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 +
Posts Tagged: licensing
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
