Ofcom Puts Edinburgh Radio Licence Up For Tender
Media regulator Ofcom has begun its roll out of new regional radio licences with the advertising of a commercial FM licence to cover the city of Edinburgh and the area surrounding the Firth of Forth.
The new licence covers an area roughly the same as that of existing Edinburgh service, Forth One, containing an adult population of around 940,000. The area is also serviced by Forth 2, Beat 106 and Real Radio in addition to national services.
Also being advertised by the regulator is a licence covering Blackburn and the surrounding area, including the population centres of Darwen, Accrington, Clayton-le-Moors, and Great Harwood. The regulator estimates this licence, covering a much smaller area, could reach around 150,000 adults.
Both licences will be issued for a twelve year period and are sure to attract attention from the UK’s major radio players. Emap has already begun expanding their digital brands into FM broadcasts, with Kerrang 105.2 representing the company’s latest foray into local radio. The station has also been trialled in Manchester with Emap stating it wishes to expand its so-called ‘hero brands’ (see Emap Sets Launch Date For Kerrang’s FM Debut).
Earlier this month Ofcom announced that legislation had been placed before the Government to approve the creation of new several community radio stations, despite strong opposition from a number of established commercial broadcasters.
The media regulator states that the new stations will enable minority groups to launch low scale operations to serve their local community. However, many broadcasters claim the new stations will cannibalise their listenership and reduce advertising revenue (see Community Radio Edges Closer Despite Opposition).Ofcom: 020 7981 3040 www.ofcom.org.uk
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