Access Radio Pilot Scheme

In 2002, fifteen groups were selected by the Radio Authority to take part in the Access Radio pilot scheme, running during 2002/2003. The aim of the project is to inform the future regulator - Ofcom (Office of Communications) - whether 'Access Radio', a new tier of not-for-profit radio, is a viable concept and, if it is to be introduced in the future, how it might be licensed, regulated, funded, promoted and organised.

In March 2003, a full evaluation of the project New Voices by Anthony Everitt, an independent evaluator, was published (Link below).

In September 2003 Ofcom announced that it had decided to extend the period of the pilot scheme for, what it now refers to as, 'Community Radio', for a further year, until 31 December 2004. To view the full Ofcom announcement click here to go to Ofcom's transitional website www.ofcom.org.uk

Access Radio stations currently on-air - view here

Evaluation & Reports:

• Final Evaluation: New Voices - An Evaluation of 15 Access Radio Projects by Anthony Everitt
(March 2003)
• An Interim Evaluation of 15 Access Radio Projects by Anthony Everitt (October 2002)

• Access Radio Seminar 12 February 2001 - A Report

Please use the links below for further information: •

• New Voices on Access Radio (44/03)

• Radio Authority welcomes extension to Access Radio Pilot Scheme (157/02)

• Shine FM launches in Banbridge, County Down, as part of Access Radio Pilot Scheme (116/02)

• Radio Authority announces launch of three new Access Radio stations (100/02)

• ALL FM launches in Manchester inner-city as part of Access Radio Pilot Scheme (72/02)

• Three further Access Radio Stations launch in London & Manchester (56/02)

• Two new Access Radio Stations launch in Pontypridd & Glasgow respectively (50/02)

• Radio Fiza launches in Nottingham as part of Access Radio Pilot Scheme (40/02)

• Experimental children's radio service launches in Leicester as part of Access Radio Pilot Scheme (37/02)

• First three radio stations in Access Radio Pilot scheme go on-air (23/02)

• Access Radio Submission to DCMS/DTI (February 2001)

• Anthony Everitt appointed Evaluator for Access Radio Pilot Scheme (166/01)

• F ifteen Groups invited to apply for Access Radio Pilot Scheme (108/01)

• Radio Authority Licences: Access Radio Pilot Scheme: Letters of Intent

• Access Radio Pilot Scheme Radio Authority invites letters of intent to apply (67/01, 24 May 2001)

• Radio Authority's Chief Executive sets out the next steps for Access Radio (38/01)

• Radio Authority confirms proposals for Access Radio (28/01)

• Access Radio Seminar on 12 February - great debate on third tier of radio services (17/01)

• Access Radio Transmitter Location Map

		See also:
		• Speeches