Ofcom has received a Format change request from Radio Ceredigion Ltd ('RCL') in relation to Radio Ceredigion, which holds the local FM commercial radio licence for the Ceredigion area of west Wales.
RCL wishes to change the station's character of service in its published Format with regard to the provision of Welsh language material. In particular, it wishes to remove the requirement that the station's bilingual (speech) output should equate to "roughly half and half English and Welsh", and it also wishes to reduce the requirement for Welsh-language music tracks (during daytime hours) from 20% to 10% of music output.
A request for a Format change can be approved only if it satisfies at least one of the five criteria set out in section 106(1A) of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (as amended). The criteria are set out in full in Section 2 of this document.
We do not consider that RCL's request meets criterion (a), that the departure would not substantially alter the character of service. As a result, we are required to consult on the request.
We are therefore seeking views on the request, having particular regard to the Format change criteria set out in the 1990 Broadcasting Act.