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 +
2020/21 Evidencing Community Radio Needs on FM Survey
The Community Media Association is conducting a survey to gauge the potential interest of community media projects that aspire to obtain a full-time 5-year community radio licence on FM. This survey will close in early January 2021. The first round of licensing for small-scale digital audio broadcasting closed in November 2020 and the invitation Read more +
45 Applications for Small Scale DAB Multiplexes Received
Ofcom has received 45 applications for multiplex licences for the 25 areas in Round 1 of the Small Scale DAB licensing process. All licensed areas have received at least one application with Leeds being the most contested area with five applications and Bradford the next with four multiplex licence applications. Read more +
Free passes for the Radio Festival up for grabs for CMA members!
We are delighted to announce that the Community Media Association has a number of free passes for the 2020 Radio Festival to give away to our members! The Radio Academy Festival 2020 will explore ‘The New Normal’ for radio and audio in the UK. It will celebrate the extraordinary way Read more +
Short-term restricted service licences – application window opens for 2021 period of high demand
Ofcom has opened an application window for short-term restricted service licence applicants hoping to broadcast between 9 April and 14 May 2021 inclusive – an anticipated period of high-demand that also includes Ramadan. Short-term radio licences are granted for analogue services broadcasting to defined locations, or for coverage of events such as music Read more +
Applications open for small-scale DAB multiplex licences
Ofcom is now advertising the first 25 small-scale DAB radio multiplex licences – offering a low-cost route for local commercial, community and specialist music stations to take to the digital airwaves. Small-scale DAB is an innovative technology that will expand local digital radio coverage and ensure listeners will be able Read more +
Thirty-one community radio stations to receive emergency funding
Ofcom has announced that 31 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 +
Temporary RSLs can continue beyond 5th September
Temporary radio stations providing news and information about the coronavirus pandemic have the option to continue to broadcast beyond 5 September, in areas which are subject to additional lockdown restrictions. Ofcom introduced the new temporary Covid-19 “short-term restricted service licence” (SRSL) at the start of lockdown in March. Licences were Read more +
Community Radio Fund Survey
The Community Media Association is surveying community radio stations that have previously received a grant from the Community Radio Fund with a view to providing positive evidence to support an increase in funding for the sector. Survey data may be shared with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. Read more +
Key Commitments Survey
The Community Media Association is surveying the sector on the delivery of stations’ key commitments during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. We are collating responses to be presented to Ofcom in August and all replies will be anonymised for confidentiality. https://chat.commedia.org.uk/t/key-commitments-survey/1788
Ofcom awards three new community radio licences in Northampton
Ofcom has announced the award of three new community radio licences in Northampton. The three new community radio licences have been awarded to: Inspiration FM (Inspiration Radio Ltd), Northampton Website: www.inspirationfm.co.uk Inspiration FM will serve underrepresented ethnic minority communities in Northampton with the specific aim of promoting social inclusion. The service Read more +
Community Radio Fund – second round
Ofcom has invited applications to a second round of the Community Radio Fund which is now open until 5pm 3rd August with a view to awarding the outstanding funds available. The total amount available in 2020-21 is £406,810. In the first funding round, the Panel awarded grants totalling £333,152. The second Read more +
DEC Coronavirus Appeal
As lockdown measures gradually lift here in the UK, elsewhere families who have fled violence, conflict, and hunger in the world’s most fragile places need our help. Many are now living in crowded refugee and displacement camps with little access to medical care, clean water or enough food, making them Read more +
Tell Rishi Sunak: Rebuild With Community Radio
Ahead of an expected summer statement from the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, on Wednesday 8th July to boost the British economy emerging from lockdown, the Community Media Association is asking its supporters to call on HM Treasury for a Community Radio Stimulus Package consisting of the following five requests: a) A second round of funding Read more +
Award of grants 2020-21 Round 1
During the current public health crisis, community radio can provide a reassuring local voice to millions of people. However, many community stations are facing significant financial challenges as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. In response, the government announced £400,000 of emergency funding to help stations meet the core costs Read more +
Commencement of small-scale DAB licensing
Following the publication of Ofcom’s Statement in April on Licensing small-scale DAB, Ofcom has announced their plans to advertise the first (‘Round One’) small-scale radio multiplex licences on Tuesday 1 September 2020. This will also be the date from which applicants will be able to apply for a Community Digital Read more +
