Radio Authority Renews Local Licences for Plymouth

117/03

19 November 2003

Radio Authority Renews Local Licences for Plymouth

The Radio Authority has today (19 November) announced that it is renewing the local licences on the FM and AM wavebands for the Plymouth area. The FM licence is held by Plymouth Sound Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary of the GWR Group plc), broadcasting as 97 FM Plymouth Sound, and the AM licence by Classic Gold Digital Ltd., broadcasting as Classic Gold 1152 AM. Both licences will be renewed to run for a further licence period of twelve years, with effect from 1 January 2004. This is due to the fact that the existing licence holders will be the providers of digital programme services on the Plymouth part of the Plymouth/Cornwall local multiplex.

Under the terms of the Broadcasting Act 1996, a local radio licence holder is entitled to apply for an automatic renewal of its licence, if it is providing (or is committed to provide) a programme service on a 'relevant' digital radio multiplex. The Authority regards a 'relevant' multiplex as one which provides digital coverage of at least 25% of the population already covered by the analogue licence in question. The condition of these renewed local licences will require Plymouth Sound and Classic Gold Digital to do all that they can to ensure the continued provision of the digital services.

Contact:
Press enquiries:
Tel: 020 7887 4292
Public enquiries:
Tel: 020 7887 4290