Ofcom has opened an application window for SRSL applicants hoping to broadcast on any dates between Wednesday 30 March and Tuesday 3 May 2022 inclusive – of relevance for Ramadan 2022. The application window will remain open until 5pm on Friday 17 September 2021. Applicants should ensure they are familiar with the application Read more +
Posts Categorized: Policy
Even more digital radio stations to take to the airwaves
Innovative technology to bring over 500 hyper-local stations to the digital airwaves New services to launch in all four nations of the UK Further licences to be awarded later this year Thousands of listeners right across the UK are set to enjoy a richer and wider range of radio programming Read more +
CMA launches new ‘CRF Assistance’ service
The Community Media Association has launched CRF Assistance, a free service to help up to 15 CMA members apply to Ofcom’s Community Radio Fund (CRF). Drawing on 15 years of experience of being a CRF Panel member, CMA Treasurer Richard Hilton will initially offer at least an hour’s free one-to-one Read more +
Ofcom progresses the next phase of SSDAB licensing
More local listeners will be able to tune into new digital radio stations, as Ofcom continues its roll-out of small-scale DAB. Small-scale DAB is an innovative technology that provides a low-cost way for local commercial, community and specialist music services to take to the digital airwaves. Ofcom has: announced five Read more +
2021 / 2022 Community Radio Fund Survey
The Community Radio Fund, administered by Ofcom, typically offers two rounds of funding. The CMA would like to know if you would prefer the first round to be emergency funding, such as we had last year, or should the Fund return to its usual purpose to help develop and sustain Read more +
Ofcom awards first small-scale DAB multiplex licences
Ofcom has announced the first-ever awards of small-scale radio multiplex licences. Small-scale DAB is an innovative technology which provides a low-cost route for local commercial, community and specialist music stations to take to the airwaves. Last year, Ofcom set out how they would license small-scale DAB and invited applications for a first round of multiplex licences. Following Read more +
Fifty-three community radio stations to receive emergency funding
Ofcom has announced that 53 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 +
DCMS Community Radio Listener Survey
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), is conducting a review of the radio industry. They are very interested in learning more about who tunes in to community radio stations like yours, and about when and why they listen. We want as many of your listeners as possible 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 +
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 +
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 received for the 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 +
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 +
