Radio broadcast update – October 2023
A round-up of Ofcom’s broadcast radio licensing activity in October 2023.
Digital radio
Local DAB multiplex variations
The following multiplex variations were agreed during this period:
| Change | Multiplex |
|---|---|
Addition of Jazz FM | London 1 |
| Removal of Scala Radio | |
| Removal of Radio Exe | Plymouth |
| Addition of Absolute Country | Inverness, North & West Cumbria |
| Removal of The Lounge | Kent |
Small-scale DAB: revocation of multiplex licence award
Ofcom has taken the decision to revoke the licence award we made on 12 May 2022 to Wigan & St Helens Community Media CIC in relation to the Wigan small-scale radio multiplex service. Full details can be found in our statement.
Grant of small-scale DAB multiplex licences
The following small-scale radio multiplex licences were granted during this period:
| Licence area | Licensee | Transmitters licensed | Date from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glossop and Buxton | High Peak One Digital Limited | Buxton; Chapel-en-le-Frith; Glossop; Whaley Bridge. | 02 October 2023 |
| Cheshire (Mid) | Cheshire Radio Limited | Northwich | 12 October 2023 |
| Liverpool | Liverpool DAB Limited | Liverpool – Reservoir Road; Liverpool – St. Johns Beacon. | 18 October 2023 |
| Bolton & Bury | Bolton Bury DAB Radio Limited | Bolton; Bury | 23 October 2023 |
| Blackburn, Burnley and Darwen | BBD Digital Limited | Accrington; Blackburn; Burnley. | 24 October 2023 |
| Middlesbrough and Redcar | Erimux Limited | Middlesbrough; Redcar | 27 October 2023 |
Digital sound programme service (DSP) and digital additional sound (DAS) licences issued during this period
| Licensee | Service name |
|---|---|
| Richard Wilkinson | Beat 106 Scotland |
| Eye Media Broadcasting Group Ltd | Wild Country |
| Sound People Ltd | Together Radio |
| Vale of Glamorgan Broadcasting CIC | Bro Radio Christmas |
Digital sound programme service (DSP) and Digital additional sound (DAS) licences transferred during in this period
| Service name | Previous licensee | New licensee |
|---|---|---|
| Gorgeous FM | Gorgeous Media Network Limited | Gorgeous Community Radio CIC |
Digital sound programme service (DSP) and Digital additional sound (DAS) licences which have ceased to be licensed (handed back, rescinded or revoked) in this period
| Licensee | Service name |
|---|---|
| Baikal Radio Limited | Baikal Radio |
| Creative Broadcast UK Ltd | Rathergood Radio |
| Disco Mix Club Ltd | United DJ Radio |
Community digital sound programme service (C-DSP) licences issued during this period
| Licensee | Service name | Area |
|---|---|---|
| North Manchester FM CIC | North Manchester FM | Manchester |
| Radio Warrington CIC | Radio Warrington | Warrington, Widnes & Runcorn |
| Ashdown Radio Limited | Ashdown Radio | Haywards Heath & Uckfield |
| Forth Valley Radio | Forth Valley Radio | Stirling & Falkirk |
| Churnet Sound Radio CIC | Churnet Sound | Stoke & Newcastle-under-Lyme |
| Kol Radio Limited | Kol Radio | North London |
| Wythenshawe Community Media | Wythenshawe FM 97.2 | Stockport |
| Ocean City Radio CIC | Ocean City Radio | Plymouth |
| Crescent Community Radio Limited | Crescent Radio | Rochdale & Oldham |
| Rookwood Sound Hospital Broadcasting | Rookwood Sound Radio | Cardiff |
| Bolton FM CIC | Bolton FM | Bolton & Bury |
Community digital sound programme service (C-DSP) which have ceased to be licensed in this period
| Licensee | Service name | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Sab Rang Radio Bradford Limited | Sabrang Radio Bradford | Surrender |
Analogue commercial radio
Licence renewals granted in this period
A ten year renewal has been granted to the following:
| Area | Service name | Current Licensee |
|---|---|---|
| Swindon/West Wiltshire | Heart | Wiltshire Radio Limited |
| Greater London | Gold | Global Radio Limited |
A seven year renewal has been granted to the following:
| Area | Service name | Current Licensee |
|---|---|---|
| West Midlands | Smooth Radio | Smooth Radio West Midlands Limited |
| Colchester | Heart | Essex Radio Limited |
Local radio licence transfers
Ofcom has approved the transfer of the following local commercial licences:
| Area | Service name | Previous Licensee | New Licensee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford /South Oxfordshire | Jack FM | Jack Media Oxfordshire Limited | Bauer Media Audio Ltd |
| Oxford | Jack 2 | Jack Media Oxfordshire Limited | Bauer Media Audio Ltd |
Coverage improvement and extension requests
During the last month the services listed below have requested an extension to their licence area. The application(s) are published on the commercial radio page of our website. Ofcom will accept representations up to one month following publication before we make a formal decision. Representations can be sent to broadcast.licensing@ofcom.org.uk
| Service name | Location |
|---|---|
| Q Radio | Newry & The Mournes |
Analogue community radio
Licences issued in this period
| Service Name | Licensee | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Listen Lanarkshire | Getting Better Together Ltd | Shotts |
Licence extensions granted in this period
A five year extension has been granted to the following:
| Service name | Licensee | Location | New expiry date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beat Radio | Preston Community Radio 23 | Preston | 5 October 2028 |
| Gaydio (Brighton) | Gaydio Brighton Limited | Brighton and Hove | 15 October 2028 |
| Canalside Radio 102.8 FM | Canalside Community Radio Limited | Bollington - Macclesfield | 3 December 2028 |
| Drive 105 FM | Drive 105 (Community Radio) Ltd | Londonderry | 26 January 2029 |
| Paisley FM | Quality Radio Enterprise Ltd | Paisley | 1 March 2029 |
Key Commitments changes
Each station has as part of its licence, ‘Key Commitments’ which outline what the essential nature of the service is and details any specific expectations of that service. Licensees may request changes to a station’s Key Commitments. Information about the process, as well as an application form, are on our website.
Changes to Key Commitments agreed in this period:
Cumbernauld FM (PDF, 301.0 KB)
Published 5 October 2023
Restricted service licences
2024 period of high demand
We have conducted draws for Bradford and Leicester and published the results in the RSL section of our website.