What we do

The Authority licenses and regulates all commercial radio services. These comprise national, local, cable, satellite and restricted services, on both analogue and digital platforms. Restricted services include all short-term, freely radiating services (for example, 'special event' radio) and highly localised permanent services such as hospital and student radio.

The Authority is responsible for monitoring the obligations on its licensees required by the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996. The Authority has three main tasks: to plan frequencies; to appoint licensees with a view to broadening listener choice; and to regulate programming and advertising. It is required, after consultation, to publish Codes to which licensees must adhere. These cover programmes, advertising and sponsorship and engineering. There are also rules on ownership. The Authority can apply sanctions to licensees who break the rules. Sanctions include broadcast apologies and/or corrections, fines and the shortening or revocation of licences.

Licensees pay annual fees to the Authority and application fees are charged to applicants applying for licences. These fees are the Authority's only source of income and cover all its operating costs.

The Codes and other guidance notes are available to the public. (Click here)

CD-ROM - A multimedia exploration of the Radio Authority and its role
is available from the Press Office, tel. 020 7887 4294 to order your copy.

This CD-ROM explains the role and achievements of the Radio Authority, including:

Licence awards
Types of licences
Development
Regulation
Authority Members
Ownership
Restricted Service Licences
Frequency planning

		See also:
		• Biographies • Archive Publications • Factsheets

Revised: June 17, 2003