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Business News Media
OfCom extends analogue radio licences to twelve years
By Chris Cooke | Published on Tuesday 17 June 2014
Media regulator OfCom has announced that it will start issuing twelve year licences to the operators of AM and FM radio stations moving forward, which is the longest time allowed under law, but since 2010 the regulator has opted for seven year licences, because of an expectation that the government might set a date for shifting most radio stations off the analogue frequencies, making the DAB digital network the primary outlet for radio.
But, with the government having confirmed last year that the switchover ain’t happening any time soon, OfCom has decided to go back to the full twelve year licence arrangement.
Unsurprisingly, commercial radio trade group Radiocentre welcomed the decision, with CEO Siobhan Kenny telling reporters: “I am delighted that OfCom has agreed to move back to full twelve year licence terms. This change will be a real benefit to some of the smaller commercial stations on FM and AM, providing them with the prospect of five more years to build their businesses before they need to think about re-licensing”.