The people of Donegal may get front row seats to see two groups battle it out for Donegal’s radio license.
Highland Radio and a new consortium will battle it out for the license.
Both Highland Radio and another consortium led by former station boss Charlie Collins have until September 23rd to put in their applications.
After that, the Broadcasting Association of Ireland has to go through a series of stages before picking a new licensee.
The BAI could simply decide who to appoint the license to straight away after the deadline.
However, it is thought the group may ask a series of supplementary questions to both groups about their applications.
It is then the body are most likely to ask both groups to make an oral presentation as to who is best-suited to win the license.
And that will most likely be heard before an open public meeting in Donegal.
Any such meeting would be expected to draw a huge audience.
However, the audience reaction would have absolutely no say in who will get the license.
Whoever wins the license will not be in place until October 1st next year as set down by the BAI.
It is thought a decision will be made on the future of the broadcasting license before Christmas.
A well-placed source said “It’s going to be an intriguing battle between both groups.
“Highland obviously have a strong case as they are the sitting tenant but the new consortium, with Charlie Collins as a major player, also have a major claim to the license.
“Any public presentation will be fascinating. They could sell tickets for that one and it will be a guaranteed sell-out.”
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