Two bidders left in race for rock radio station

THE Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has confirmed that it has short-listed just two bidders for the licence to run a rock music station in Dublin.

Having reviewed five submissions on Monday, the BCI said it would hear oral submissions from the backers of Phantom FM and Zed FM next month. It rejected the three other bidders, whose backers included Denis O'Brien, UTV and Abrakebabra boss Graeme Beer.

Phantom FM, which is seen as favourite for the hotly contested licence, includes an array of figures from the music and entertainment industry among its backers.