THE RADIO AUTHORITY'S FUTURE LICENSING PLANS

The Radio Authority publishes a 'working list' of areas in which it intends to advertise new local radio licences over the course of the period ahead. This list is updated and revised on a regular basis, with new areas added as those on the list are advertised. To assist prospective applicants with their preparations, the Authority aims to give advance notice of the intended advertisement date of each licence. However, it is sometimes not possible to provide detailed guidance about the expected coverage until the licence is actually advertised, once frequency planning has been completed and the necessary clearances sought.

An applicant may only apply for a local licence once it has been advertised. The inclusion of an area on the 'working list' depends on a number of factors: the availability of a suitable broadcast frequency; evidence of interest from well-prepared applicants with access to sufficient resources to sustain a financially viable service over a full eight-year term; and local support for the establishment of such a service.

If the area in which a prospective applicant is interested in applying for a licence is not included on the Authority's working list, the applicant should submit a 'Letter of Intent' (guidance note available on request) to the Authority's Head of Development. A 'Letter of Intent' assists the Authority with its forward planning. The information helps the Authority to assess the pattern of demand from prospective applicants.

The Radio Authority's current working list can be viewed by clicking here.

Information Note

The Radio Authority is responsible for licensing and regulating Independent Radio in accordance with the statutory requirements of the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996. It plans frequencies; appoints licensees with a view to broadening listener choice; enforces the ownership rules; and regulates programming and advertising. It is funded solely by the licence fees paid to it by each of its licensees and by application fees.

February 1998

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Revised: December 20, 2001 .