THE BIGGER PICTURE
www.psa.org.uk
THE BIGGER PICTURE
THE INDUSTRY PRESERVATION SOCIETY
Last month, you met the two newest members of the PSA Council. This month,
we managed to get most of them lined up against a wall and shoot them — with a camera....
The first Council Meeting of the year saw the “Another exciting initiative is the creation OFCOM — IS 38 THE NEW 69?
election of officers with SSE Audio Group’s Emma of the Live Insurance Captive. By creating a
Barwell taking the Chair’s seat, Graham Gerrard vehicle where the industry can control its own The exact location of PMSE spectrum remains in
being elected treasurer and James Cobb stepping insurance policies we are no longer at the mercy the realms of pure speculation as Ofcom enters
up to the plate as Vice Chair. The secretary’s seat of insurance companies that do not have in- yet another period of consultation. This time
remains firmly in the grasp of John-Henri Mills. depth knowledge of what we do and can extend we find ourselves consulting on a move away
For those who need reminding, it’s the Council the benefits we get from our independence to from Channel 69 due to a growing number of
that runs the PSA in terms of its direction and everyone who works in our industry.” Euro-neighbours deciding to clear that channel
activities. The make-up of Council is designed to and the eight below it to create a harmonised,
reflect the membership but they are always open THE NOISE LIMITING HOAX cleared spectrum suitable for mobile broadband
to suggestion and requests. Council meetings (other uses are available, see press for details).
take place at least five times per year so there are If we had a new member for every request to In the consultation document, Ofcom seems
plenty of opportunities to get you views heard. sign the e-petition to stop the Government keen to note (on more than one occasion)
They can be contacted through the PSA requiring a noise limiter in every venue licensed that it wasn’t the one who announced the
office by phone, fax or e-mail, or you can open for entertainment, we’d have a much bigger original plan to clear less spectrum than our
matters for discussion on the recently formed membership. That in turn would give the neighbours planned to. Still, Ofcom has decided
PSA Members’ Facebook Group. industry a stronger voice in order to say ‘NO’ to that harmonising with others will deliver better
Government proposals requiring a noise limiter benefits to the true owners of spectrum — the
MEET THE CHAIR in every venue licensed for entertainment. Great British Public — the main benefit being a
But we wouldn’t have to because they’re bigger wad of cash from prospective purchasers
Upon election as the new Chair, Emma Barwell simply not proposing that. Yes, the GM signed due to a bigger potential customer base.
sent us this message: “I feel quite privileged to the petition but only so he would receive We’re wondering, here at PSA Towers, if that
take over this role on council from Lee Spencer Government’s response to the panic-inducing, money will be fed straight into the ailing banks
who has been a colourful Chairman over the badly informed petition... which reads: who would normally be financing the bids from
last two years, and certainly bought a wealth of “We are pleased to tell you that there is no the ailing mobile operators. Ofcom’s conservative
knowledge and insight to the Council. truth in claims that the Government is planning estimate is £2-3billion.
“2009 presents many challenges for the to introduce a requirement for entertainment This adjustment in thinking means that Ofcom
production services industry. The Digital venues to fit noise control devices. has the task of finding two channels for some
Dividend Review is still a hot topic, as Ofcom “Each Local Authority Licensing Authority Digital TV that was originally supposed to occupy
has yet to be able to deliver a clear indication considers every live music application on its Channels 61 and 62 as well as finding a new
of things to come and how we can best prepare merits, and decisions are made entirely by them. home for PMSE which, until now, was remaining
for them. And while I am confident that music However, the Licensing Act 2003 does not fairly and squarely in Channel 69.
events will continue to buck the trend because allow mandatory conditions for live music to The consultation document suggests that the
everyone needs a good night out at times like be imposed across the board. It would not be new home for PMSE should be Channel 38, soon
these, budgets for corporate and other events possible to impose such a condition without a to be cleared of Radioastronomy — “Can you
will certainly be under much greater scrutiny as change in the law and such a change is not, and hear me Wembley?” replaces “Is there anybody
companies seek to reduce costs and prepare for never has been, on the Government’s agenda. out there?”.
a financially, difficult year. “There is also no legal requirement under We asked ourselves why 38? Ofcom seems
“However, it is not all gloom and doom as health and safety legislation for entertainment keen to push PMSE into channels that have less
initiatives such as the Event Safety Passport are venues to have noise control devices fitted, nor value to other potential users. Then we find out
taken up by Glastonbury Festivals Ltd. The next is there any proposal. The Government is acutely that Channel 38 is still used for Radioastronomy
step for us is to encourage other event groups, aware of the contribution that music makes over in the Netherlands, rendering it not very
buyers and producers to follow suit and create to our culture and we remain committed to a useful for high-powered TV applications.
a truly industry-wide standard. The success of vibrant and flourishing creative sector, of which Potentially this could mean a lower ‘opportunity
simple initiatives like this can lead to greater co- live music plays an essential part.” cost’ of spectrum compared to that of Channel
operation and sharing of information within the So there you have it, they love us and we 69. It could also mean eviction if Dutch stargazers
industry, that enables us to act as one voice to continue to tolerate them. But what about that are booted out of their channel.
improve all of our fortunes. new law banning ladders... Then there’s the cost of all that new kit, not to
70 • TPi MARCH 09
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