In spite of its superb track record, its high listenership rating and the glowing analysis by the BCI's chief executive, the commission awarded the licence to a new consortium with absolutely no broadcasting experience. In its report, the justification of the commission could not have been more flimsy, more ridiculous or trumped up. It questioned the issue of shared broadcasting. However, for 13 years, neither the BCI nor its predecessor, the Independent Radio and Television Commission, raised this issue with North West Radio management. The listenership figures proved conclusively that joint programming is successful. How does this fit with the joint programming of Shannonside FM and Northern Sound radio and the two Cork stations owned by County Media?