Radio broadcast update – April 2023
A round-up of Ofcom’s broadcast radio licensing activity in April 2023.
Digital radio
Local/national DAB multiplex variations
The following multiplex variations were agreed during this period:
| Change | Multiplex |
|---|---|
| Removal of Radio XL, a simulcast of Ofcom licence number AL171: A music and information service for the Asian communities of the West Midlands in varied and appropriate languages. | Wolverhampton and Shropshire |
| Temporary addition of Virgin Radio Pride: A service that celebrates the LGBTQ+ communities across the UK playing predominantly pop-dance & pop-R&B music. | London 2, Central Scotland |
Radio multiplex licence renewals
The following radio multiplex licences have been granted a renewal during this period:
| Multiplex | Licensee | New expiry date |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | C.E. Digital Limited | 31 December 2030 |
| Manchester | C.E. Digital Limited | 31 December 2030 |
| London 1 | C.E. Digital Limited | 31 December 2030 |
| Glasgow | Bauer Digital Radio Limited | 31 December 2030 |
| South Yorkshire | Bauer Digital Radio Limited | 31 December 2030 |
| Tyne & Wear | Bauer Digital Radio Limited | 31 December 2030 |
| Liverpool | Bauer Digital Radio Limited | 31 December 2030 |
| Edinburgh | Bauer Digital Radio Limited | 31 December 2030 |
| Leeds | Bauer Digital Radio Limited | 31 December 2030 |
| Teesside | Bauer Digital Radio Limited | 31 December 2030 |
| Lancashire | Bauer Digital Radio Limited | 31 December 2030 |
| Humberside | Bauer Digital Radio Limited | 31 December 2030 |
| Stoke-on-Trent | Bauer Digital Radio Limited | 31 December 2030 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wolverhampton | Wolverhampton DAB Limited | Wolverhampton – Mander House | 01 April 2023 |
Digital sound programme service (DSP) and digital additional sound (DAS) licences issued during this period
| Licensee | Service name |
|---|---|
| African and Caribbean Business Ventures Ltd | Culture City Radio |
| Fiesta FM CIC | Fiesta FM |
Digital sound programme service (DSP) and Digital additional sound (DAS) licences which have ceased to be licensed (handed back or revoked) in this period
| Licensee | Service name |
|---|---|
| Joanne Schofield | Worthy FM |
Community digital sound programme service (C-DSP) applications received during this period
| Licensee | Service name | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Wolverhampton Community Radio Training Ltd | WCRFM | Wolverhampton |
| Aycliffe Radio CIC | Aycliffe Radio | Darlington & Bishop Auckland |
| All Arts & Media | All FM | Manchester |
Community digital sound programme service (C-DSP) licences issued during this period
| Licensee | Service name | Area |
|---|---|---|
| The Pakistan Muslim Centre (Sheffield) Limited | Link FM | Sheffield & Rotherham |
Analogue community radio
Licence extensions granted in this period
A five-year extension has been granted to the following:
| Service name | Licensee | Location | New expiry date |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Coast FM | East Coast FM (SCIO) | Haddington | 26 April 2028 |
| Radio Tyneside | Radio Tyneside | Newcastle upon Tyne | 1 July 2028 |
| Apple FM | Apple FM CIC | Taunton | 10 May 2028 |
| BFBS | BFBS Catterick Limited | Catterick | 10 March 2028 |
| Bradley Stoke Radio | Bradley Stoke Radio Limited | Bradley Stoke, South Gloucestershire | 11 September 2028 |
| Andover Radio | Andover Radio Limited | Andover | 4 April 2028 |
| AIR | Westfield Arts College | Weymouth | 10 May 2028 |
| Crystal FM | Penicuik Community Education Association | Penicuik | 30 November 2028 |
| BFBS Brize Norton | BFBS Brize Norton Limited | Chalfont St Peter | 31 July 2028 |
| BFBS Radio | Holywood FM Limited | Belfast | 4 March 2028 |
| Hot Radio | Dorset Community Radio LTD | Poole | 7 November 2028 |
| Flex FM | Flex FM Radio Limited | London Wandsworth | 17 June 2028 |
| Radio Hartlepool | Hartlepool Community Broadcasting Limited | Hartlepool | 13 October 2028 |
| Amber Sound FM | Amber Sound FM | Ripley | 3 October 2028 |
| Mid Sussex Radio | Mid Sussex Radio CIC | Burgess Hill | 14 October 2028 |
Key Commitments changes
Each station has as part of its licence some ‘Key Commitments’, which outline the essential nature of the service and any specific expectations of that service. Licensees can ask Ofcom to approve changes to a station’s Key Commitments. More information, including an application form, is available on our website.
Changes agreed in this period
K107FM (PDF, 280.1 KB)
Published 3 April 2023
Beat 103 (PDF, 214.4 KB)
Published 28 April 2023
Coverage improvement and extension requests
Coverage extensions received
In the last month, the services listed below have requested an extension to their licence area. The application(s) are published on the community 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 |
|---|---|
| Quality Radio | Paisley, Renfrewshire |
| Cinque Ports Radio | Romney Marsh |
Restricted service licences
Licences issued during in this period
| Licensee | Service name |
|---|---|
| Silverstone Circuits Ltd | Silverstone Radio |