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By John Kaponi London is the home to over 100 nationalities but uniquely only one community has the ability to broadcast legally on FM and that is London Greek Radio, established over twenty years ago by the Radio Authority for the capitals thriving Greek community. Today with the onset of the digital revolution and the meltdown in advertising affecting the "mainstream" commercial radio community, LGR faces some tough choices ahead. Sources within LGR have confirmed that plans to reduce its head count and streamline its operations are in place. The station is supported financially by thousands of small and large businesses linked with the Greek community of London. John Kyriakides LGR's Managing Director gave an interview to the London Daily News dismissing any concerns that LGR was no longer commercially viable by saying: "We are restructuring things because of the economic situation and the changing world and we are catering more for the "new generation". Things are very competitive now we have the internet, satelite but LGR is unique as it caters for the Greek community in London". The dilemma that LGR has faced is the issue of whether it acts as "BBC type" station for the Greek community in London, where music, religion, politics, sports is catered for or simply becomes a Capital FM station for Greeks, with 80-90% per cent music and elements of talk. The departure of Barry Evangeli from the LGR in 2008 was a blow to the station according to many commentators in the Greek community, claiming that many of the Greek community’s businesses who identified with "Barry Leventis" simply withdrew. There are according to sources at LGR ongoing attempts to entice Barry Evangeli back to LGR. Another issue that is causing alarm by the management of LGR is the failure of Ofcom to properly prosecute pirate radio stations that are operating to the left and right of LGR's 103.3FM frequency. "It is no coincidence that the pirates are Turkish and I am now of the opinion that there is a deliberate attempt to harm LGR. Ofcom are taking away transmitters, but are not confiscating expensive radio equipment. We are demanding tougher sanctions from Ofcom here." - John Kyriakides. Moreover the fact that London's Greek community has its own radio station on FM is something that many Greeks feel pride about. There are grumbles that the station is not broadcasting content of a high enough standard, but LGR survived much worse than the current economic crisis, and it will more than likely survive and thrive again into the digital age. London Greek Radio 103.3 FM www.lgr.co.uk photo credit: John Kyriakides LGR Managing Director
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