Ofcom has received a Format change request from Nation Radio Ltd, which holds an FM commercial radio licence for South Wales, with regard to its service 'Nation Radio'. Nation Radio Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Town & Country Broadcasting Ltd.
The station's Format describes the type of programme service which it is required to provide, and forms part of the station's licence.
Nation Radio Ltd wishes to change the 'Character of Service' of Nation Radio's published Format from one which requires the service to play predominantly modern rock music for 15-34 year-olds to one which requires the service to play rock-oriented music and to be male-focused (with no target age group specified).
A request for a Format change can be approved only if it satisfies at least one of the five criteria set out in section 106(1A) of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (as amended). The criteria are set out in full in Section 2 of this document.
We do not consider that Nation Radio's request meets criterion (a), that the departure would not substantially alter the character of service. As a result, we are required to consult on the request.
We are therefore seeking views on the request, having particular regard to the Format change criteria set out in the Broadcasting Act 1990.