SCHEDULE 14Media ownership rules
Part 2Radio multiplex services
Restriction on holding of national radio multiplex licences
7
A person is not to hold more than one national radio multiplex licence at the same time.
Restriction on holding of local radio multiplex licences
8
(1)
A person is not to hold any two local radio multiplex licences at the same time where the F1protected area of one of the licensed services overlaps with the F1protected area of the other in a way that means that the potential audience for one of them is or includes at least half the potential audience of the other.
F2(2)
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(3)
Where a person is in contravention of this paragraph in respect of the holding by him of local radio multiplex licences, that contravention is to be disregarded in relation to any time if—
(a)
he held those licences immediately before the commencement of this paragraph;
(b)
his holding of those licences immediately before the commencement of this paragraph was not in contravention of paragraph 11(4) of Part 3 of Schedule 2 to the 1990 Act; and
(c)
there has not been a relevant change of circumstances between the commencement of this paragraph and that time.
(4)
There is a relevant change of circumstances in the case of the person in contravention if another person becomes the holder of the two pre-commencement licences in relation to which the contravention arises.
(5)
In sub-paragraph (4) “pre-commencement licence”, in relation to a person and a time, means a local radio multiplex licence held by him immediately before the commencement of this paragraph and still held by him at that time.
F3(6)
In this paragraph, in relation to a local radio multiplex service—
“potential audience” means the persons who have attained the age of 15 years and reside within the protected area for that multiplex service; and
“the protected area” means—
(a)
subject to paragraph (b), the area or locality specified in a notice published under section 50(1) of the 1996 Act as that in which that multiplex service is to be available; or
(b)
if different from that area or locality, the area or locality specified in the relevant licence as that in which that multiplex service is to be available.
(7)
In sub-paragraph (6), “the relevant licence” means the local radio multiplex licence under which the multiplex service concerned is authorised to be provided.
Connected persons rules etc.
9
For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule, where there is a licence to provide a radio multiplex service, each of the following shall be treated as holding that licence—
(a)
the actual licence holder; and
(b)
every person connected with the actual licence holder.
Power to amend Part 2 of Schedule
10
The Secretary of State may by order repeal or otherwise modify any of the restrictions imposed by this Part of this Schedule.