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BBC Radio IoM would cost £1.5million

BBC's Head of Digital gives evidence at PSB committee

If the BBC were to create a local radio station on the Isle of Man and become the Island's public service broadcaster, it would cost a minimum of around one and a half million pounds per year to run.

That's the estimate of the BBC's Head of Digital for English Regions, using figures from stations serving comparable audiences elsewhere.

It's thought BBC local radio in Jersey and Guernsey costs between 1.3million and £1.7million each, annually - those figures were discussed at the latest hearing of the committee investigating public service broadcasting on the Island yesterday (Thurs 31).

Dr Alex Allinson MHK, who chairs the committee, says there’s a perception on the Island that license fee payers are “paying twice”, in paying for the BBC licence fee, and also Manx Radio’s subvention.

Ms Laura Ellis thinks a Manx service would cost a similar amount to the British Crown Dependencies in the Channel Islands:

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