UKCRN urges response to Ofcom consultation and Government radio review
Community stations are being urged to feed into a joint response on licensing and radio reform.
The UK Community Radio Network is calling on stations, volunteers and listeners to complete a sector survey ahead of submissions to Ofcom and the DCMS.
Results from the survey will inform UKCRN’s response to Ofcom’s consultation on its proposed strategic approach to broadcast radio licensing, which will set regulatory priorities for the short to medium term.
The proposals have implications for community operators reliant on FM licences, analogue renewals and SSDAB access for digital carriage.
Alongside this, DCMS has launched a review into the future of radio as listening habits continue to change.
That review will consider whether there should be a managed transition away from FM in the 2030s and, if so, an appropriate timetable.
UKCRN says decisions taken this year will influence sustainability and spectrum access for community radio over the next decade and beyond.
The network argues that stations delivering local news, cultural representation and social value must be fully reflected in national policy decisions.
The survey is available here and runs until 28th March.
UKCRN plans to submit its sector response to Ofcom by 8th April and is encouraging individual responses directly to the regulator as well.