Narrowcast radio station covering racing to operate soon

2/6/94

Services Minister Graham Kierath said today he expected that a comprehensive exclusive narrowcast radio service providing racing coverage for Western Australia should start broadcasting within about a month.

Mr Kierath said the change was made possible through the State Government being the only bidder for the high power narrowcast licence which was to have been auctioned on June 14.

"As the only bidder, the licence automatically went to the State Government, which made the offer on behalf of the TAB-owned radio station 6PR," Mr Kierath said.

"This ends two years of frustration - much of it generated by the bureaucracy - and means the State Government can now get on with the job of getting out of the media industry.

"The eventual sale of 6PR, which will use its current frequency for an expanded news and talkback format, will be predicated on getting the best possible return for the taxpayer.

"We are already off to a good start because as the only bidder for the licence, it has cost under $15,000 for two-and-a-half years.

"This is a rock-bottom price as there is talk that one of the narrowcast licences in another city could top the $1 million mark."

Media contact:  Brian Coulter 222 9595 / 481 2133