Radio Authority re-awards local licence for Dumfries & Galloway

100/03

12 September 2003

Radio Authority re-awards local licence for Dumfries & Galloway

The Radio Authority announced today (12 September) that, after considering the proposals submitted by the two applicants, it is re-awarding the Independent Local Radio licence on the FM waveband for the Dumfries & Galloway area, in South-West Scotland, to the existing licence holder:

SOUTH WEST SOUND LTD. - Unit 40, Loreburne Shopping Centre, Dumfries, DG1 2BD (contact: Sheena Borthwick, 01292 283662); adult contemporary and chart music, local, national and international news, local sport and information.

The new licence will run for a period of eight years (to be amended to twelve years under the Communications Act 2003) from 1 January 2005.

The Authority will shortly be publishing its assessment of South West Sound's application.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. 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.

2. At the end of this year, the Radio Authority will cease to exist, and its responsibilities for licensing and regulating Independent Radio will pass to Ofcom, the new converged regulator for the communications sector. See the Ofcom transitional website at www.ofcom.org.uk for more details.

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