Listeners from Warrington to Wrexham will soon be able to tune into a wider choice of ultra-local digital radio stations, with Ofcom awarding 17 small-scale DAB radio multiplex licences in North West England and North East Wales.[1] Small-scale DAB is an innovative technology which provides a low-cost route to air for local Read more +
Community Radio Fund 1st Round 2022-23
The first round of the Community Radio Fund 2022-23 opened for applications from eligible stations on Tuesday 10 May 2022 and will close at 5pm on Friday 10 June 2022. The total amount available over the course of 2022-23 is £393,816, due to a small overallocation of funding in 2021-22 Read more +
Community Media Festival Saturday 7th May University of Bedfordshire, Luton
On Saturday 7th May, the Community Media Association will be Celebrating The Power of Inclusion as we head to the University of Bedfordshire’s Luton campus for the long-awaited return of our annual Community Media Festival. Book here now: https://2022-festival.eventbrite.co.uk We are still working on the final programme for the day Read more +
The Community DAB Handbook
February’s Community Radio Sector Meeting hosted by the Community Media Association features the launch of a new resource for community radio stations and anyone interested in broadcasting on small-scale DAB: The Community DAB Handbook. The meeting will be held online via Zoom and is free to attend. It is open Read more +
Community Radio Fund: Award of Grants 2021-22, Round 2
Ofcom’s Community Radio Fund Panel (‘the Panel’) met on Friday 4 February 2022 to consider applications in the second round of funding for the 2021-22 financial year. The Panel considered each application and awarded funding based on the information provided and with reference to the Community Radio Fund (‘the Fund’) guidance notes. For Read more +
Ofcom invites applications for third round of small-scale DAB multiplex licences
Applications have opened for the third round of small-scale DAB radio multiplex licences for 25 areas across England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Small-scale DAB is an innovative technology that provides a low-cost way for local commercial, community and specialist music services to take to the digital airwaves. The small-scale Read more +
Statement from the CMA on the Audio Content Fund
The Community Media Association (CMA) is obviously disappointed to learn the news that the Audio Content Fund pilot phase is to end. The Audio Content Fund (ACF) has provided great opportunities in linking community radio broadcasters with independent radio producers to make high-quality public service content that would have had Read more +
Points of Light Award for Danny Lawrence BEM
Danny Lawrence BEM is a local councillor and station manager of Basildon community radio station Gateway 97.8 who created a free radio scheme during the pandemic, distributing over 15,000 radios to help older people and those at risk of isolation. Danny has been a champion for community radio for Read more +
2nd Round Community Radio Fund 2021-22
The second round of the Community Radio Fund 2021-22 opened for applications from eligible stations on Wednesday 1 December and will close at 5pm on Friday 7 January 2022. In addition to the £178,533 available after the conclusion of the first round, DCMS has also made an additional £200,000 available for Read more +
The UK’s first permanent small-scale DAB multiplex launches!
The UK’s first permanent small-scale DAB multiplex fires up this week marking another milestone in the UK’s radio landscape. Test broadcasts on the first permanent small-scale DAB multiplex will start in Tynemouth and South Shields this week. Tests will continue until Friday 10th December when up to 20 new Read more +
Third & Fourth Small-scale DAB Licensing Rounds
The list of multiplex licence areas that Ofcom plans to advertise in Round Three of small-scale DAB licensing is available: Bedford Belfast & Lisburn Coventry Darlington & Bishop Auckland Dundee East Hull Leicester Lincoln Llandudno & Betws-y-Coed Middlesbrough & Redcar Milton Keynes North Aberdeen Nottingham Oxford Rutland & Stamford Shaftesbury & Blandford Read more +
Ofcom publishes applications for second round of small-scale DAB licensing
Ofcom has published the applications received to operate small-scale radio multiplexes in North West England and North East Wales. Small-scale DAB is an innovative technology that will provide a low-cost route for local commercial, community, and specialist music stations to take to the digital airwaves. A total of 30 applications were received Read more +
Apply for a short-term restricted service licence (SRSL)
Ofcom has opened an application window for SRSL applicants hoping to broadcast on any dates between Wednesday 30 March and Tuesday 3 May 2022 inclusive – of relevance for Ramadan 2022. The application window will remain open until 5pm on Friday 17 September 2021. Applicants should ensure they are familiar with the application Read more +
Even more digital radio stations to take to the airwaves
Innovative technology to bring over 500 hyper-local stations to the digital airwaves New services to launch in all four nations of the UK Further licences to be awarded later this year Thousands of listeners right across the UK are set to enjoy a richer and wider range of radio programming Read more +
Wavelength Radio Campaign
WaveLength gives radios, televisions, and tablet computers to those in need across the UK. This technology can help to maintain and increase the number of meaningful connections people have in their lives and act as a window to the world. Wavelength supports those who are lonely because of age, poor physical Read more +
CMA launches new ‘CRF Assistance’ service
The Community Media Association has launched CRF Assistance, a free service to help up to 15 CMA members apply to Ofcom’s Community Radio Fund (CRF). Drawing on 15 years of experience of being a CRF Panel member, CMA Treasurer Richard Hilton will initially offer at least an hour’s free one-to-one Read more +
Ofcom progresses the next phase of SSDAB licensing
More local listeners will be able to tune into new digital radio stations, as Ofcom continues its roll-out of small-scale DAB. Small-scale DAB is an innovative technology that provides a low-cost way for local commercial, community and specialist music services to take to the digital airwaves. Ofcom has: announced five Read more +
Applications open for Community Radio Fund 2021-22 – Round 1
Applications have opened for Ofcom-licensed community radio stations to apply for Government funding to help them meet their core costs. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has provided £400,000 in grants for the 2021-22 financial year, and Ofcom is responsible for administering the Fund. In 2020-21, grants were Read more +
Ofcom announces latest small-scale DAB multiplex awards
Ofcom has awarded another round of small-scale DAB radio multiplex licences for five more areas in England, Scotland and Wales. Following a competitive process, where each applicant was judged against specific criteria, multiplex licences have been awarded for the following areas: Cardiff: licence awarded to Cardiff DAB Limited Edinburgh: licence awarded Read more +
2021 Mental Health Minute campaign
We are delighted to let you know that community, commercial, and BBC radio stations will be uniting once again to broadcast a special and important message in support of mental health awareness – and we would love for your station to support the initiative. Radiocentre has partnered with the Community Read more +
Ofcom awards second wave of small-scale DAB multiplex licences
Ofcom has awarded four more small-scale DAB radio multiplex licences in England and Scotland. Small-scale DAB is an innovative technology that provides a low-cost way for local commercial, community and specialist music services to take to the digital airwaves. Following a competitive process, where each applicant was judged against specific Read more +
2021 / 2022 Community Radio Fund Survey
The Community Radio Fund, administered by Ofcom, typically offers two rounds of funding. The CMA would like to know if you would prefer the first round to be emergency funding, such as we had last year, or should the Fund return to its usual purpose to help develop and sustain Read more +
Ofcom awards first small-scale DAB multiplex licences
Ofcom has announced the first-ever awards of small-scale radio multiplex licences. Small-scale DAB is an innovative technology which provides a low-cost route for local commercial, community and specialist music stations to take to the airwaves. Last year, Ofcom set out how they would license small-scale DAB and invited applications for a first round of multiplex licences. Following Read more +
Fifty-three community radio stations to receive emergency funding
Ofcom has announced that 53 community radio stations will receive emergency funding through the Community Radio Fund. During the Covid-19 pandemic, community radio stations have provided valuable local news and support to millions of people. However, many have also faced severe financial challenges. In response, the UK Government announced emergency Read more +
DCMS Community Radio Listener Survey
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), is conducting a review of the radio industry. They are very interested in learning more about who tunes in to community radio stations like yours, and about when and why they listen. We want as many of your listeners as possible Read more +
A Message from the CMA Chair
Dear Members, Friends, and Supporters Welcome to the Chair’s letter which comes at the same time as the CMA’s first Newsletter of the year. I hope that January has gone well for you? It is a bleak time of year at the best of times but COVID and lockdown brings Read more +
February 2021 Ofcom meeting
The Community Media Association has a virtual meeting with Ofcom in February. The main agenda items for Ofcom will be progress with SSDAB, analogue licensing issues, Key Commitments, and sector funding. The notes from the last meeting are available in the Chat Forum. Please detail any specific additional issues that Read more +
A Message from the CMA Chair
Dear Members, Friends, and Supporters We are coming to the end of a year we may want to forget but will remember forever. 2020: the game changer. The year when the global pandemic hit, disrupting everything causing pain, loss, hardship, and uncertainty. Yet in all the grimness we find that Read more +
Ofcom publishes list of applications for small-scale DAB multiplexes
Ofcom has published a full list of applications received in the first round of small-scale DAB multiplex licensing. Small-scale DAB is an innovative technology which will provide a low-cost route for local commercial, community and specialist music stations to take to the digital airwaves. A total of 45 applications were Read more +
Applications reopen to community radio stations for emergency funding
Community radio stations are being given a third chance to apply for emergency funding to help them through the Covid-19 crisis. Community radio stations have provided a reassuring voice to millions of people during the ongoing public health crisis, but many have faced severe financial difficulties. In response, the UK Read more +
