Â鶹Éç

The Â鶹Éç Trust has today announced that it is planning to carry out two service reviews of Â鶹Éç radio in 2010. The first will look at Radio 3, Radio 4 and Radio 7; the second will assess Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, Radio Ulster/Foyle, Radio Scotland, Radio nan Gaidheal and English local radio.

The reviews are part of the Trust's routine rolling programme of service reviews. They are amongst the last radio stations in the Â鶹Éç's portfolio to be reviewed in the current review cycle.

The reviews will look at the services' performance including the stations' usage, quality, distinctiveness and value for money, and the Â鶹Éç's future plans for the services. Each review will incorporate a 12 week period of consultation when the public will be able to give their views on the two services. The review of Radio 3, Radio 4 and Radio 7 will begin in the spring and will be published next winter, while the timetable for the review of nations and local radio is currently being considered.

David Liddiment, Â鶹Éç Trustee and Chair of the Trust's Audience & Performance Committee, said:

"Radios 3, 4 and 7 all offer output which is hard to find elsewhere – and licence fee payers tell us that the Â鶹Éç's radio stations serving the nations and local regions make an invaluable contribution to their communities.

"As well as the current performance of these services we'll also be looking at the Â鶹Éç's future plans for the stations to ensure they are robust and deliverable. If change is needed the Trust can alter the stations' service licences or ask the Â鶹Éç Executive to address the issues we raise."

ENDS