Ofcom has received one declaration for the following licence, from the current licensee. We are therefore inviting the incumbent licensee to re-apply for the licence under the ‘fast track’ procedure as set out in Ofcom’s guidelines:
| Area (station) | Current licencee |
|---|---|
| Aylesbury (Mix 96) | Mix 96 Limited |
A seven year renewal has been granted to the following:
| Area (station) | Current licensee |
|---|---|
| Guernsey (Island FM) | Island FM Limited |
| Jersey (channel 103) | Channel Radio Limited |
A five year renewal has been granted to the following:
| Area (station) | Current licensee |
|---|---|
| Birmingham (Absolute Classic Rock) | Bauer Radio Limited |
| Birmingham (Free Radio) | Bauer Radio Limited |
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.
Nation Radio (South Wales) (PDF, 247.8 KB)
Published 28 February 2020
During the last month the service below had its request for an improvement to its existing coverage 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).
| Service | Licensed area | Change agreed |
|---|---|---|
| Lyca Dil Se | Greater London | Power increase |
Whenever a local radio licence undergoes a ‘change of control’ (for example when it is sold), Ofcom is required under section 355 of the Communications Act 2003 to undertake a review of its programme output.
Specifically, Ofcom must review the likely effect of the change of control on:
The quality and range of programmes included in the service;
The character of the service, and;
The extent to which local material and locally-made programmes are included in the service.
When the review has been completed, Ofcom may amend the content requirements of the licence.
Rother FM (Rotherham) (PDF, 201.6 KB)
Published 28 February 2020
| Licensee |
|---|
| Panda Podcast Limited |
| Radio Wirral (Peninsular Media) Limited |
| Release Radio Broadcasting Limited |
The following multiplex variations were agreed during this period:
| Change | Multiplex |
|---|---|
| Addition of Radio Wirral - A local radio station for the Wirral playing classic and contemporary hits with local news and information | NE Wales & West Cheshire |
| Addition of Podcast Radio - Podcast Radio is a speech radio station showcasing podcasts, interviews with podcasters, reviews of podcasts. | Surrey |
| Addition of Release FM - Underground dance music from the UK. | Surrey |
| Removal of Sunoh - A music service for the Asian community. | Central Scotland |
| Removal of Atlas Radio - Atlas is a community-based station that will be broadcasting a tailor-made service that large chains of radio stations cannot offer to communities in specific areas. Atlas will be bringing its listeners the latest hits from all genres of music including pop, R&B and indie. As well as keeping listeners entertaining by playing contemporary tunes, Atlas Radio will also be keeping people up to date with local news, weather and travel. | Herford & Worcester |
| Removal of Atlantis - A 1960s centric music service. | Lincolnshire Suffolk |
Ofcom has announced, and published the reasons for, the award of four community radio licences:
| Service name | Company | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Radio Melksham | Radio Melksham Limited | Melksham, Wiltshire |
| Radio Wimborne | Radio Wimborne Limited | Wimborne Minster, East Dorset |
| Sam Radio | SAM Radio Limited | Edinburgh |
| Thornbury Radio | Thornbury Media CIC | Thornbury, Gloucestershire |
The full statement can be viewed on our website.
| Service name | Company | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Blackburn's 102.2FM | Blackburn Community Radio Limited | Blackburn |
A five year extension has been granted to the following:
| Service name | Licensee | Location | New expiry date |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Cat | The Cat Community Radio C.I.C | Cheshire | 13 February 2025 |
| Meridian FM 107 | Meridian FM Radio | East Grinstead | 28 February 2025 |
| Lincoln City Radio | Lindum Radio Broadcasting Company CIC | Lincoln | 24 April 2025 |
Ofcom has approved the transfer of the following community radio licence.
| Service name | Location | New licensee |
|---|---|---|
| Alive Radio | Dumfries | Alive Community Radio (SCIO) |
| Service name | Licensee | Location | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betar Bangla | Betar Bangla Limited | East London (AM) | Licence surrendered |
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 http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/radio/community/regulations/crregulation/
Changes to Key Commitments agreed in this period:
Blast 106 (Belfast) (PDF, 221.1 KB)
Published 28 February 2020
