Statement: local commercial radio licence renewals

The Media Act 2024 makes a number of changes to how the commercial radio sector is regulated. 

This includes a new route for renewal of local analogue commercial licences. Until now, renewal has only been available if the holder of the analogue licence is also broadcasting a digital radio service on a relevant DAB multiplex. However, following the passage of the Act, a licensee can now also apply for renewal if there is not a ‘suitable’ DAB multiplex available.

We ran a consultation from December 2024 to February 2025 setting out how we proposed to decide whether a multiplex is ‘suitable’. Our statement summarises the consultation responses and sets out details of the new renewal route and how we decide if a multiplex is “suitable”. 

We expect the vast majority of licence renewals will continue to be on the basis of DAB provision and we will grant renewals of licences under the New Renewal Route in limited circumstances where there is not ‘suitable’ multiplex. These circumstances are:

• No available multiplex: If there is no ‘relevant’ multiplex (local or small-scale) in relation to a particular local analogue licence. No ‘relevant’ multiplex also includes circumstances where there is no capacity on the multiplex relevant to the analogue service in question, and no other suitable multiplex is available.
• No suitable multiplex: a relevant DAB multiplex is available but its coverage area is substantially larger or smaller than the area the licensee covers on FM or AM. 

In determining whether a multiplex is ‘suitable’ our focus will be on the extent of any difference in coverage between the analogue service and the ‘relevant’ multiplex. The difference will need to be substantial before a licensee is able to benefit from the New Renewal Route.