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 +
Posts Tagged: licensing
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 +
Ofcom – Supporting community radio across the UK
Ofcom announces that the current round of community radio licensing on FM or AM will be the last “for the foreseeable future, as we will shortly begin licensing new local digital radio stations that will use cutting-edge ‘small-scale DAB’ technology, pioneered by an Ofcom engineer. We expect to invite applications 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 +
New application process for short-term restricted service licences
Ofcom has outlined a new application process for short-term restricted service licences (SRSLs). Under the new process, applications should now be submitted by email. Other changes include requiring applicants to provide more detailed information to help us better assess whether they have appropriate processes for ensuring compliance with broadcasting standards. Read more +
Ofcom update on community radio licensing plans
Ofcom has published a list of 43 locations across the UK where they will invite applications for new FM community radio licences. The areas have been selected based on responses to Ofcom’s earlier call, last November, for individuals or groups to express their interest in applying for a community radio Read more +
Call for expressions of interest: Small-scale DAB
The Broadcasting (Radio Multiplex Services) Act 2017 (“2017 Act”) made provision for the licensing and regulation of small-scale radio multiplex services. Specifically, it allowed for the introduction of secondary legislation which would apply certain provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1996 and/or Communications Act 2003, with appropriate modifications, to small-scale radio Read more +
Ofcom awards two new community radio licences in England
Ofcom has announced the award of two new community radio licences in England. The new stations will serve communities in Manchester and Leicester. More than 250 community radio stations are currently on air. The two new community radio licences have been awarded to: Heritage Community Radio (British Muslim Heritage Centre) Location: Read more +
Ofcom awards two new community radio licences
Ofcom has announced the award of two new community radio licences in England. The new stations will serve communities in Manchester and Leicester. More than 250 community radio stations are currently on air. The two new community radio licences have been awarded to: Heritage Community Radio (British Muslim Heritage Centre) Read more +
Ofcom update on coverage improvements and extensions for community radio services and licensing process
Ofcom has published details of giving existing community radio licensees an opportunity to apply to improve or extend their current licensed coverage area. Following the statement on ‘Community Radio: future licensing and technical policy’ published on 28 April 2017, Ofcom is inviting applications for changes to the coverage of existing Read more +
Ofcom awards two new community radio licences
Ofcom has announced the award of two new community radio licences in England. The new stations will serve communities in Bradford and Hampshire. Community radio services are provided on a not-for-profit basis, focusing on the delivery of specific social benefits to a particular area or community of interest. More than Read more +
Ofcom awards eight new community radio licences
Ofcom has announced the award of eight new community radio licences in England and Scotland. The new stations will serve communities in Coventry, Leeds, Reading and Waterlooville in England; and Glasgow and Peterhead in Scotland. Community radio services are provided on a not-for-profit basis, focusing on the delivery of specific Read more +
Ofcom awards eight new community radio licences
Ofcom has announced the award of eight new community radio licences in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. The new stations will serve communities in Bristol, Maldon, and Newcastle and Gateshead, in England; Belfast in Northern Ireland; as well as Cumbernauld, and Musselburgh, Tranent and Wallyford in Scotland. Community radio services Read more +
Extension of 10 small-scale DAB radio trials
Ofcom has proposed to further extend the licences of the 10 trial small-scale DAB multiplexes. The trials, which started in 2015, have proven to be successful. There are currently around 150 community and small commercial radio services broadcasting digitally on the 10 trial multiplexes. By further extending the trials, these radio Read more +
Kennet Radio Goes Live On 106.7 FM
The wait is finally over. Kennet Community Radio launches on 106.7 MHz across Newbury and Thatcham on 10th March 2018. The Mayors of both Newbury and Thatcham have been invited to jointly launch the station on 10th March. Kennet Radio’s chairman, Julian Swift-Hook said, “It’s fantastic news. After more than five Read more +
Ofcom awards four new community radio licences
Ofcom has announced the award of four new community radio licences in England and Northern Ireland. The new stations will serve communities in Coleraine and Larne in Northern Ireland, and York in North Yorkshire. Community radio services are provided on a not-for-profit basis, focusing on the delivery of specific social Read more +
Ofcom awards six community radio licences
Ofcom recently announced the award of six new community radio licences in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The new stations will serve communities in Banbridge in County Down, Northern Ireland; Paisley in Renfrewshire, Scotland; Aberystwyth in Ceredigion, Wales; Burgess Hill in West Sussex; and South Dartmoor and Torbay in Read more +
Ofcom announces the award of seven new community radio licences in England and Scotland
Ofcom has announced the award of seven new community radio licences in England and Scotland. The new stations will serve communities in Blackburn in Lancashire, Caithness in Scotland, Great Driffield in East Riding, Leyland in Lancashire, Liverpool, Southport in Merseyside and Rawtenstall in the Rossendale Valley in East Lancashire. Licences Read more +
Ofcom awards nine new community radio licences
Ofcom has announced the award of nine new community radio licences in England and Wales. The new stations will serve communities in Cannock and Rugeley in Staffordshire, Cinderford in the Forest of Dean, Keynsham, Yeovil, and Minehead in Somerset, Swanage and Dorchester in Dorset, Newquay in Cornwall and the Rhondda Read more +
Application process for Short Term Restricted Service Licences (SRSLs) during May and June 2018
Ofcom has today outlined the application process for SRSLs to provide a radio service between 12 May and 16 June 2018 (inclusive). Ramadan falls within this period, and Ofcom expects to receive a large number of applications to run radio stations at this time. Due to the high demand for Read more +
36 Community Radio Licence Applicants from currently unserved areas
This is a list of applications received by the closing date (3pm on Thursday 27 July). The proposed service area for each station in the list below is taken from the application. Basingstoke Radio (Basingstoke, Hampshire) Website: www.basingstokebroadcastingcompany.co.uk Blackburn Youth Radio (Blackburn, Lancashire) Name: Brendan Ferguson Bounce FM (Banbridge, County Down) Read more +
Ofcom invites applications for community radio licences
Ofcom has today opened invitations for applications for new community radio licences for areas within, or those that overlap with, the coverage area of existing community radio services. These applications will be for services operating on FM only: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/104651/invitation-overlapping-areas.pdf The closing date for applications is Tuesday 24 October 2017 at 3pm.
Ofcom response – Community radio: future licensing and technical policy
Ofcom has published a statement following its review of community radio: future licensing and technical policy: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-2/cr-future-licensing Ofcom has been awarding community radio licences for more than a decade, and there are now nearly 250 stations on air in the UK. These stations are small, not-for-profit services which bring a Read more +
Expression of interest in applying for a community radio licence – deadline 22/12/16
Ofcom is considering whether and how to invite further applications for community radio licences.PDF online: http://bit.ly/2h78ncNInformation requiredIn order to assist our planning for future community radio development, Ofcom is inviting prospective applicants for a community radio licence to submit an ‘expression of interest’ outlining their intention to apply.An ‘expression of interest’ should include the Read more +
Ofcom invites applicants for community radio licences
From today Ofcom is inviting applications for community radio licences serving: London and other areas within the M25 motorway, broadcasting on either FM or AM (medium wave); and localities throughout the UK but excluding London and areas within the M25, broadcasting on AM (medium wave) only. Both documents include information for applicants Read more +
Five community radio licence awards in the south east of England
Ofcom has awarded five community radio licences in May 2016. The licences are for services in the south east England region (outside the M25). Ofcom has made a licence award to each of the following: Vectis Radio (Vectis Radio Limited) Newport, Isle of Wight Andover Radio (Andover Radio Limited), Andover, Read more +
News from West Wolds Radio – MP to Switch on New Radio Station in East Yorkshire
East Yorkshire MP Sir Greg Knight is to officially launch the newest radio station in the country. West Wolds Radio will go on the air on Sunday 29th November at 10.31am on 103.1FM and online from studios in Pocklington. The station, run by volunteers, will broadcast a daily mix of music, news, features, Read more +
Ofcom invites applications for community radio licences in South East England
Ofcom is inviting licence applications for community radio licences in South East England, excluding the area inside the M25. Community radio services are provided on a not-for-profit basis, focusing on the delivery of specific social benefits to a particular geographical community or a community of interest. Ofcom is making changes Read more +
