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 Categorized: Policy
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 +
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 +
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 +
Complaints Procedure
Community Media Association Complaints Procedure The Community Media Association aims to provide high quality services for its members. We believe that we achieve this most of the time with limited resources: if we are not getting it right please let us know. In order to ensure our services remain at 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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
The Small-scale Radio Multiplex and Community Digital Radio Order 2019
The draft statutory instrument and explanatory memorandum for The Small-scale Radio Multiplex and Community Digital Radio Order 2019 have now been published online at the following link: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2019/9780111187784/contents The DCMS Parliamentary team has fast-tracked proceedings and the Small-scale Radio Multiplex and Community Digital Radio Order 2019 has been laid in 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 +
Ofcom Receives 35 Community Radio Applications
Ofcom has received 35 applications for community radio licences from 43 areas of the UK which had submitted an expression of interest. Applications for new stations have been received from 26 proposed stations for England, one in Northern Ireland, three for Scotland, and five in Wales. Below is a list 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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
Advice for Community Radio Fund Applicants
Ofcom has published guidance to help stations which intend to apply for Community Radio Fund grants. The guidance sets out the information that the awarding panel is likely to look for when considering grant applications. The second round of the Community Radio Fund 2018-19 opened for applications from eligible stations 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 Consultation: Localness on commercial radio
Ofcom seeks views on a number of proposed changes to the localness guidelines for local commercial radio stations. The current guidelines were last substantially revised in 2010, and in light of the ongoing pace of change in the media sector, Ofcom has reviewed the current guidelines. This has included some Read more +
The Community Media Conference 2018
The Community Media Conference 2018 presented by the Community Media Association (CMA) will be taking place on Saturday 15th September at The Workstation in Sheffield, a leading business centre for creative talent and innovation. Book your tickets now. This year’s Community Media Conference provides access to a still growing, vibrant and energetic broadcast Read more +
