Newcastle community station 2 NUR FM has been excluded from joining ratings surveys in Newcastle after negotiations with its commercial counterparts for a place in the 2004 surveys were overruled.

2 NUR, which plays ‘easy listening favourites’ as well as ethnic, student and specialist programs, wants to be part of the ratings so it can improve programming and justify its audience claims in the market.

Former commercial station manager John McGann, who now runs 2 NUR, says his board was willing to pay for the information.

Radioinfo understands that while the Caralis stations 2HD and New FM were willing to allow 2 NUR to be measured, the Austereo/RGCapital stations KO and NX were not.

2 NUR has now been officially told by survey company Nielsen Media Research that, since it is not a commercial operator it is not eligible to participate in the surveys.

McGann says the decision is an anomaly because in other markets, such as Darwin, Townsville and Bendigo, community stations have been allowed to participate in ratings if they have been willing to pay their share.

McGann told radioinfo he would have used the information to improve programming:

“After 30 yrs in commercial radio, I wanted to make sure things were working professionally here. To ensure we were able to quote accurate figures. The board agreed with my view and was willing to pay.”

“4 years ago we were about to close down, now we have turned this station around by giving it direction and rebuilding the product with improved programming, and we are generating additional radio dollars in the market to help pay our way. We are still an alternative station and we are not directly competitive with the other stations in town.”

McGann believes there is a “great future for community radio if stations look for a point of difference in their market and believe in themselves.” But he will have to get the information to prove it some other way.