Radio broadcast update January 2022
A round-up of radio broadcast licensing activity in January 2022.
Digital radio
Local/national DAB multiplex variations
The following multiplex variations were agreed during this period:
| Change | Multiplex |
|---|---|
| Addition of Shine 879 - A dance music radio station serving the local communities across the county of Essex. With an emphasis in the development and promotion of local musicians and artists. | Essex |
| Removal of BlitzKids Radio - A community focused station supporting local charities. Playing music from a range of cultures. | |
| Removal of Great Yorkshire Radio - A mix of music and information for North Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and beyond. | Lincolnshire |
| Removal of Trickstar Radio - Brighton's leading underground dance music station, featuring music-based shows from local DJs with talking. | South Hampshire |
| Addition of Full FM – A radio station playing music and news for the Polish community. | Surrey |
| Addition of Great British Radio - A station playing classic & contemporary music. | |
| Addition of Angel Vintage - Live and pre-recorded programming featuring nostalgic music, predominantly from the years 1900 – 1959, complimented by informative speech and reminiscence. | Bournemouth |
Digital sound programme service (DSP) and digital additional sound (DAS) licences issued during this period
| Licensee | Service name |
|---|---|
| Nostalgic Local Radio Ltd | Victory |
| Darlo Radio Media C.I.C | Alpha Radio |
DSP and DAS licences which have ceased to be licensed (handed back or revoked) in this period
| Licensee | Service name |
|---|---|
| CRB Audio Group Limited | The Breeze |
| CRB Audio Group Limited | Hits Radio |
| CRB Audio Group Limited | Fire Radio |
| CRB Audio Group Limited | Sam FM |
Community digital sound programme service (C-DSP) applications received during this period
| Licensee | Service name |
|---|---|
| South Norfolk Radio CIC | South Norfolk Radio |
Radio licensable content services (RLCS) which have ceased to be licensed in this period
| Licensee | Service name | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| The Panjabi Centre Ltd | Desi Radio | Surrendered |
Analogue commercial radio
Licence renewals granted in this period
A seven year renewal has been granted to the following:
| Area | Service name | Current Licensee |
|---|---|---|
| North and Mid Wales | Heart | Real Radio North Limited |
A ten year renewal has been granted to the following:
| Area | Service name | Current Licensee |
|---|---|---|
| Greater London | Lyca Radio 1458 | Lyca Media II Limited |
| National | talkSPORT | talkSPORT Limited |
Analogue community radio
Coverage improvement and extension requests
Ofcom has decided to make a small amendment to the way we process requests from analogue commercial and community radio licensees to extend the coverage of their licensed area.
Applications received for extension requests will be published on the Ofcom website. We will be publishing all non-confidential aspects of your application (confidential aspects will be redacted). This will include any letters of support for your application, details of transmission parameters and a copy of the application form. Ofcom would be grateful if applicants can give an indication as to which aspects of their applications they consider confidential in their cover email.
We intend to publish applications for community radio and commercial radio from the week commencing 14 February 2022.
Any applications which have already been submitted but have not yet received a decision will also be published for a period of one month before Ofcom will take a decision.
Ofcom will accept representations up to one month following the publication of the application. Please submit any representations you wish to make to broadcast.licensing@ofcom.org.uk
During the last month the services listed below have had their requests for a coverage improvement provisionally agreed, subject to the new technical arrangements going through our usual formal clearance process (this includes Ofcom liaising with a number of outside agencies before changes can be implemented). We have considered the following requests to constitute coverage improvements.
Please note:
The success of an application is, amongst other things, dependent on frequency availability and whether there may be an increase in harmful outgoing interference to other stations. In every case we need to take account of other services (community, commercial and BBC) on the same frequency or an adjacent one to yours (or to a frequency that we may be considering for a relay). Please see the guidance document (PDF, 325.1 KB) for further information.