A round-up of Ofcom’s broadcast radio licensing activity in June 2024.
Digital radio
Local/national DAB multiplex variations
The following multiplex variations were agreed in this period:
| Change | Multiplex |
|---|---|
| Addition of BritAsia Radio; Darbar Sahib Radio | Surrey |
|
Removal of Absolute Radio 70s; Planet Rock; LBC London News; Smooth Country Addition of Colourful Radio; Nation 80s. |
London 2 |
Radio multiplex licence renewals
The following radio multiplex licences have been granted a renewal during this period:
| Multiplex | Licensee | New expiry date |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | MuxCo Surrey and North Sussex Limited | 31 December 2030 |
| North Yorkshire | MuxCo North Yorkshire Limited | 31 December 2030 |
Grant of small-scale DAB multiplex licences
The following small-scale radio multiplex licences were granted during this period:
| Licence area | Licensee | Transmitters licenced | Date from |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Buckinghamshire | Bucks DAB Limited | Aylesbury - Council offices; Buckingham Garden Centre. |
12 June 2024 |
Digital sound programme service (DSP) and digital additional sound (DAS) licences issued during this period
| Licensee | Service Name | Licence Type |
|---|---|---|
| Endeavour Radio Ltd | 107 Endeavour FM | DSP |
| WW Media Group Ltd | Radio Wigwarm | DSP |
Digital sound programme service (DSP) and Digital additional sound (DAS) licences surrendered or revoked during this period
| Licensee | Service Name | Licence type | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantis Radio UK Ltd | Cyber Radio, Cyber Hot Hits, Cyber Rock, Boss Atlantis | DSP | Surrendered |
Community digital sound programme service (C-DSP) applications received during this period
| Licensee | Service Name | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital Radio Bedside | Dorset Coast Radio | Dorset |
| Newport City Radio CIC | Newport City Radio | Newport |
| Higher Rhythm Limited | Sine FM | Doncaster |
| Radio Forect CIO | Classic Hits Forest Radio | Harlow |
| Affinity MEdia NE CIC | Affinity Radio | Newcastle and Gateshead |
| Bolton Hindu Forum | BHF Radio | Bolton Bury |
Community digital sound programme service (C-DSP) licences issued during this period
| Licensee | Service Name | Area |
|---|---|---|
| York Hospital Radio | York Hospital Radio | York |
| The Eye FM Limited | 103 The Eye | Nottingham |
| Roch Valley Radio CIC | Roch Valley Radio | Roch Valley Radio CIC |
| Peterborough Community Radio Ltd | PCR FM | Peterborough |
| Leicester Community Enterprise Services CIC | Radio Utsav | Leicester |
Analogue community radio
Community Radio Fund - Round 1 2024/25
The first round of the Community Radio Fund 2024/25 opened for applications from eligible stations on Tuesday 21 May 2024 and closed at 5pm on Friday 14 June 2024. The awarding Panel will meet in July 2024 to consider the applications.
Grants can only be made to community radio licensees in the UK, who are broadcasting under a community radio licence (including those who hold a Community Digital Sound Programme (C-DSP) licence. Applications from eligible licence-holders may be submitted in Welsh. Any application submitted in Welsh will be treated no less favourably than an application submitted in English.
For further information, please contact Ofcom's Community Radio team at communityradiofund@ofcom.org.uk here.
Licence extensions granted in this period
A five year extension has been granted to the following:
| Service name | Licensee | Location | New expiry date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alive Radio | Alive Community Radio (SCIO) | Dumfries | 31 August 2029 |
| Bishop FM 105.9 | Prince Bishop Community Broadcasting Limited | South West Durham | 30 October 2029 |
| Legacy 90.1 | KensingtonVision Community Interest Company | Liverpool | 31 October 2029 |
| Jorvik Radio | Felixstowe Radio Community Interest Company | Felixstowe | 5 November 2029 |
| Retrocadio Ltd | Moorlands Radio C.I.C | Biddulph | 6 November 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 here.
Changes to Key Commitments agreed in this period:
The Cat
Published 03|06|24
Pride Radio
Published 03|06|24
Hot Radio
Published 03|06|24
1055 The Point
Published 07|06|24
Witney Radio
Published 07|06|24