Two applicants for Slough radio licence

As expected, a community radio licence holder in Slough has applied for the re-advertised FM commercial radio licence for the town.

The current holder Time 106.6, owned by Sunrise Radio’s parent company Litt Corporation, will go up against Asian Star Radio, which is based in Time’s old studios.

We told you in April how Asian Star had put in a declaration of intent to apply for the licence, sparking a full re-advertisement process by Ofcom.

Today, Ofcom has announced it has received two applications – one from Time 106.6 and one from Asian Star Radio, which would give up its community licence if successful.

Asian Star says it will offer “a unique service primarily for the Asian communities of the Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead areas. Programmes will feature a broad range of local news and information supported by popular music covering a wide range of Asian tastes. Presentation will be mainly in English with some material in Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi.”

Time 106.6’s proposed format is for a “locally-focused radio station designed to appeal to a broad range of adult listeners, particularly those aged 25-64.”

As a community radio licence holder, Asian Star Radio would not be allowed to also hold a commercial radio licence. In its application the company says that it proposes to return the community radio licence prior to the launch of the commercial radio service, should the bid be successful.

You can read the two applications in full here.