Radio broadcast update July 2022
A round-up of radio broadcast licensing activity in July 2022.
Digital radio
Local/national DAB multiplex variations
The following multiplex variations were agreed during this period:
| Change | Multiplex |
|---|---|
Addition of Magic Musicals – The best of musical theatre plus theatre showbiz news and features. | Bradford & Huddersfield |
Removal of Angel Radio – A service for adults aged over 60. The service is specifically tailored towards the older generation, with nostalgic music and informative speech on wellbeing issues to inform, entertain and educate. | Channel Islands |
Small-scale DAB multiplex licence awards
The following small-scale radio multiplex licence awards were made during this period:
| Licence area | Successful applicant company |
|---|---|
Belfast and Lisburn | Lagan SSDAB Limited |
North Aberdeen | Station House Media Unit |
Nottingham | Nottingham DAB Limited |
Small-scale DAB multiplex licensing
Ofcom is today announcing that, at the request of GTFM (South Wales) Limited, we have cancelled the small-scale multiplex licence award (PDF, 86.6 KB) for Welsh Valleys. We plan to re-advertise a licence in due course with revisions to the advertised area.
Ofcom has also extended the duration of the trial small-scale DAB multiplex licence for Bristol (which previously expired on 26 August 2022) for a further eight weeks, to 21 October 2022.
Digital sound programme service (DSP) and digital additional sound (DAS) licences issued during this period
| Licensee | Service Name |
|---|---|
House Party Radio Ltd | House Party Radio |
Panacea Radio Limited | Panacea Jazz Funk |
Spice Entertainment Ltd | Sunrise Radio Gold |
Happy Radio UK Ltd | Happy Radio |
Community digital sound programme service (C-DSP) applications received during this period
| Licensee | Service Name |
|---|---|
| Vanny Radio-Community Broadcasters | Vanny Radio |
| Churnet Sound Radio CIC | Churnet Sound |
| Commedia Sheffield | Sheffield Live! |
Community digital sound programme service (C-DSP) licences issued during this period
| Licensee | Service Name |
|---|---|
| Kohinoor Media Ltd | Nishaan Radio |
| Home Counties Community Media CIC | Bedford Radio |
| Tyneside Community Digital Community Interest Company | Together Radio |
| First Ox Digital Ltd | Fox Digital |
| Awaz FM Ltd | Awaz FM |
| The Adelphe Community Outreach CIC | Heartsong Live |
Analogue commercial radio
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.
Sun FM (Darlington)
Published 29 July 2022
Analogue community radio
Community Radio Fund – Round 1, 2022-23
Ofcom’s Community Radio Fund Panel (‘the Panel’) met on Wednesday 13 July 2022 to consider applications in the first round of funding for the 2022-23 financial year.
The Panel considered each application and awarded funding based on the information provided, and with reference to the Community Radio Fund (‘the Fund’) guidance notes. For each grant bid the Panel decided whether to make a full award, a partial award or not to award any funding.
At the meeting:
- 47 applications for grants were considered;
- the total amount of funding requested in these applications was £757,370;
- 18 applicants were awarded grants which totalled £242,395; and
- 29 applicants were not awarded a grant.
The grants awarded ranged from £4,320 up to £18,955 for individual positions, with an average of £13,466.
Further information, including a summary of the awards made and a statement by the Panel on the factors which they considered, can be found here.
Licence extensions granted in this period
| Service Name | Licensee | Location | New expiry date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hayes FM | Hayes FM – Film & Media | Middlesex | 31 August 2027 |
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.
Changes to Key Commitments agreed in this period:
Link FM (Sheffield)
Published 22 July 2022
Restricted service licences to serve establishments or other defined locations
Licences transferred during this period
| Service Name | Previous Licensee | New Licensee |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital Radio Medway | James Devine | Colin Silk |
Licences which have ceased to be licensed in this period
| Licensee | Service Name | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Randal Jones | Kingstown Radio | Surrendered |