[VMPhil]

That sort of regulatory thing seems so archaic nowadays. Selling off Virgin on FM when they've now got 5 FM London licenses and Classic FM

I suppose, but I think it only seems that way because we now have so much choice.

Back then the commercial choice for the listener was usually restricted to the ILR local stations, the regional stations that launched in the 90s, and the three national licences - only one of which was on FM.

In that context, stricter regulation of competition and fair choice for the listener makes more sense.

Now we have the capacity for dozens of DAB national, regional, local and hyperlocal/small-scale stations, plus internet radio and podcasts, so the likes of Global don’t need to be kept on as tight a leash.

And local radio can still work as long as the product is good and appealing. Here in Liverpool we have the great In Demand Radio which is the spiritual successor to Juice FM and the past era of Radio City.