MDA issues public tender for two FM frequencies

The Media Development Authority (MDA) has launched a public tender for two FM frequencies – FM 89.3 and FM 96.3, for proposals in operating the commercial or not-for-profit radio stations.Currently, the FM 89.3 spectrum is vacant while FM 96.3 is occupied by Expat Radio 96.3 XFM. The latter will be vacated by September 2016 upon expiry of its operating licence. MDA will not limit proposals to any particular genre or programming format in order to attract a wider range of proposals.All proposals will be evaluated based on the strength of programming characteristics and quality, along with the financial standing of the tenderers and their business plans.Those looking to operate commercial radio stations on the two frequencies will be required to submit a monetary bid. For those submitting not-for-profit proposals, this would not be necessary. Instead they will be evaluated on the social impact of their programming concepts.The tender opens today and it will close on 14 September 2016. Results will be announced by the first quarter of 2017.The tender document can be viewed here.