On Thursday 11th May, Ofcom’s Radio Licensing Committee awarded eight community radio licences. These awards are the last in Ofcom’s first round of community radio licensing, which began with the receipt of 194 applications in November 2004. From these, Ofcom has now awarded a total of 107 community radio licences.
The eight new stations will be: 7 Waves Radio on the Wirral in Merseyside, Talkin’ Toxteth TTFM in Liverpool, Halton FM in Runcorn, Cheshire FM for Mid Cheshire, Diversity FM in Lancaster, Chelmsford Calling in Essex, Saint FM in Burnham-On-Crouch and BRFM which will serve the community on the Isle of Sheppey.
The RLC was satisfied that each group awarded a licence should be allowed to seek up to 50% of its annual income from the sale of advertising or programme sponsorship if it so wishes and that none of the new services would prejudice unduly the economic viability of any other local service.
Read the full report on the Ofcom website by clicking here.