TechnicalSave our Sound Campaign
PLASA, along with other major organizations representing the British Entertainment Industry, is backing an ongoing campaign calling on the Government to act to secure the future of live music, newsgathering, theatre, film making, television production, conferences and community events in the UK.
All of these activities are under threat because communications regulator Ofcom, supported by Government, has decided to clear out and sell the radio frequencies that the industry relies on, moving us to other frequencies in the spectrum. As a consequence of this enforced 'migration', the vast majority of the UK's valuable stocks of wireless microphones, which are essential tools for content production in the creative industries and beyond, will become unusable.
If the activities and events listed above are to continue, then all affected equipment will need to be replaced at a stroke. This will cost tens of millions of pounds.
The Government has agreed to provide some compensation funding, but it is by no means comprehensive and requires numerous pre-conditions to be met before it will be released to the manufacturers, distributors and stockists affected by the changes. These businesses work to very tight margins and either cannot, or will struggle to cover the cost of replacing entire inventories.
The full impact of the move is still being assessed and consultations are ongoing.
Save our Sound UK is actively ensuring that the Government and Ofcom are made fully aware of the issues being faced by the industry.
We urge you to give your support to this important campaign.