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 +
Posts Categorized: Radio Industry
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 +
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 +
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 +
Information for broadcasters ahead of planned European Parliamentary elections
Ofcom has published a note to broadcasters on election programming, and an updated digest of evidence of past and current electoral support, to assist broadcasters in making editorial decisions ahead of potential European Parliamentary elections on 23 May. The evidence includes past election results and the latest opinion polls.
Community Radio Fund 2019-20
The first round of the Community Radio Fund 2019-20 opens for applications from eligible stations on 9 April and will close at 5pm on 7 May 2019. The awarding Panel will meet in June 2019 to consider the applications. Grants can only be made to community radio licensees in the 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 +
Radio Academy Trustee Elections 2019 – Voting now open
The Radio Academy is seeking three members to join its Board of Trustees. Following a month’s application process, the Radio Academy is happy to showcase everyone who has provided their details to fill one of these roles. All Radio Academy members have three unique votes that they may use to Read more +
Community Media Association elects new Chair and Vice Chair
Following the December Annual General Meeting of the Community Media Association (CMA) and the first meeting of its newly elected Council on Saturday, the CMA has elected Danny Lawrence of Gateway 97.8 as the new Chair and Janey Gordon of the University of Bedfordshire as Vice Chair. Danny Lawrence said 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 Media News – November 2018, Issue #20
In this edition, we bring you details of the Community Media Association’s AGM on Saturday 8th December, share the CMA’s response to the Radiocentre’s report: on small-scale radio, ask for your views to progress the development of small-scale DAB Licensing. We have news of this year’s Charles Parker Prize, we 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 +
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 +
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 +
DEC Indonesia Tsunami Appeal
On Friday 28th September an earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale rocked the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, triggering a terrifying tsunami that reached 18 feet in height and left a trail of destruction in its wake. Tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed and entire communities have been 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 +
Shortlist announced for 2018 Community Radio Awards
The shortlist for the 2018 Community Radio Awards has been announced with the final recipients to be announced next month at the Awards event in Sheffield on Saturday 15th September. The Awards event follows the 2018 Community Media Conference. Tickets for both events are still available to buy here: https://communitymediaassociation.nutickets.com/51222 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 +
