Apply for a radio broadcast licence

TV, radio and on-demand Analogue radio Licence information
Published: 31 January 2023

Small-scale DAB is an innovative technology which provides a low-cost route for local commercial, community and specialist music services to broadcast on terrestrial digital radio to a relatively small geographical area.

A number of small-scale DAB multiplexes have been running on a trial basis over the past five years, but Ofcom is now advertising non-trial small-scale radio multiplex licences. Radio stations wishing to broadcast their service via a small-scale DAB multiplex need to apply at the appropriate time for either a Digital Sound Programme (’DSP’) licence or a new Community Digital Sound Programme (‘C-DSP’) licence.

Apply for a small-scale radio multiplex or digital sound programme service licence

Restricted services are radio services with small coverage areas that are used to broadcast at events, or within a particular establishment or other locations in the UK. Examples include:

  • dedicated radio services for religious observances such as Ramadan;
  • radio services for hospitals and universities;
  • drive-in movie soundtracks; and
  • commentary for events.

Apply for a restricted service licence

To be kept informed about community radio, including notification of when we invite applications as well as other broadcasting issues, sign up for our broadcasting email updates.

Community radio licensing process

Guidance and application materials

Community radio guidance (PDF, 511.1 KB)

Community radio sample licence (PDF, 507.8 KB)

Community radio with funding restrictions sample licence (PDF, 502.3 KB)

Community radio sample licence for those permitted a fixed revenue allowance (FRA) only from on-air advertising and sponsorship income (PDF, 280.0 KB)

Choosing a transmitter site for your community radio station (YouTube video - also available with Welsh subtitles)

10 years of community radio licensing: Advice for licence applicants (PDF, 138.9 KB)

Community radio: volunteer input (PDF, 251.8 KB)
Guidelines for community radio stations that wish to use volunteer time as part of station turnover.

Licence awards

Three community radio licence awards: July 2020 (PDF, 189.4 KB)

Six community radio licence awards: May 2020 (PDF, 176.7 KB)

Six community radio licence awards: March 2020 (PDF, 160.9 KB)Note: This statement has been revised to reflect the accurate coverage area for West Kent Radio.

Four community radio licence awards: February 2020 (PDF, 162.0 KB)

Four community radio licence awards: January 2020 (PDF, 162.8 KB)

Four community radio licence awards: December 2019 (PDF, 169.7 KB)

Rhoi pedwar trwydded radio cymunedol: Rhagfyr 2019 (PDF, 171.7 KB)

Two community radio licence awards: July 2018 (PDF, 160.4 KB)

Two community radio licence awards: May 2018 (PDF, 162.1 KB)

Eight community radio licence awards: April 2018 (PDF, 215.9 KB)
Note: This statement has been revised to include a condition which will apply to the Buchan Radio licence.

Eight community radio licence awards: March 2018 (PDF, 174.8 KB)

Four community radio licence awards: February 2018 (PDF, 521.1 KB)

Six community radio licence awards: January 2018 (PDF, 166.6 KB)

Seven community radio licence awards: December 2017 (PDF, 168.9 KB)

Nine community radio licence awards: October 2017 (PDF, 626.7 KB)

As existing commercial analogue radio licences approach their expiry date, our general approach is to issue a "pre-advertisement", inviting current or potential licensees to declare their intentions to apply. If more than one applicant declares an interest, we will issue a full re-advertisement of the licence and assess these according to our criteria. We will also advertise any licences that become available, for example if surrendered by the current licence holder.

Planned timetable for the re-advertisement of local analogue commercial radio licences 2019/20 and the advertisements, applications and awards

Pre-advertisements and re-advertisements

See current and recent commercial radio licence applications and awards .

Guidance

Local analogue commercial radio sample licence (Broadcasting Act) (PDF, 509.9 KB)

A more straightforward way of setting up a radio service is to start an internet/intranet radio station. We do not regulate online-only radio services, and so these stations do not require a licence from Ofcom.

However, to play any music on an online station, you will need the relevant licences from the music royalty collection agencies, PPL and PRS for Music. These organisations operate separately from Ofcom, and you will need to contact them directly to find out if there are any additional requirements and costs.

Following advertisement in December 2021, Ofcom awarded the Additional Services licence (PDF, 573.9 KB) to INRIX UK Ltd. This licence will end no later than 30 April 2031

Compliance checklist for radio broadcast content (PDF, 161.0 KB)

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