Radio

Community Radio

Ofcom is pleased to announce that it has decided to extend the period of the pilot scheme for Community Radio for a further year, until 31 December 2004. Licence extensions will be subject to frequency availability and to Ofcom being satisfied that the licensees have the ability to continue and are delivering on the promises set out in their licences.

In May 2001 the Radio Authority announced that it was setting up a pilot study on Access Radio (now known as Community Radio). The Authority selected fifteen groups around the UK to take part, and the first service commenced broadcasting on 28 February 2002. The services were initially licensed for a year, and subsequently extended until 31 December 2003.

The pilot study helped inform the debate on the future licensing of such services while the Communications Act was before Parliament. There are thirteen groups currently involved in the experiment (operating fourteen stations; one group in Manchester operates two ’sister’ services).

The licensing of Community Radio will be a new responsibility for Ofcom when the relevant powers are vested in Ofcom under the Communications Act 2003. The Act allows the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to introduce Community Radio by Order. This is currently being drafted. It is expected that DCMS will carry out a public consultation on the draft Order later this year.

Connate Entries

• April 17, 2007 -- Ofcom consults on future of radio regulation and licensing
• June 14, 2006 -- The next community radio licensing round
• September 7, 2004 -- Draft Community Radio Order 2004
• December 16, 2002 -- Radio Authority welcomes extension to Access Radio Pilot Scheme
• September 6, 2007 -- OFCOM Broadcast Bulletin - Issue number 91 - 20|08|07

© 2003 An Unevenly Distributed Future.