Geo-Blocking

​Hey, hope everyone is doing well as life slowly moves towards the ‘new normal’

I’ve got disappointed news if you listen to Greatest Hits outside Ireland.

We’ve had to Geo-Block the station as the costs are just too high. This means we need to limit listening to Ireland only :(

From day one, Greatest Hits Ireland made a decision to fully concentrate on the Irish radio market. However, the internet being what it is, meant many listeners discovered us, and hung around.

Our latest listening stats show that 83% of our listeners are from Ireland. This is fantastic news for us, and exactly where we wanted to be, with listening increasing weekly!

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However, on the downside, my apologies to the 17% who listen outside Ireland, as we’ll have to cut you off from this point.

From today, 1st July 2020 Irish radio stations playing music are only licensed to broadcast if they pay fees in EACH country.

The following 41 countries are currently covered by a licence from PPI, once the licence fees has been paid:

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, Uruguay.

Sounds reasonable, a 12 month licence for €239.25  + 23% VAT.

Not quite, that’s for EACH country. This works out at 10,016.50 + VAT per year!! I know, I had to triple check these figures!

Unfortunately you also need a separate licence from Sound Exchange to broadcast into the USA.

I can’t see many, if any, Irish stations paying such fees

It’s very disappointing, as radio in general, is such a lifeline for so many Irish people all over the world. I can see this story develop, as listeners abroad realise the consequences.

Broadcasting overseas has no real financial benefit to most Irish stations, but means so much to listeners, especially those with Irish connections.

All Irish broadcasters now have three choices:

A. Pay individual fees for each country.

B. Geo-Block, as we’ve done. (Limiting to Ireland only)

C. Take a chance, and face the consequences of heavy fines.

It’s going to be frustrating as  small stations may well take their chance, and probably go to ground if / when they’re found out.

My apologies once again if you’re affected by our decision.

For the rest of you, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you wholeheartedly for supporting Greatest Hits, and ask you to please keep spreading the word :)

Stephen