Radio broadcast update – August 2023
A round-up of Ofcom’s broadcast radio licensing activity in August 2023.
Digital radio
Local/national DAB multiplex variations
The following multiplex variations were agreed during this period:
| Change | Multiplex |
|---|---|
Removal of Great British Radio – Celebrating British voices, thoughts, lives and music. | Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Buckinghamshire |
| Addition of Amber Radio – A community-based music station with news and information about and of interest to the Greater Norwich area, targeting an adult audience of 35- to 65-year-olds.
| Norfolk |
| Addition of Boom Radio – Music and chat for UK Baby Boomers. | Channel Islands |
| Addition of Fun Kids – A service aimed at children and their families. | Surrey, Sussex, North Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, NE Wales & West Cheshire, Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Gloucestershire |
| Removal of Greatest Hits UK – A classic hits service aimed primarily at the over 40's. | Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Kent, Northern Ireland |
| Addition of Greatest Hits Radio Northamptonshire – A classic hits service aimed primarily at the over 40s in the Northants area. | |
| Addition of Greatest Hits Radio Oxfordshire – A classic hits service aimed primarily at the over 40s in the Oxon area. | |
| Addition of Greatest Hits Radio Kent – A classic hits service aimed primarily at the over 40s in the Kent area. | |
| Addition of Greatest Hits Radio Northern Ireland – A classic hits service aimed primarily at the over 40s in Northern Ireland. |
Radio multiplex licence renewals
The following radio multiplex licences have been granted a renewal during this period:
| Multiplex | Licensee | New expiry date |
|---|---|---|
| Inverness | Bauer Digital Radio Limited | 31 December 2030 |
| Tayside | Bauer Digital Radio Limited | 31 December 2030 |
| Northern Ireland | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warrington, Widnes & Runcorn | Warrington, Widnes & Runcorn DAB Limited | Warrington – Fairclough Mill; Runcorn – St. Mary’s Church. | 17 August 2023 |
| Stockport | Stockport Community SSDAB Limited | Stockport – Ratcliffe Towers; Stockport – Werneth Low. | 29 August 2023 |
| Preston | Preston DAB Limited | Preston – Sandown Court; Chorley – Whitehouse Farm. | 31 August 2023 |
Digital sound programme service (DSP) and digital additional sound (DAS) licences issued during this period
| Licensee | Service name |
|---|---|
| Diverse FM Community Media and Training Ltd | Diverse FM |
| BAM HQ Ltd | Halo Radio |
| Lymm Community Radio CIC | Cheshire’s Mix 56 |
| Sanity Radio Ltd | Sanity Radio |
Digital sound programme service (DSP) and digital additional sound (DAS) licences transferred during this period
| Service name | Previous Licensee | New licensee |
|---|---|---|
| Gorgeous FM | Gorgeous Media Network Limited | Gorgeous Community Radio CIC |
Community digital sound programme service (C-DSP) applications received during this period
| Licensee | Service name | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean City Radio CIC | Ocean City Radio | Plymouth |
| Oldham Community Broadcasting Limited | Oldham Community Radio | Oldham & Rochdale |
| Crescent Community Radio Ltd | Crescent Radio | Oldham & Rochdale |
| Rookwood Sound Hospital Broadcasting | Rookwood Sound Radio | Cardiff |
| Horizon Radio Limited | Horizon Radio | Milton Keynes |
Community digital sound programme service (C-DSP) licences issued during this period
| Licensee | Service name | Area |
|---|---|---|
| British Muslim Heritage Centre | Heritage Radio | Manchester |
Analogue commercial radio
Licence renewals granted in this period
A ten-year renewal has been granted to the following:
| Area | Service name | Current licensee |
|---|---|---|
| Leicester | Sabras Radio | Sabras Sound Limited |
Analogue station Format changes
Each station has as part of its licence, a ‘Format’ which outlines what the essential nature of the service is and details any specific expectations of that service. Any changes to a Format can only be made by following the correct procedure and with the appropriate permission from Ofcom.
Channel 103 (PDF, 159.4 KB)
Published 4 August 2023
Analogue community radio
Licence extensions granted in this period
A ten-year renewal has been granted to the following:
| Service name | Licensee | Location | New expiry date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiesta FM CIC | Fiesta FM | Southampton | 11 September 2028 |
| West Somerset Community Radio C.I.C | West Somerset Radio | Minehead | 14 October 2028 |
| Radio Saltire SCIO | Radio Saltire | East Lothian | 3 November 2028 |
| 104.7 Rossendale Radio | Rossendale Radio Ltd | Rossendale | 23 November 2028 |
| South Lincolnshire Blind Society | Gravity FM | Grantham | 30 November 2028 |
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 can request changes to a station’s Key Commitments.
Changes to Key Commitments agreed in this period:
Meridian FM (PDF, 267.5 KB)
Published 3 August 2023
Calon FM (PDF, 261.3 KB)
Published 3 August 2023
Coverage improvement and extension requests
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.
Coverage improvements agreed:
| Service name | Location |
|---|---|
| Quality Radio | Paisley, Renfrewshire |
| BFBS Blandford | Blandford Camp, Dorset |