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Setting The Daily Record Straight
Shortly following the publication of the article about Hitz Radio in the Daily Record, major UK media communities such as Media UK began to question Dunlop's claims about the station, particularly those that he had "250,000 listeners" and annual turnover of over one million pounds. The Media UK message board community in particular began to investigate the station, looking at its legality and whether the listener figures given were even possible.
From the investigations, it soon emerged that Dunlop's claims were false. The audio streaming servers being run by Dunlop, for example, had a maximum listener capacity of well under a thousand, making the variety of figures quoted; 5,000,000, 250,000, or 80,000 drivetime listeners at any one time impossible. It is unclear as to how these figures are derived. Rajar, who is the UK radio industry's main listener statistics provider, base figures on concurrent figures over short duration. Rajar does not provide the statistics for indivudial internet stations in the UK. It is unclear as to how Hitz Radio UK's internal methodology for listener numbers links to the UK industry norms as seen by Rajar. Also, there was uncertainty whether Hitz Radio UK was licensed by Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) or MCPS-PRS Alliance, the two licensing bodies for internet stations based in the United Kingdom. Internet only radio stations operating from the UK are encouraged to display the PPL and MCPS/PRS logos, which most do, but Hitz Radio UK do not. Then from enquiries made to the two organisations, neither would confirm if Hitz Radio UK had the necessary licences. After this Ryan Dunlop approached Daniel Brewington, the CEO of Webradioworld for help about licencing. This essentially confirmed suspicion of Dunlop as an illegal and fraudulent broadcaster, at least up to that point.
Besides the erroneous listener numbers, questions were also raised over the reported financial figures. These ranged from £1,000,000 turnover in the 1st year of trading, mostly as profit. Other figures seen were of £25 million in company value and £37 million projected turnover. These figures are just as disputed as the listener figures. One reason is the station does not have any real value website advertisements, as they are commission only. Another reason is that the station is very light on commercial spot advertising. Thirdly employees, who have also been called volunteers, are paid in concert tickets. Fourthly the station's presenters/dj's have been trying to obtain free jingles/voiceovers. Another current presenter, as of May 2007, jokes that his only paid position is with the BBC.
The article published in the Daily Record and the subsequent Award, depriving entrepreneurs who have worked very hard for what they have achieved, should be revoked. Furthermore, the Daily Record should publish a revised article explaining the situation, going someway towards rectification.
From the investigations, it soon emerged that Dunlop's claims were false. The audio streaming servers being run by Dunlop, for example, had a maximum listener capacity of well under a thousand, making the variety of figures quoted; 5,000,000, 250,000, or 80,000 drivetime listeners at any one time impossible. It is unclear as to how these figures are derived. Rajar, who is the UK radio industry's main listener statistics provider, base figures on concurrent figures over short duration. Rajar does not provide the statistics for indivudial internet stations in the UK. It is unclear as to how Hitz Radio UK's internal methodology for listener numbers links to the UK industry norms as seen by Rajar. Also, there was uncertainty whether Hitz Radio UK was licensed by Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) or MCPS-PRS Alliance, the two licensing bodies for internet stations based in the United Kingdom. Internet only radio stations operating from the UK are encouraged to display the PPL and MCPS/PRS logos, which most do, but Hitz Radio UK do not. Then from enquiries made to the two organisations, neither would confirm if Hitz Radio UK had the necessary licences. After this Ryan Dunlop approached Daniel Brewington, the CEO of Webradioworld for help about licencing. This essentially confirmed suspicion of Dunlop as an illegal and fraudulent broadcaster, at least up to that point.
Besides the erroneous listener numbers, questions were also raised over the reported financial figures. These ranged from £1,000,000 turnover in the 1st year of trading, mostly as profit. Other figures seen were of £25 million in company value and £37 million projected turnover. These figures are just as disputed as the listener figures. One reason is the station does not have any real value website advertisements, as they are commission only. Another reason is that the station is very light on commercial spot advertising. Thirdly employees, who have also been called volunteers, are paid in concert tickets. Fourthly the station's presenters/dj's have been trying to obtain free jingles/voiceovers. Another current presenter, as of May 2007, jokes that his only paid position is with the BBC.
The article published in the Daily Record and the subsequent Award, depriving entrepreneurs who have worked very hard for what they have achieved, should be revoked. Furthermore, the Daily Record should publish a revised article explaining the situation, going someway towards rectification.
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