Radio broadcast update March 2021
Restricted Service Licensing
Limited Coverage Trial
Ofcom has published details of a planned technical trial. This is for very limited coverage use for restricted service licences (RSLs).
Analogue Commercial Radio
Licence ‘pre-advertisements’
Ofcom has today invited declarations of intent to apply for the following FM local commercial radio licence. Please click on the ‘area’ in the first column for further detail on the pre-advertisements:
Area/current Licensee (station) | Current expiry | Proposed expiry date following re-award | Closing date for declarations of intent |
---|---|---|---|
Sunderland (PDF, 180.1 KB) | 31 December 2021 | 31 December 2033 | 3pm on 28 April 2021 |
Licence renewals granted in this period
A seven year renewal has been granted to the following:
Area (station) | Current Licensee |
---|---|
Plymouth (Greatest Hits Radio) | Bauer Media Audio Ltd |
A five year renewal has been granted to the following:
Area (station) | Current Licensee |
---|---|
Chelsmford (Radio Essex) | Radio Essex Ltd |
Caernarfon (Capital) | Marcher Radio Group Ltd |
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.
Greatest Hits Radio (Oldham) (PDF, 222.3 KB)
Published 01|04|21
Digital Radio
Small-scale DAB: addendum to multiplex guidance notes
Ofcom has today published an addendum to Ofcom’s guidance notes for small-scale radio multiplex applicants and licensees on ensuring the integrity of the award process following receipt of applications (PDF, 86.0 KB).
Small-scale DAB: latest multiplex awards
The following small-scale radio multiplex licence awards were announced by Ofcom on 31 March:
- Cambridge (PDF, 122.4 KB)
- Inverclyde (PDF, 116.6 KB)
- Sheffield & Rotherham (PDF, 127.3 KB)
- Winchester (PDF, 119.2 KB)
Community digital sound programme (C-DSP) licence applications received
Community digital sound programme licence applications received between 24 February and 30 March 2021 can be found on our website. Applications have been made for services in Bradford.
C-DSP licences issued during in this period
Licensee | Multiplex |
---|---|
Radio Asian Fever CIC | Leeds |
River Media Broadcast Group Limited | Derry/Londonderry |
Radio Rangoli CIC | Leeds |
Mighty Radio Ltd | Leeds |
Paisley FM (2017) Limited | Glasgow |
BFBS Salisbury Plain Limited | Salisbury |
Digital sound programme service (DSPS) licences issued during this period
Licensee |
---|
Double Stack Media Limited |
Gateway Community Media CIC |
The Hits Club Radio LTD |
DAB multiplex variations
The following multiplex variations were agreed during this period:
Change | Multiplex |
---|---|
Addition of Boom Radio – Music and conversation aimed at those aged 60 to 75. | Sound Digital (national) |
Addition of Trickstar Radio – Brighton's leading underground dance music station, featuring music-based shows from local DJs with talking. | South Hampshire |
Removal of Radio Wirral – A local radio station for the Wirral playing classic and contemporary hits with local news and information | North East Wales & West Cheshire |
Addition of Kerrang! – A service devoted to playing rock music with attitude. The station will appeal to 15 – 34 year olds and include news and information relevant to the target audience. | Stoke-on-Trent |
Addition of THC Radio – Music radio, with talk shows, interviews, local news, weather updates, community-based information. | London 2 |
Analogue Community Radio
Licences issued in this period
Service name | Licensee | Location |
---|---|---|
Groove City | GROOVE CITY RADIO LIMITED | Glasgow |
GLOW RADIO | Rush FM Limited | Farnborough |
Licence extensions granted in this period
A five year extension has been granted to the following:
Service name | Licensee | Location | New expiry date |
---|---|---|---|
Ribble FM | Ribble FM C.I.C | Ribble | 24/07/2026 |
BFBS Edinburgh | BFBS Edinburgh Limited | Edinburgh South | 13/08/2026 |
Endeavour FM | Endeavour Radio Limited | Boston | 21/08/2026 |
Crescent Radio | Crescent Community Radio Ltd | Rochdale | 16/09/2026 |
Radio Ikhlas | Radio Ikhlas Limited | Derby | 22/09/2026 |
Bradford Asian Radio | Bradford Asian Radio Limited Company | Bradford | 30/11/2026 |
Phoenix FM | Phoenix FM Limited | Brentwood | 22/03/2027 |
Voice FM | Voice FM Limited | Southampton | 21/08/2026 |
Your FM | 107.8FM Limited | Stockport | 12/09/2026 |
Fever FM | Radio Asian Fever CIC | Leeds (Harehills & Chapelton) | 28/02/2027 |
Angel Radio Isle of Wight | Angel Radio Isle of Wight Limited | Isle of Wight | 23/03/2027 |
Diverse FM | Diverse FM Community Media & Training Ltd | Luton | 28/03/2027 |