Statement: Bauer Radio West Midlands & Shropshire stations - Requests to change Format

TV, radio and on-demand Analogue radio Consultations and statements

Published: 7 September 2018

Consultation closes: 5 October 2018

Status: Closed (statement published)

Statement published 1 November 2018

A commercial radio station’s Format describes the type of programme service which it is required to provide, and forms part of the station’s licence.

Following a public consultation, Ofcom has decided to permit Format Change Requests relating to three analogue commercial radio licences in the West Midlands and Shropshire which are ultimately owned by Bauer Radio Limited.

The changes which have been agreed are as follows:

West Midlands FM licence (currently Absolute Radio) – change from a ‘rock-orientated’ service to a ‘classic pop hits’ service, with a requirement for local production and content added.
Birmingham AM licence (currently Free Radio 80s) – change from a ‘classic pop hits’ service to a ‘classic rock’ service with existing local production and content requirements removed.
Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury & Telford AM licence (currently Free Radio 80s) - change from a ‘classic pop hits’ service to a ‘classic rock’ service with existing local production and content requirements removed.