Northern Ireland radio licences available

Ofcom has today opened the licensing process so that groups can apply for a community radio licence to broadcast in Northern Ireland.

Applications cost a non-refundable £600 and the regulator is accepting proposals for stations on either FM or AM.

Community radio licences in areas where there is a commercial radio station with a TSA of under 150,000 may have restrictions placed upon them in terms of their ability to attract revenue from advertising and sponsorship.

Ofcom says no FM frequencies are available in the Derry District Council area so it won’t be accepting applications for community radio licences in that area.

The closing date for applications in Northern Ireland is 5pm on Thursday 7th June 2012.

After Northern Ireland, the regulator will invite applications later this year for stations in North East England and Cumbria. Other regions of England will follow during 2013 and 2014. Ofcom is currently considering applications from 19 groups for community licences in Scotland.