Power FM, a Dublin-based digital radio station that has been in operation on various platforms for 16 years, has been granted a temporary licence, and will begin officially broadcasting on the airwaves for a 10-week period today.
Station founder Brian Chamberlain told The Ticketthat he was thrilled at the BCI's decision to grant the licence. "We've been working towards this for well over a year," he said. "We've built up a huge following digitally, and I'm confident that our 10 weeks will prove to be a fresh direction for the Dublin airwaves and a huge success." The temporary licence means that the station – which will continue to run on www.powerfm.org from Monday to Thursday – can go on air for a series of three-day weekend broadcasts for 10 weeks, ending on June 14th.
Based in Glasnevin, Dublin, Power FM began as a pirate station in 1993 before evolving to become a digital/online entity in 2003, and currently has a roster of 40 voluntary staff.
The station promises to play an active role in the Dublin music scene, and will team up with various venues, promoters and organisations including Twisted Pepper, POD and the Dublin Electronic Arts Festival in the coming months.
The Power FM story echoes that of another Dublin-based station, Phantom FM, which was also granted two temporary contracts in 2003 and 2004 before receiving its permanent licence.
