A round-up of Ofcom’s broadcast radio licensing activity in May 2024.
Digital radio
Local/national DAB multiplex variations
The following multiplex variations were agreed in this period:
| Change | Multiplex |
|---|---|
| Removal of Colorful Radio Removal of Absolute Rock Addition of LBC London News |
London 3 |
| Temporary addition of Virgin Pride (1 June - 31 August 2024). | London 2 Central Scotland |
| Addition of Coast Radio | Aberdeen |
| Addition of Capital Taylor's Version | SDL National 2 |
| Removal of Capital XTRA Reloaded Addition of Smooth Country |
London 1 |
Radio multiplex licence renewals
The following radio multiplex licences have been granted a renewal during this period:
| Multiplex | Licensee | New expiry date |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | Switchdigital (Scotland) Limited | 31 December 2030 |
| Central Scotland | Switchdigital (Scotland) Limited | 31 December 2030 |
Digital sound programme service (DSP) and digital additional sound (DAS) licences issued during this period
| Licensee | Service Name |
|---|---|
| Oldskool Jamz Ltd | Old Skool jamz radio |
Digital sound programme service (DSP) and Digital additional sound (DAS) licences which have ceased to be licensed (handed back or revoked) in this period
| Licensee | Service Name |
|---|---|
| Sound Wave Radio Ltd | Street Sounds Radio |
Community digital sound programme service (C-DSP) applications received during this period
| Licensee | Service Name | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Sid Valley Radio Ltd | Sid Valley Radio | East Devon |
Community digital sound programme service (C-DSP) licences issued during this period
| Licensee | Service Name | Area |
|---|---|---|
| University of York Students' Union | University Radio York | York |
| BFBS | BFBS Lisburn | Belfast |
Analogue commercial radio
Coverage improvement and extension requests
During the last month the service below had its request for an improvement to its existing coverage 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).
| Service Name | Licensed area | Changed agreed |
|---|---|---|
| Greatest Hits | Bassetlaw | Power increase |
Analogue community radio
Licence extensions granted in this period
A five year extension has been granted to the following:
| Service name | Licensee | Location | New expiry date |
|---|---|---|---|
| MônFM | Menter Môn Cyf | Llangefni | 11 July 2029 |
| Heritage Radio | British Muslim Heritage Centre | Manchester South | 27 September 2029 |
| Legacy 90.1 | Legacy 90.1 CIC | Hulme | 30 September 2029 |
| BFBS Shorncliffe | BFBS Shorncliffe Limited | Shorncliffe Camp | 20 October 2029 |
| Jorvik Radio | Jorvik Radio Limited | York | 3 November 2029 |
| Retrocadio Ltd | Cinque Ports Radio | Romney Marsh | 8 March 2030 |
Licence transfers in this period
| Service Name | Location | Previous Licensee | New Licensee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andover Radio | Andover | Andover Radio Limited | Andover Radio Mono |
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 here.
Changes to Key Commitments agreed in this period:
EAVAFM (Leicester) (PDF, 173.54 KB)Published 08|05|24
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 extensions received:
| Service name | Location |
|---|---|
| Coast and Country | Scarborough Town and Whitby |