I refer to the editorial ‘The Awful State of Radio in Malta’ dated Thursday 6 February.

Whilst agreeing with the editorial’s general thrust, it seems the author did not look at the bigger picture of rock radio in Malta.

All Rock is a 24-hour rock radio station broadcasting on the DAB + (digital radio) platform and streaming on allrockmalta.com. The station broadcasts a selection of non-stop classic rock together with a variety of specialised programmes hosted by knowledgeable disc jockeys.  The playlist for the nonstop music section of the schedule is not ‘googled’ but handpicked everyday by the Progammes Director. All Rock covers all rock sub genres including classic, folk, country and progressive rock, punk, indie and alternative , hard rock and heavy metal , psychadelia and the blues . All Rock has two programmes specialising in indie and alternative rock and one each on progressive rock and heavy metal. The latter includes interviews with foreign and local bands on the metal scene.

In a recent survey conducted by the Broadcasting Authority, All Rock topped the section dealing with ‘DAB only’ radio stations.  Its audience can only increase as DAB+ radio extends its penetration on the Maltese Islands.

As to why the state of Maltese radio is so awful, I put the blame on a Broadcasting Authority that is only interested in collecting licence fees and fines then raising the standards of local broadcasting.

Noel Mallia

Programmes Director

All Rock Radio