a measure to bring the rates in line with "local industry standards'' and up to 1995 levels, according to the company's marketing manager.

Mr. Rick Wynn, responding to advertising agencies concerns cited in a story in The Royal Gazette on Thursday said: "Many clients have not seen a rate increase since 1989.'' The increases due to be implemented July 1 will represent about 7.4 percent per year since 1989 for the prime time single 30 second television spot rate and .5 percent per year since 1989 for the prime time single 60 second television spot rate. For radio the increase represents about 10 percent per year since 1989 in the preferred time 30 second radio spot rate and less than nine percent per year since 1989 in the 60 second preferred spot rate, according to a release from BBC.

Had BBC increased it rates 6.7 percent yearly since 1989, they would equal the levels now proposed, explained Mr. Wynn.

Ad agencies said BBC was hiking rates anywhere from 27 to 71 percent.

"Programme and labour costs have increased in the last six years and that has to be reflected in rates,'' he said.

"We have received letters from three local advertising agencies and we have of course spoken with each of them about their specific concerns and we are very readily prepared to further discuss their interests. It is our immediate intention to touch base with all of our agencies with a view to intelligently address all of their concerns if we have in fact not already,'' he added.

"We are a local broadcaster competing for audiences and market share with the likes of cable and satellites,'' he added.

BBC also announced it's format for determining television and radio spot rates will return to the volume and frequency format used prior to a rate schedule, known as the number 1 rate card, introduced in 1991.

BBC operates ZBM TV channel 9, ZFB TV channel 7, and radio stations 1340 ZBM 2, 1230 ZFB AM, ZBM FM89, and ZBM FM 95.