JOB losses at Manx Radio look likely after the radio station announced it has been forced to restructure in order to be "fit for the future".
It follows a reduction in the annual subvention that the station receives from the Isle of Man Government.
A statement released today (Wednesday) said: "The proposed Budget reduction in our subvention to £850,000 leaves Manx Radio around £300,000 short of where the situation should be, had government adhered to the funding formula approved by Tynwald in 2006."
According to Manx Radio, which is co-funded by commercial revenues, a consultation period has been launched to identify potential savings.
The presenting team is likely to be reduced from five people to one and the radio station has said there are plans for the "vast majority of programmes" to be presented on a freelance basis in the future.
The statement continued: "This has become the norm within the wider commercial radio industry and is expected to be adopted by Manx Radio".
News, sales and engineering staff at Manx Radio have also come under "close scrutiny" and have been asked to make contributions to the station's overheads.
Two news editor posts - news editor online and news editor broadcast – have been earmarked for closure and are expected to be replaced with a single news editor position.
A broadcast journalist who is set to retire in the summer will not be replaced.
David North, Manx Radio's chairman, said: "The staff at Manx Radio are extremely talented and have been committed to delivering the best listener experience possible.
"It is hugely disappointing that some of our award winning team are likely to leave the station at this time and I'm sure this will come as a great disappointment to many listeners.
"However all listeners should be reassured that the Manx Radio board will be doing all it can to retain the range and quality of programming that listeners have come to expect and enjoy from the station over recent years."
Managing director Anthony Pugh said: "It is very regretful that the company could be losing some talented and loyal individuals however our main objective has to be to maintain the award winning services of Manx Radio for our listeners without further burdening the Manx tax payer.
"We have worked hard to ensure the majority of our programming will remain largely unchanged and we will still be offering the Island business community the same excellent standards and opportunities for advertising. Our engineering team will also continue to offer first rate engineering services to commercial clients.
"The restructure of Manx Radio will allow the station to continue on a sure footing for the future. The station commands the premier role in broadcasting in the Isle of Man and will continue to do so."
It is anticipated that the savings will be identified and implemented by March 31 subject to the 2012/13 Budget being approved by Tynwald.
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