Ofcom Advertises New FM Commercial Radio Licence

Media super-regulator Ofcom is advertising for a new FM commercial radio licence for the Kidderminster area in the West Midlands, as part an ongoing initiative to launch up to thirty new stations throughout the UK over the next few years.

Radio companies have been invited to pitch for the licence, which is estimated to achieve a coverage area of around 100,000 people. Applications have also recently been invited for FM licences in Kent and Edinburgh, an area which is expected to attract fierce competition.

Earlier this week GWR unveiled plans to bid for the Edinburgh licence with a classic and contemporary rock-music format called 107 FM The Rock. The concept for the station was conceived after a series of public meetings and a 1,000 person survey.

A number of other high-profile broadcasters are also thought to be vying for the licence. Virgin Radio is pinning its hopes on a version of its existing Virgin Radio Classic Rock station, Chrysalis Radio will extend The Arrow to the area and Guardian Media Group is looking to expand its Smooth FM brand (see GWR Prepares To Rock Edinburgh With Licence Bid).

The new licences are the first of more than thirty to be advertised by Ofcom as part of an ongoing initiative to provide services to a number of key cities. The media regulator will advertise the licences for one non-metropolitan area each month and a licence for a metropolitan or regional area every two or three months (see Ofcom Finally Lifts Lid On New Local Radio Licences).

Ofcom: 020 7981 3040 www.ofcom.org.uk

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