Ofcom Awards Ashford FM Licence To Kent Messenger
Ofcom has awarded the FM local commercial radio licence for Ashford in Kent to Local Ashford Radio Kent (Lark), partially owned by Kent Messenger, which will broadcast in the area as KM-FM Ashford.
In awarding the licence Ofcom stated that, as a ‘smaller’ licence serving a locality which is not the sole focus of any existing service, it was more likely to consider speech content to be of importance, rather than music proposals.
Ofcom also stated that the majority stake held in the business by the Kent Messenger group meant that Lark would benefit from a stable ownership structure and access to significant resources through a company which has a proven track record of investing in local radio in Kent.
In addition, the regulator said that Lark’s audience and revenue forecasts realistic and in line with the current performance of existing small stations in nearby areas, and elsewhere in the UK. Lark will also be able to maintain a relatively low cost base for its proposed service, sharing resources with neighbouring Kent Messenger stations and the Ashford offices of the Kentish Express newspaper.
Lark outlined its commitment to speech output in its proposals to Ofcom, pledging to broadcast two extended local news bulletins per weekday, as well as making a provision for local news bulletins on both weekend days. Ofcom stated that Lark’s proposals would increase and improve Ashford-specific news and information provision in the area.
Ofcom also felt that Lark’s music output would complement existing services in the area, with its provision of contemporary and classic hits “extending listener choice” by extending listener choice in the area beyond Invicta FM and Capital Gold. The watchdog also stated that the station’s music output would would appeal to a very broad audience.
Ofcom recently advertised an FM licence to cover the Solent area of Britain. The licence, serving a population of around 1.25 million adults, is the largest and most lucrative yet to be advertised by Ofcom, with bidders such as the Guardian Media Group and Kelvin MacKenzie’s Wireless Group already expressing an interest (see Ofcom Invites Bids For Solent FM Licence).
Kent Messenger Group: 01622 717880 www.kentonline.co.uk Ofcom: 020 7981 3040 www.ofcom.org.uk
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