(05-09-2018, 01:17 PM)taxman Wrote: Now in the real world, Radio TT should pay for the broadcasting rights and hope that it recovers its outlay through advertising. Sadly that isn't possible. The TT has several signature sponsors and Radio TT can't use an advertiser which conflicts with a signature sponsor (Monster Energy and Red Bull for example). This means that whoever operates Radio TT has to do so with one hand tied behind its back in terms of advertising revenue and its presenters also have to promote the signature sponsors wherever possible. Ever heard "welcome to the TT fuelled by Monster Energy"?.

This means that its not possible to raise advertising revenue in the conventional way and results in the IOM Government having to pay a broadcaster to cover it. As Manx Radio is wholly owned by the Government in any case, all we're talking about is an internal funds transfer. Its farcical really.

An interesting discussion, one I find myself very much in 2 minds about.

Since 1976 I have been a big fan of what is now the TT/Classic TT/MGP - I too like Radio TT but believe the content/presentation could do with some improvement.
For me, improving would be a better solution than get rid of - Evolution rather than Revolution. But, I'm not sure there is any enthusiasm for change.

Which brings me to my second train of thought. The useful information provided by 'Taxman' (quoted above) makes the 'business' side of my brain think that the current situation, whereby Radio TT receives the money to keep going regardless of output is (or should be!) unsustainable. There can be little incentive to change if the IOM taxpayer keeps footing the bill. (Glad I'm not an IOM taxpayer)

Taxman's point about limited advertising revenue due to conflict is very valid, but I wonder if Radio TT had to be run as a more commercial endeavour, there would be a lot more effort put into finding advertising revenue. Current advertising seems limited to 'local' enterprises and not targeted at the 24 million? (not sure of the exact number) of TT fans around the World. (Hmmm better adverts, just had a rose tinted specs moment of Kenny Everett's character 'Sid Snot' doing the Honda adverts!)

So in summary, yes Radio TT needs a bit of a shake up & the IOM government (elected by the people of the IOM) think that a tender process is a way to achieve it. I'm not sure that it is the best way, but Bushy's admitted to upping their game as a result of a tender process, so who knows?

Time will tell, but if I were footing the bill, there would be a major shake up on the commercial side, with some minor improvements to content and commentary!