Commercial radio licence application and awards - Ofcom

Details of open and recent licence awards for Ofcom-licensed radio stations, on both digital and analogue platforms.

Apply for a radio broadcast licence

Find out which licences are currently under advertisement, and download application forms and guidance.

As existing commercial analogue radio licences approach their expiry date, our general approach is to issue a "pre-advertisement", inviting current or potential licensees to declare their intentions to apply. If more than one applicant declares an interest, we will issue a full re-advertisement of the licence and assess these according to our criteria. We will also advertise any licences that become available, for example if surrendered by the current licence holder.

Planned timetable for the re-advertisement of local analogue commercial radio licences: 2019/20

Pre-advertisements

Isle of Wight: Pre-advertisement of local analogue commercial radio licence (PDF, 180.2 KB)

Stockport: Pre-advertisement of local analogue commercial radio licence (PDF, 179.9 KB)

North London: Pre-advertisement of local analogue commercial radio licence (PDF, 181.8 KB)

Rugby: Pre-advertisement of local analogue commercial radio licence (PDF, 193.1 KB)

Mid Ulster: Pre-advertisement of local analogue commercial radio licence (PDF, 205.4 KB)

Warminster: Pre-advertisement of local analogue commercial radio licence (PDF, 165.4 KB)

Perth: Pre-advertisement of local analogue commercial radio licence (PDF, 164.9 KB)

Weymouth and Dorchester: Pre-advertisement of local analogue commercial radio licence (PDF, 167.3 KB)

Dumbarton: Pre-advertisement of local analogue commercial radio licence (PDF, 162.4 KB)

Warwick: Pre-advertisement of local analogue commercial radio licence (PDF, 163.0 KB)

Southend: Pre-advertisement of local analogue commercial radio licence (PDF, 162.4 KB)

Hertford: Pre-advertisement of local analogue commercial radio licence (PDF, 559.6 KB)

Alton and Haselmere: Pre-advertisement of local analogue commercial radio licence (PDF, 150.1 KB)

Omagh and Enniskillen: Pre-advertisement of local analogue commercial radio licence (PDF, 178.5 KB)

Aylesbury: Pre-advertisement of local analogue commercial radio licence (PDF, 182.4 KB)

Local radio multiplex licences

FM local commercial radio licences

Older material can be accessed at the National Archives.

See also...

Small-scale multiplex applications and awards
02 March 2021

A list of any small-scale radio multiplex licence application which has been submitted to Ofcom.
Apply for a radio broadcast licence
Licensing advertisements and application forms for broadcast radio licences.
Radio broadcast licences
The licensing process for UK radio stations and details of current licensees.
Apply for a TV broadcast licence
Information on applying for a TV broadcast license including, Digital TV Programme Service/Digital TV Additional Service (DTPS/DTAS), Television Licensable Content Services (TLCS) , Local TV (L-DTPS), Restricted services for an event (RTSL-E)

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