The Christian Broadcasting Council of the United Kingdom (CBC) wishes to give our views regarding Ofcom’s invitation to comment on the question below: 

Q1. Should Eagle Radio Limited be permitted to make its proposed changes to the Format of Eagle Extra, with particular regard to the statutory criteria set out in Section 2 of this consultation document? (Section 106 (1A) of the 1990 Broadcasting Act, as amended, relating to Format changes). 

It is the view of the Christian Broadcasting Council (CBC) that the area covered by the transmission of the 1566 AM frequency already has within it a range of local and community stations broadcasting on analogue frequencies, already providing a range of music and speech services that cover many of the existing programme types that can be heard on the existing EAGLE EXTRA service. 

In addition it is mentioned in the Ofcom paper that: 

• “AM stations generally need not produce locally-made programmes nor broadcast local material.” 
• This area of the country can receive some AM and FM stations from neighbouring areas that also provide listeners in Surrey and North East Hampshire with a wider choice of programmes. 

Therefore CBC believes that the proposed change of the programmes from the Peasmarch transmitter site would enable those people, who still only have access on an analogue radio, to have their listening choice enhanced by the provision of A FULL SERVICE OF SPEECH AND MUSIC WHICH REFLECTS AND PROCLAIMS THE WORSHIP, THOUGHT AND ACTION OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH in the shape of PREMIER CHRISTIAN RADIO. 

We hope that our comments are of help to Ofcom in their decision. 

Yours truly, 

J Peter Wilson
Consultant to CBC on Broadcasting Regulation

Mrs Olave Snelling 
Chairman of the CBC Executive Council