Ofcom's advice on your next step

Broadcast Radio -
Radio broadcasting licence

In addition to regulating their output, Ofcom is responsible for licensing all non-BBC radio services, of which there are essentially four types:

• National commercial services
• Local commercial services
• Community services
• Restricted services

There are various categories of radio licence. Some are available on demand, at the discretion of Ofcom; but others are only awarded following a competition (combined, in some cases, with a cash bid process).

When a licence is competed for, applicants are required (as part of the application process) to provide details of the programme service (or services, in the case of digital licences) that they are intend to broadcast if their application is successful. In the event that it is, these details are included within the licence. How detailed the description is depends upon the category of licence – but in all cases, it is a requirement that the successful applicant delivers the service(s) that it said it would at the time of application.

More details about the various types of licences that are available, and the process by which they are each awarded, can be found on our website.

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