Ofcom Plans To Roll Out Raft Of New Radio Licences

Ofcom has launched a major programme of licensing new FM radio stations across the UK, in a move that could benefit a number of key cities over the next few years.

Places that could get new commercial stations under the initiative put forward by the recently established communications regulator, range from Cornwall and Durham to Belfast Bristol and Aberdeen.

Ofcom also looking at the possibility of offering four new large regional licences, or a larger number of small licences in four parts of the UK. These include the North East of England, South Wales, South-West England and South Hampshire/Bournemouth.

The regulator is now looking for comments from the radio industry and from potential new operators on what the balance between large and smaller stations should be and the timing of the licence programme.

Most of the opportunities had already been identified by the Radio Authority, which handed over responsibility to Ofcom at the end of last year. They include a total of 35 new FM stations with two potential licences in Bournemouth and Stoke-on-Trent (see Raft Of New FM Radio Licences Proposed).

Ofcom is also understood to have promised to introduce a simpler, clearer process for licence applicants. A timetable for new licences would be issued a year in advance, with applicants being given more information and an analysis of the relevant market at the time when the licence was actually offered.

The Radio Authority began advertising new licences for the development of independent radio in January 1991. Since then it has awarded three national licences to Virgin, talkSPORT and Classic FM and 156 new local radio licences. There is currently a total of 263 radio stations operating in the UK.

Ofcom: 020 7981 3000 www.ofcom.gov.uk

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