Radio broadcast update – October 2023

Cyhoeddwyd: 3 Tachwedd 2023

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

Digital radio

Local DAB multiplex variations

The following multiplex variations were agreed during this period:

ChangeMultiplex

Addition of Jazz FM

London 1
Removal of Scala Radio
Removal of Radio ExePlymouth
Addition of Absolute CountryInverness, North & West Cumbria
Removal of The LoungeKent

Small-scale DAB: revocation of multiplex licence award

Ofcom has taken the decision to revoke the licence award we made on 12 May 2022 to Wigan & St Helens Community Media CIC in relation to the Wigan small-scale radio multiplex service. Full details can be found in our statement.

Grant of small-scale DAB multiplex licences

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

Licence areaLicenseeTransmitters licensedDate from
Glossop and BuxtonHigh Peak One Digital Limited

Buxton; Chapel-en-le-Frith; Glossop; Whaley Bridge.

02 October 2023
Cheshire (Mid)Cheshire Radio LimitedNorthwich12 October 2023
LiverpoolLiverpool DAB Limited

Liverpool – Reservoir Road;

Liverpool – St. Johns Beacon.

18 October 2023
Bolton & BuryBolton Bury DAB Radio LimitedBolton; Bury23 October 2023
Blackburn, Burnley and DarwenBBD Digital LimitedAccrington; Blackburn; Burnley.

24 October 2023

Middlesbrough and RedcarErimux LimitedMiddlesbrough; Redcar27 October 2023

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

LicenseeService name
Richard WilkinsonBeat 106 Scotland
Eye Media Broadcasting Group LtdWild Country
Sound People LtdTogether Radio
Vale of Glamorgan Broadcasting CICBro Radio Christmas

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

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

Digital sound programme service (DSP) and Digital additional sound (DAS) licences which have ceased to be licensed (handed back, rescinded or revoked) in this period

LicenseeService name
Baikal Radio LimitedBaikal Radio
Creative Broadcast UK LtdRathergood Radio
Disco Mix Club LtdUnited DJ Radio

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

LicenseeService nameArea
North Manchester FM CICNorth Manchester FMManchester
Radio Warrington CICRadio WarringtonWarrington, Widnes & Runcorn
Ashdown Radio LimitedAshdown RadioHaywards Heath & Uckfield
Forth Valley RadioForth Valley RadioStirling & Falkirk
Churnet Sound Radio CICChurnet SoundStoke & Newcastle-under-Lyme
Kol Radio LimitedKol RadioNorth London
Wythenshawe Community MediaWythenshawe FM 97.2Stockport
Ocean City Radio CICOcean City RadioPlymouth
Crescent Community Radio LimitedCrescent RadioRochdale & Oldham
Rookwood Sound Hospital BroadcastingRookwood Sound RadioCardiff
Bolton FM CICBolton FMBolton & Bury

Community digital sound programme service (C-DSP) which have ceased to be licensed in this period

LicenseeService nameReason
Sab Rang Radio Bradford LimitedSabrang Radio BradfordSurrender

Analogue commercial radio

Licence renewals granted in this period

A ten year renewal has been granted to the following:

AreaService nameCurrent Licensee
Swindon/West WiltshireHeartWiltshire Radio Limited
Greater LondonGoldGlobal Radio Limited

A seven year renewal has been granted to the following:

AreaService nameCurrent Licensee
West MidlandsSmooth RadioSmooth Radio West Midlands Limited
ColchesterHeartEssex Radio Limited

Local radio licence transfers

Ofcom has approved the transfer of the following local commercial licences:

AreaService namePrevious LicenseeNew Licensee
Oxford /South OxfordshireJack FMJack Media Oxfordshire LimitedBauer Media Audio Ltd
OxfordJack 2Jack Media Oxfordshire LimitedBauer Media Audio Ltd

Coverage improvement and extension requests

During the last month the services listed below have requested an extension to their licence area. The application(s) are published on the commercial radio page of our website. Ofcom will accept representations up to one month following publication before we make a formal decision. Representations can be sent to broadcast.licensing@ofcom.org.uk

Service nameLocation
Q RadioNewry & The Mournes

Analogue community radio

Licences issued in this period

Service NameLicenseeLocation
Listen LanarkshireGetting Better Together LtdShotts

Licence extensions granted in this period

A five year extension has been granted to the following:

Service nameLicenseeLocationNew expiry date
Beat RadioPreston Community Radio 23Preston5 October 2028
Gaydio (Brighton)Gaydio Brighton LimitedBrighton and Hove15 October 2028
Canalside Radio 102.8 FMCanalside Community Radio LimitedBollington - Macclesfield3 December 2028
Drive 105 FMDrive 105 (Community Radio) LtdLondonderry26 January 2029
Paisley FMQuality Radio Enterprise LtdPaisley1 March 2029

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 may request changes to a station’s Key Commitments. Information about the process, as well as an application form, are on our website.

Changes to Key Commitments agreed in this period:

Cumbernauld FM (PDF, 301.0 KB)
Published 5 October 2023

Restricted service licences

2024 period of high demand

We have conducted draws for Bradford and Leicester and published the results in the RSL section of our website.

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