Chair's Welcome Post

Posted on 22nd July 2011

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 in an exciting year for radio indies, as we negotiate with the BBC how they implement the Trust's recommendations last year to (a) add a 'Window of Creative Competition' or WoCC* to our existing 'quota'* and (b) improve the way they work with us.

 

At the same time efforts over the last 2 years to raise our profile at government level are paying off and we are well placed to make a significant input into the Coalition Government's major Communications Bill, for which consultation has just opened, and into the next BBC Charter Review in the longer run.

 

It's not just the BBC of course. About 31% of our members' work is for non-BBC clients including commercial radio, podcasting, event audio, etc and much of this for international customers.

 

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 if you're wondering whether to join, hesitate no more -- you need us as much as we need you!

 

Mike Hally

 

* The BBC has operated a voluntary target of commissioning at least 10% of 'eligible output' (excluding news and some other types of programme) for almost two decades and in recent years we have won about 13.5%. The new 'WoCC' will mean that at least another 10% of output, over and above the minimum, will be open to competition between indies and in-house departments