Mediaworks has the ability to purchase and commission commercial
frequencies and I hope they will do so in areas that George is
currently broadcasting on low power.
Yet another shortcoming in the GURL, stations who operate on
commercial frequencies should not also be allowed to utilise low power
frequencies.
The fundamental idea of LPFM is to allow those who can not afford a
commercial/high power licence to get on the air.
Commercial stations such as George that utilise low power frequencies
are effectively "double-dipping" and making it difficult (in some
cases impossible) for LPFM operators to broadcast.


--- In LPFM_Radio@..., Kris Bainbridge <kris@...> wrote:
>
> Wonder if this will mean any changes to the LPFM broadcasts of George
> around the country.
>
>
> MEDIA RELEASE
>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
> Monday, 16 February 2009
>
> MEDIAWORKS ACQUIRES GEORGE FM
>
> MediaWorks Radio has acquired the Auckland based radio station George
> FM, and also leased the Auckland frequency 96.8FM which the station
> broadcasts on. The agreement is between MediaWorks Radio and the urban
> Maori authorities; the Manukau Urban Maori Authority (MUMA) and the
> Waipareira Trust.
>
> Announcing the arrangement, MUMA Chief Executive Officer Willie Jackson
> said: "There is a strong, ongoing relationship between the urban Maori
> authorities and MediaWorks. John Tamihere, CEO for Waipareira, and
> myself have worked for MediaWorks as talkback hosts for three years now
> they are aware of the many commitments that John and I have outside of
> RadioLIVE and they have been tremendously supportive of our work. We
> will all be working together to ensure Maori language and cultural
> objectives on George FM continue to be met," Mr Jackson said.
>
> MediaWorks Chief Executive Brent Impey said his organisation is also
> keen to maintain the cultural and language commitments of the George FM
> brand.
>
> "George FM is an urban, dance format station with a proud cultural
> heritage. It complements many of our key radio brands, including Mai
FM,
> The Edge, The Rock and More FM," said Mr Impey.
>
> "We are keen to retain the station's successful format and fully
support
> commitments the station has to fostering the Maori language and
> culture," he said.
>
> The transaction also includes transmission equipment for a number of
low
> powered FM frequencies throughout the country.
>
> George FM Manager Jef Kay has agreed to stay on for a three month
> transition period, during which time MediaWorks executive Emily
Turnbull
> will assume management responsibilities at the station. Emily Turnbull
> has recently returned from London where she worked in radio and
> agencies. Prior to that Emily project managed the nationwide rollout of
> the More FM brand and the launch of RadioLIVE. There are no other
> changes to staffing as a result of the change in ownership.
>
> The purchase is for an undisclosed amount, and is effective 28 February
> 2009.
>
> --- ends ---
>
> MediaWorks NZ Limited is a subsidiary of HT Media Holdings Limited.
>
> MediaWorks (website: mediaworks.co.nz) is New Zealand's leading private
> sector broadcast and online media company.
>
> Through its specialist divisions – MediaWorks TV, MediaWorks Radio and
> MediaWorks Interactive, it owns and operates the TV3 and C4 television
> networks, national radio brands The Edge, The Rock, More FM, Kiwi FM,
> RadioLIVE, BSport, Solid Gold, The Breeze and Mai FM plus several local
> radio stations, and a family of websites.
>
> For further information:
>
> Sussan Turner, Chief Operating Officer, MediaWorks Radio. Phone 021
376 242
>
> Released by Roger Beaumont, Director of Marketing & Communications,
> MediaWorks. Phone 021 822 296
>
> Kris Bainbridge
> Programme Director, Twisted Radio
> 107.7 Auckland, 107.5 Hamilton
> m 021 122 1843 w twisted.co.nz
>