Kettering and Corby Broadcasting Company has applied for the small scale DAB digital radio multiplex for Kettering and Corby.
Applications for Round 6 were due last week, and Ofcom usually releases details of all bidders within a few weeks.
Community station Corby Radio also announced plans recently to apply for the same licence.
Nik Fox, a director at KCBC, said: “I’m a big fan of Kettering and Corby and believe the areas will benefit from an increased choice in stations. It has been an ambition of mine for many years to bring DAB to both these great towns.
“It has been a joy talking to the interested stations who know me of old and know my work ethic and unbeatable service in providing radio solutions for many years. They know we can deliver and to a timeline that suits their ambitions.”
Paul Swann, also a director at KCBC, added, “Our application has had strong support from every local station and others that really believe both towns will be a great way to further their reach. We’re ready to go should we be successful.”
Northants 1’s Executive Director of Music, Andrew Haslam said: “Following our recent rebrand to Northants 1, we’ve seen a big uptake in people listening across the local area. We see how important it is Kettering and surrounding areas have their own local radio station, and the next logical step is to make our service as accessible as possible for everyone in our community.
“We’re excited to be working with KCBC to support their application for SSDAB in Kettering and Corby.”
Charlie Stone, Northants 1 Executive Director of Operations said, “We’re really excited for the potential and opportunity this will offer not only us but other local radio stations in the local area.
“This has been a long time coming for North Northamptonshire, and we’ve worked with KCBC on other projects previously. We believe that KCBC will be able to efficiently carry out a service dedicated to the local area within the requirements specified by the regulator.”
Jim Byrne, Director of Embrace Radio also expressed his excitement: “This is great news! There are those within the industry that don’t know the true worth of digital radio and can be blinkered into not understanding its quality and reach. But as ever, the most important person in all of this, is the listener. Nik and Paul deliver what they say and their experience and abilities are second to none. Kettering and Corby are in for an absolute treat. Embrace wholeheartedly backs this bid!”