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 +
Posts Tagged: community radio
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
Venue and date confirmed for 2019 Community Radio Awards
The 2019 Community Radio Awards will be coming to Barry, South Wales, in October. The awards will run at the Memo Arts Centre, on Saturday 26 October – after the ‘Community Radio Now & Next’ event. Martin Steers, Awards chair, said: “We are ecstatic that the awards have seen even Read more +
Sharon White to step down as Ofcom Chief Executive
The Ofcom Board has announced that Sharon White is to step down as Chief Executive. Sharon is leaving to become Chairman of The John Lewis Partnership. She is expected to leave Ofcom around the turn of the year. Sharon joined Ofcom in March 2015 from HM Treasury where she was Read more +
The Young ARIAS – deadline 18th March
The Young ARIAS are the new UK awards for 8 to 18-year-olds and schools who love making audio. If you’re involved in radio, podcasts or audio projects, then we want to shine a spotlight on your talent. Entering is simple and best of all free. They need a 10-minute audio Read more +
The 2019 Community Media Conference
2019 Community Media Conference The CMA held a very successful Community Media Conference on 28th September at BBC Quay House, MediaCityUK in Salford. The theme of this year’s Conference was “We Need to Talk” to recognise that the community media sector needs to talk to Government, to funders, and to Read more +
World Radio Day 2019
On 13 February 2019, UNESCO will celebrate the 8th edition of World Radio Day. This day marks a time where people around the world celebrate radio and how it shapes our lives. Radio informs, transforms and unites us. It brings together people and communities from all backgrounds to foster positive Read more +
World Radio Day 2019
On 13 February 2019, UNESCO will celebrate the 8th edition of World Radio Day. This day marks a time where people around the world celebrate radio and how it shapes our lives. Radio informs, transforms and unites us. It brings together people and communities from all backgrounds to foster positive Read more +
Community Radio promos
Together with Danny Lawrence, Chair of the CMA, Devaweb has produced these four promos to help encourage advertising on community radio. There are two different scripts, each with a calmer female version and a more upbeat male read. These promos are licensed to be used free of charge by any Read more +
CMA Chair Awarded British Citizen Award
Danny Lawrence, from Gateway 97.8 and Chair of the Community Media Association, has received the British Citizen Award for Community for his outstanding contributions to community radio across the UK at a presentation ceremony at the Cholmondeley Room and Terrace at the House of Lords, in Westminster. Danny, who is a Read more +
Community Media News Issue #21 Dec 2018
In this edition, we have an update from the recent Community Media Association’s AGM in London. We share information on applying to Ofcom for a new community radio licence and also congratulate Unity 101 as they celebrate 13 years on air. There’s good news on a couple of projects at Read more +
Invitation of applications for new community radio licences
Ofcom is inviting applications for new FM community radio licences (PDF, 196.3 KB) in 43 areas across the UK. These areas were announced in September 2018, and were based on earlier responses from individuals or groups who had expressed an interest in applying for a community radio licence. The closing Read more +
Community Radio (Amendment) Order – Survey
In order to progress the development of small-scale DAB licensing, DCMS will need to develop the detail of the new arrangements with a view to seeking legislation when parliamentary time allows. The proposals will require changes to the Broadcasting Act 1990, the Broadcasting Act 1996 and the Communications Act 2003. Read more +
Expressions of interest in small-scale DAB
Ofcom has published details of the responses to their call for expressions of interest for small-scale DAB. Small-scale DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is an innovative technology designed to allow local stations to achieve affordable transmission on digital radio. Ofcom’s update contains three maps and tables showing the locations where parties Read more +
The Community Media Association’s Response to Radiocentre’s Report: Small-Scale Radio in the UK
A PDF version of this text may be downloaded here. The story of community radio in the United Kingdom is one of success. From the humble origins of fifteen Access radio stations in the early 2000s, there are now over 270 licensed community radio stations across the whole of the Read more +
Community Media News Issue #19
It’s been a very busy month, and in this edition of Community Media News we report on the DCMS response to the industry consultation on the development of Small Scale Digital Audio Broadcasting. We also share news of events across the UK, Mapping Community Media, Rethinking Digital Inclusion and discounted tickets for RadioTechCon. There is news from Awaz Read more +
Small-Scale DAB Licensing consultation – Comment from the Community Media Association on the Government’s proposals
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has published its response to the industry consultation on the development of Small Scale Digital Audio Broadcasting (SSDAB). The Community Media Association (CMA) is the sector body for community media in the UK and includes among its membership the majority of Read more +
World Mental Health Day 10th October
The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year. The day provides an opportunity “for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide”. This year’s theme set by Read more +
