be obsolete soon.

“We’ve embraced that and have our application in with Ofcom for a DAB licence. We should get our outcome this month on it. Our council area is the first in the whole UK to be part of a small DAB roll-out and it’s really good because, I think, the guys from Drive 105 have also applied for it. I think the guys from Drive 105 also applied to be the guys who actually control the transmitter as well so it’s really positive for the city.

“What we are looking to do is focus on the youth. We don’t believe the youth have been getting a fair crack of the whip and the city has been absolutely neglected when it comes to radio services.

“There are 16 radio services in Belfast compared with one in Derry, Drive 105. The rest are all satellites. So being the second biggest city in Northern Ireland we believe there is an opportunity there. But it’s just about getting Ofcom and other bodies to support it.”

Mr. Doherty said the company has been in regular contact with NWRC with a view to providing opportunities for its pool of talented media students.

Sinn Féin Councillor Sandra Duffy said:“The plans around linking up with the NWRC and the media students, I think, it’s all really ambitious for the city and I love that about it.”

Rachael Ferguson of Alliance concurred: “You have identified a gap that needs to be filled and you are doing a fantastic job. I really am pleased about the DAB [application].”

Aontú’s Emmet Doyle said: “The link up with the ‘tech’ is really important. One of the things I find, particularly when you are talking to media students, is that they don’t necessarily find the options for placement in Derry to be really wide-ranging.”

Independent Gary Donnelly added: “I think another radio station is what’s needed. Competition is healthy and if we can develop a state-of-the-art media outlet it would be a valuable platform for our young people to express themselves and showcase local talent.”

DUP Alderman Graham Warke said: “It’s about young people getting a voice out there.”