New radio stations in the pipeline

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) plans to licence a range of new radio stations.

The broadcasting commission has said it expects that everyone in the country should be able to tune in to at least one extra service within the next three years.

The broadcasting regulator has said there are enough frequencies available to increase the number of radio stations here and at least one - a quasi-national station - could reach almost all listeners.

The commission wants the existing licence-holders and possible newcomers to come to them with ideas for new stations that would give listeners greater choice.

It feels new stations could cover parts of counties, several counties or a number of diverse towns or cities without being in direct competition to existing stations.

The commission will advertise for expressions of interest in April and expects to have a plan in place in October on the roll-out of new stations in the next three years.