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Introduction

1.1 Under the Communications Act 2003 Independent National Radio operators (Classic FM owned by GCap Media plc, talkSPORT owned by UTV plc and Virgin Radio owned by SMG plc) can apply for a four year extension period to their existing national radio licence. The licensees applied for this extension in April 2006.

1.2 Section 253 of the Communications Act 2003 requires Ofcom to determine revised financial terms for the Independent National Radio licences where they have applied for an extension. The terms determined by Ofcom for this purpose are detailed in Section 3 of this document.

1.3 The licensees have until 4 August 2006 to inform Ofcom that they wish to accept the terms. If accepted by the licensees, the revised terms will apply during the extended licence period as follows;

• Classic FM - From 1 October 2007 - 30 September 2011
• Virgin Radio - From 1 May 2008 – 30 April 2012
• talkSPORT - From 1 January 2009 - 31 December 2012

1.4 The payments due in respect of these licences are collected by Ofcom and paid to the Consolidated Fund of HM Treasury.

The full document is available below:

• Independent National Radio licence extensions – Review of financial terms [pdf]
  Full Print Version

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