Radio Authority advertises new local licence for Glasgow

45/03

20 March 2003

Radio Authority advertises new local licence for Glasgow

The Radio Authority is today (20 March) advertising a new Independent Local Radio (ILR) licence on the FM waveband for the city of Glasgow and surrounding parts of west Central Scotland. This new station is expected to cover a similar area to that which is served by the existing Glasgow FM service, Clyde 1, containing an adult population of around 1.7 million.

When the Authority comes to assess the applications it receives, it will be taking into consideration applicants' proposals to cater for the tastes and interests of listeners in this area, and to broaden the range of audience choice in relation to existing ILR services which are available. The Authority would therefore welcome public comments and opinions about the local radio needs of the area, which should be sent to the Radio Authority's Director of Development, at Holbrook House, 14 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5DG.

The licence will be for a period of eight years from the date the station comes on air. Anyone interested in applying for the licence should contact the Director of Development at the above address and ask for an application form. Applicants will be sent detailed notes of guidance to help them fill in the form. The closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday, 1 July, 2003. A non-refundable application fee of £12,000 will be payable.

The Authority expects to decide and announce who has been granted the licence in the late Autumn. It will then be up to the successful applicant to get the radio station up and running as quickly as possible.

This is expected to be the last new local radio licence to be awarded by the Radio Authority, prior to its replacement by Ofcom as the body responsible for radio licensing, at the end of this year.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS

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, awards licences, regulates programming and advertising, and plays an active role in the discussion and formulation of policies which affect the Independent Radio industry and its listeners. The 1996 Broadcasting Act laid the framework for the introduction of digital radio.

Contact:
Press enquiries:
Tel: 020 7887 4292 / 020 7887 4290
Out of hours tel: 07770 375283
Public enquiries:
Tel: 020 7887 4294