Chair's Welcome Post

Posted on 20th November 2009

Welcome to the website for the Radio Independents Group and a particularly warm welcome if you're a new member to RIG -- you are joining us at an exciting time for radio indies, as we raise our profile at government level and form new partnerships across the sector, with the very real prospect of increasing the amount of work open to us in the near future. 

 

At the time of writing one particular date looms large.  Monday 30th November is the closing date for the first Production Awards, recognising the creative skills of individual programme-makers, something we have been working towards for several years and is now being realised thanks to our new partnership with the Radio Academy.  The same day sees our first full  conference, organised jointly with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport at their headquarters just off Trafalgar Square.  It will be all about 'Monetising Audio - the Way Forward', it's attracted an impressive list of speakers and it will be a vital day for any indie wondering about how to exploit the rights in their programmes.

 

That conference is just the most visible step in our growing Public Affairs effort, which has seen us building strong links with government, regulators, the political parties and other professional bodies in broadcasting.  In particular we are preparing a comprehensive submission to the BBC Trust's forthcoming review of independent suppliers of radio, which promises to be one of the best opportunities in years to prise open more of BBC Radio's output to real competition.

 

Behind the scenes we continue to provide informal advice to members, pass round requests for assistance and work opportunities, mediate between suppliers and clients, liaise with talent groups, contribute to training developments and much much more.  So if you're reading this as a member, thanks for your continued support, and you're wondering whether to join, hesitate no more -- you need us as much as we need you!