Statement: Licensing Priorities for Broadcast Radio

Statement published: 14 September 2026

In February 2026, we consulted on our proposals for Ofcom's licensing priorities for broadcast radio for the short to medium term as the rollout of the Small-Scale Digital Audio Broadcasting (SSDAB) licensing programme came to a close. The proposals aimed to make the best use of finite spectrum resources and deliver the greatest benefit to UK audiences, particularly those currently underserved.

What we have decided – in brief

Following the consideration of stakeholder responses, we have decided to broadly confirm the priorities we set out at consultation and confirm a new Expression of Interest process for potential new analogue community radio licences. We have said we will support ongoing licensing programmes which are already being undertaken and continue to provide ongoing support for incumbent licensed services. We will also:  

Analogue radio

• Proceed to consider a new round of FM community radio licensing.
• Complete a formal Call for Expressions of Interest process (see below) to gauge demand for prospective analogue (FM and, exceptionally, AM) community radio services.
• Continue to process analogue licence renewals, extensions and technical change requests.
• In the case of commercial radio, we have decided not to offer new analogue commercial radio licence opportunities in the short to medium term.

DAB and digital radio

• Continue licensing new SSDAB multiplexes in unserved areas, while prioritising coverage improvement and extension requests from existing SSDAB licensees.
• Adopt a more flexible approach, where appropriate, to applying the SSDAB ‘40% ceiling’.
• Not prioritise further local DAB multiplex licensing in the short to medium term.

Alongside this Statement, we have also published a Call for Expressions of Interest for organisations that may wish to apply for an FM community radio licence, or, in exceptional circumstances, an AM community radio licence.

Next steps

We will begin implementing the decisions set out in this Statement, using Expressions of Interest for new analogue community radio licences to inform our licensing priorities alongside the other priorities identified.