Radio broadcast update – November 2023
A round-up of Ofcom’s broadcast radio licensing activity in November 2023.
Digital Radio
Local/national DAB multiplex variations
The following multiplex variations were agreed during this period:
| Change | Multiplex |
|---|---|
| Removal of Boom Radio | London 3 |
| Removal of Angel Vintage | Surrey and North Sussex |
Small-scale DAB: revocation of multiplex licence award
Ofcom has taken the decision to revoke the licence award we made on 03 November 2022 to Wetherby and Harrogate Local DAB Limited in relation to the Wetherby and Harrogate small-scale radio multiplex service. Full details can be found in our statement (PDF, 91.6 KB).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheshire (East) | Cheshire East DAB Limited | Sutton Common; Wythenshawe. | 01 November 2023 |
| Stirling and Falkirk | Central FM Limited | Earls Hill; Stirling. | 01 November 2023 |
| Oldham and Rochdale | East Manchester DAB Limited | Oldham – Hathershaw; Oldham – Rountree House; Rochdale. | 07 November 2023 |
| Plymouth | PlymDAB Limited | Plymouth – Marine Academy; Plymouth – Staddon Heights | 08 Novembner 2023 |
| Torbay | TorDAB Limited | Bishopsteignton; Bovey Tracey; Torquay. | 09 November 2023 |
| Wrexham | Wrexham DAB Limited | Wrexham | 11 November 2023 |
Small-scale DAB multiplex licence transfers
Ofcom has approved the transfer of the following small-scale radio multiplex licences:
| Multiplex | Previous Licensee | New Licensee |
|---|---|---|
| Basingstoke | UK DAB Networks (Operations) Limited | Basingstoke DAB Limited |
| Winchester | UK DAB Networks (Operations) Limited | Winchester DAB Limited |
Digital sound programme service (DSP) and digital additional sound (DAS) licences issued during this period
| Licensee | Service name |
|---|---|
| James Richards | Palm Torbay |
| Radio Lisburn Live | Radio Lisburn Live CIC |
| RBN Entertainment Ltd | Radio Bangla London |
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programme service (DSP) and Digital additional sound (DAS) licences which have ceased to be licensed (handed back, rescinded or revoked) in this period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 |
|---|---|
| All Oldies Radio HBB Limited | All Oldies Radio |
| MAX RADIO UK BROADCASTING LIMITED | MAX |
| Peak Radio Limited | Peak Radio |
| Quartz5Star Ltd | Max Radio (The Max) |
| Real Life Radio Limited | Real Life Radio North East |
Community digital sound programme service (C-DSP) applications received during this period
| Licensee | Service name | Area |
|---|---|---|
| In2beats | In2beats | Bedford |
| BritAsia Foundation CIC | Darbar Sahib Radio | North Birmingham |
| Blackpool Council | Blackpool Together Radio | Blackpool |
| Belfast FM Limited | Belfast 89 | Belfast |
| Prince Bishop Community Broadcasting Limited | Bishop FM | Darlington and Bishop Auckland |
| Premier Radio CIC | Wrexham Premier Radio | Wrexham |
Community digital sound programme service (C-DSP) licences issued during this period
| Licensee | Service name | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Potteries Media CIC | 6 Towns Radio | Stoke & Newcastle-under-Lyme |
| Horizon Radio Limited | Horizon Radio | Milton Keynes |
| Oldham Community Broadcasting Limited | Oldham Community Radio | Oldham |
Analogue Community Radio
Community Radio Fund – Round 2, 2023-2024
The second round of the Community Radio Fund 2023-24 opened for applications from eligible stations on 1 December 2023 and will close at 5pm on 4 January 2024. The awarding Panel will meet in February 2024 to consider the applications.
Grants can only be made to community radio licensees in the UK, who are broadcasting under a community radio licence. Applications from eligible licence-holders may be submitted in Welsh. Any application submitted in Welsh will be treated no less favourably than an application submitted in English.
For further information, please contact Ofcom's Community Radio team at communityradiofund@ofcom.org.uk here
Licence extensions granted in this period
A five year extension has been granted to the following:
| Service name | Licensee | Location | New expiry date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunshine | Sunshine 1049 Ltd | East Belfast | 9 January 2029 |
| Somer Valley FM | Somer Valley Community Radio Limited | Midsomer Norton | 11 January 2029 |
| The Voice | The Voice (North Devon) CIC | Barnstaple, Bideford & Ilfracombe | 17 January 2029 |
| Radio Leyland | Leyland Community Radio Ltd | Leyland | 20 March 2029 |
Analogue community radio licences which have ceased to be licensed in this period
| Service name | Licensee | Location | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Flash | The Flash On Air Limited | Waterlooville | Surrender |
Analogue community radio licence awards which have been handed back this period
| Service name | Licensee | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Radio Melksham | Radio Melksham Limited | Melksham |
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 here https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your-licence/radio-broadcast-licensing/amend
Changes to Key Commitments agreed in this period:
Radio Scarborough (PDF, 201.4 KB)
Published 02|11|23
Winchester Radio (PDF, 214.6 KB)
Published 03|11|23
Published 13|11|23
Radio West Suffolk (PDF, 224.4 KB)
Published 14|11|23
Published 17|11|23
Published 21|11|23
This month we also opened a consultation on a Key Commitment change request from Community Voice FM, a community radio station based in Middlesbrough. Please see our website to respond to the consultation.
Restricted Service Licences
Licences issued during in this period
| Licensee | Service name |
|---|---|
| BFBS Shorncliffe Ltd | BFBS Gurkha Radio (Holywood, Northern Ireland) |