Ofcom draws for Ramadan licences

Ofcom opted for the luck of the draw when granting licences for Ramadan this year. Applications for temporary broadcast licences for the period of Ramadan and Eid (32 days in total) usually outstrip availability.

This year was no different with one licence for one area so the media regulator opted to draw for each area at their London offices, with some of the groups in the running invited to look on. The lucky recipients will air in late August when Ramadan commences.

Licencees include Gulshear Khan for the Bradford area where there were 16 applicants. Sophia Rahman for Luton (6 applicants) and London (East), where there were 5 applicants, was awarded to Muhammad Abul Kalam.

Ofcom expects to license a total of 29 temporary radio services for Ramadan 2009.