Manx Radio made a loss of nearly £38,000 in the last financial year.

The figure, revealed in the public service broadcaster’s accounts for 2017/18, is due to be presented to Tynwald next week.

Manx Radio chairman Bill Mummery (pictured below) described the loss totalling £37,975 as ’disappointing, but a considerable improvement over the previous year’s loss’ .

It compares with losses of £82,406 in 2016/2017 and £48,713 in 2015/16.

Operating expenses of £2,046,052 were £117,806 (5%) down on the previous year.

Manx Radio’s government subvention remained at £875,000 and represented 43% of the company’s expenditure in 2017/18.

Manx Radio has also had to defend its position after 3FM and Energy FM both labelled it ’unfair’. The commercial stations have to compete with Manx Radio for advertising. Ron Berry of 3FM claimed a client had told him that Manx Radio was offering advertising worth £34,000 at a price of just £6,708.

Also revealed in the company’s annual figures is the amount paid to directors and three members of staff.

It states: ’The chairman received remuneration of £9,334 (2017: £9,156).

’The other non-executive directors received £6,236 each (2017: £6,144 each) and the chairman of the audit committee received an additional £1,741 (2017: £1,715).’

Two members of staff earned between £50,000 and £74,999 and one earned between £75,000 and £99,999. This is unchanged from the previous year.

Mr Mummery told The Examiner: ’The year-on-year improvement in operating costs reflects a strong team effort across the business plus an exceptional level of commitment.

’We will of course continue to look for efficiencies while maintaining a quality of service in our public service broadcasting output.’

In regards to how the station is performing this year, he said: ’We will be making every effort to deliver a positive outcome but as with any marginally profitable business in the present climate and uncertainties there can be external factors and headwinds to contend with.

’There has to be a dual aim of conserving cash whilst delivering a high quality of PSB .’

Mr Mummery also answered questions regarding criticisms from 3FM and Energy FM earlier in the year.

’I am unclear what it is that concerns the other licensed operators.

’The fact is that the subvention of £875,000 from government is a partial contribution to the costs of delivering the nation’s public service broadcasting. You cannot compare the costs associated with delivering this remit against primarily "music-only" stations.’

Mr Mummery denied Manx Radio received an increased subvention in the 2017/18 financial year.

A reported figure of £955,000 included £80,000 moved over from the Department of Home Affairs linked to the transfer of the AM and FM transmission networks.

He said: ’There are some transfer of funding items e.g in relation to transmission equipment that came out of the 2014 report where ownership of the equipment and the responsibility to maintain that equipment has been transferred but no "new monies".’

The interim report states: ’We conclude that the provision of radio advertising capability is not in itself a public service. If Manx Radio were to stop carrying advertisements, businesses in the Isle of Man would not be significantly inconvenienced.’

Mr Mummery said: ’There are a number of "what if" recommendations that Tynwald could make each of which would have consequences. Provided these are recognised and provision made for their impact it is entirely a matter for Tynwald and the select committee to consider.’

Mr Mummery addressed figures that suggest Manx Radio dropped its market share by seven points in one year from Q1 2017 to Q1 2018.

He said the figures may not be accurate on account of the poor weather at the start of the year which affected transport on and off the island.

He added: ’RAJAR who compile the data have confirmed that in Q1 2018 they had significant issues regarding the collection [ weather / travel ] of data that impacted upon their results, a pattern they identified over a wider area of their activities.’