Radio broadcast update – August 2023

Published: 7 September 2023

A round-up of Ofcom’s broadcast radio licensing activity in August 2023.

Digital radio

Local/national DAB multiplex variations

The following multiplex variations were agreed during this period:

ChangeMultiplex
Removal of Great British Radio – Celebrating British voices, thoughts, lives and music.
Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Buckinghamshire
Addition of Amber Radio – A community-based music station with news and information about and of interest to the Greater Norwich area, targeting an adult audience of 35- to 65-year-olds.

Norfolk
Addition of Boom Radio – Music and chat for UK Baby Boomers.Channel Islands
Addition of Fun Kids – A service aimed at children and their families.Surrey, Sussex, North Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, NE Wales & West Cheshire, Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Gloucestershire
Removal of Greatest Hits UK – A classic hits service aimed primarily at the over 40's.Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Kent, Northern Ireland
Addition of Greatest Hits Radio Northamptonshire – A classic hits service aimed primarily at the over 40s in the Northants area.
Addition of Greatest Hits Radio Oxfordshire –  A classic hits service aimed primarily at the over 40s in the Oxon area.
Addition of Greatest Hits Radio Kent – A classic hits service aimed primarily at the over 40s in the Kent area.
Addition of Greatest Hits Radio Northern Ireland – A classic hits service aimed primarily at the over 40s in Northern Ireland.

Radio multiplex licence renewals

The following radio multiplex licences have been granted a renewal during this period:

MultiplexLicenseeNew expiry date
InvernessBauer Digital Radio Limited31 December 2030
Tayside

Bauer Digital Radio Limited

31 December 2030
Northern IrelandBauer Digital Radio Limited31 December 2030

Grant of small-scale DAB multiplex licences

The following small-scale radio multiplex licences were granted during this period:

Licence areaLicenseeTransmitters licensedDate from
Warrington, Widnes & RuncornWarrington, Widnes & Runcorn DAB LimitedWarrington – Fairclough Mill; Runcorn – St. Mary’s Church.17 August 2023
StockportStockport Community SSDAB LimitedStockport – Ratcliffe Towers; Stockport – Werneth Low.29 August 2023
PrestonPreston DAB LimitedPreston – Sandown Court; Chorley – Whitehouse Farm.31 August 2023

Digital sound programme service (DSP) and digital additional sound (DAS) licences issued during this period

LicenseeService name
Diverse FM Community Media and Training LtdDiverse FM
BAM HQ LtdHalo Radio
Lymm Community Radio CICCheshire’s Mix 56
Sanity Radio LtdSanity Radio

Digital sound programme service (DSP) and digital additional sound (DAS) licences transferred during this period

Service namePrevious LicenseeNew licensee
Gorgeous FMGorgeous Media Network LimitedGorgeous Community Radio CIC

Community digital sound programme service (C-DSP) applications received during this period

LicenseeService nameArea
Ocean City Radio CICOcean City RadioPlymouth
Oldham Community Broadcasting LimitedOldham Community RadioOldham & Rochdale
Crescent Community Radio LtdCrescent RadioOldham & Rochdale
Rookwood Sound Hospital BroadcastingRookwood Sound RadioCardiff
Horizon Radio LimitedHorizon RadioMilton Keynes

Community digital sound programme service (C-DSP) licences issued during this period

LicenseeService nameArea
British Muslim Heritage CentreHeritage RadioManchester

Analogue commercial radio

Licence renewals granted in this period

A ten-year renewal has been granted to the following:

AreaService nameCurrent licensee
LeicesterSabras RadioSabras Sound Limited

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.

Channel 103 (PDF, 159.4 KB)
Published 4 August 2023

Analogue community radio

Licence extensions granted in this period

A ten-year renewal has been granted to the following:

Service nameLicenseeLocationNew expiry date
Fiesta FM CICFiesta FMSouthampton11 September 2028
West Somerset Community Radio C.I.CWest Somerset RadioMinehead14 October 2028
Radio Saltire SCIORadio SaltireEast Lothian3 November 2028
104.7 Rossendale RadioRossendale Radio LtdRossendale23 November 2028
South Lincolnshire Blind SocietyGravity FMGrantham30 November 2028

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 can request changes to a station’s Key Commitments.

Changes to Key Commitments agreed in this period:

Meridian FM (PDF, 267.5 KB)
Published 3 August 2023

Calon FM (PDF, 261.3 KB)
Published 3 August 2023

Coverage improvement and extension requests

During the last month the services listed below have had their requests for a coverage improvement 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). We have considered the following requests to constitute coverage improvements.

Coverage improvements agreed:

Service nameLocation
Quality RadioPaisley, Renfrewshire
BFBS BlandfordBlandford Camp, Dorset
Back to top