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 +
Ofcom awards six new community radio licences (May 2020)
Ofcom has announced the award of six new community radio licences in England and Scotland. The new stations will serve communities in Dunfermline in Scotland, and Kent, London and North Somerset in England. Community radio services are provided on a not-for-profit basis, focusing on the delivery of specific social benefits Read more +
Emergency fund of £400,000 to support community radio through COVID-19
Community Media Association Press Release Emergency fund of £400,000 to support community radio through COVID-19 ● £400,000 Community Radio Fund redirected to provide emergency support to hard-hit community stations ● Payments to help meet core costs of providing vital programming to local communities to made to successful applicants within weeks Read more +
Ofcom Develops Temporary COVID-19 Short-term Restricted Service Licence
Ofcom has developed a new temporary licence product in light of the extraordinary circumstances of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic for those wanting to provide a radio service designed specifically to share information, news and updates about the Covid-19 pandemic with their community. Ofcom, like all of us, must act responsibly at Read more +
Ofcom Statement: Licensing small-scale DAB – how Ofcom will exercise its new functions
Small-scale DAB is a new way of transmitting digital radio that uses advances in software and low-cost computer technology to provide a flexible and inexpensive approach to the terrestrial broadcast of digital radio services to a relatively small geographic area. Ofcom has now published its statement that sets out how Read more +
BBC Local Radio Content available for community radio stations
Community Media Association member stations may now rebroadcast selected BBC Local Radio content during the current coronavirus epidemic. Danny Lawrence, Gateway 97.8, and Chairman of the Community Media Association said: “We’re delighted to be working with BBC Local Radio in this initiative to share their content with community radio stations Read more +
Community Radio & COVID-19 – Write to Your MP today
Community radio stations are engaging with the COVID19 crisis across the UK and are doing everything they can to broadcast critical news, advice, and information to their local communities at this time of need. However, this crisis has generated massive financial and demand pressures on the community media sector at Read more +
Ofcom: a Coronavirus update
Dear Broadcaster Ofcom is understandably receiving a number of queries from broadcast licensees about the Coronavirus situation and how we will view any impact the current situation has on compliance with regulatory obligations. We recognise that the current situation is fast-moving and unpredictable. We appreciate that all organisations will need to follow Government Read more +
Key Commitments and coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Community Media Association recently raised the issue with Ofcom of the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) possibly impacting on the ability of community radio stations to meet their Key Commitments. Ofcom advises that in any situation where they are assessing whether or not a station is complying with its Key Commitments (or Format for Read more +
Ofcom awards four new community radio licences
Ofcom has announced the award of three new community radio licences in England, and one in Scotland. The new stations will serve communities in Edinburgh, Melksham in Wiltshire, Thornbury in Gloucestershire and Wimborne Minster, East Dorset. Community radio services are provided on a not-for-profit basis, focusing on the delivery of Read more +
Community Media Association confirms Chairman, Vice-Chair, and Treasurer
Following the Annual General Meeting of the Community Media Association (CMA) last November and the first meeting of its newly elected Council on Saturday 11th January, the CMA has confirmed the re-appointment of Danny Lawrence of Gateway 97.8 as the Chairman. Janey Gordon of the University of Bedfordshire and Richard Read more +
Ofcom awards four new community radio licences
Ofcom announces the award of four new community radio licences in England, Scotland, and Wales. The new stations will serve communities in Shaftesbury, Dorset in England; Shotts in Lanarkshire, Scotland; Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales; and Towyn, Conwy, in North Wales. Community radio services are provided on a not-for-profit basis, Read more +
Community Media Association calls for more support and recognition of community radio
Ahead of the deadline for all prospective candidates to submit their nomination for the upcoming General Election, the Community Media Association (CMA) has called on its members, their friends and family, and the wider public to ask for more support and recognition for community radio from prospective MPs. The CMA highlights three possible Read more +
