Ofcom has rejected proposals for a Radio 2 spin-off and changes to 5 Sports Extra, whilst approving plans for three new digital radio stations from the BBC.
Radio 1 Dance, Radio 1 Anthems and Radio 3 Unwind have all been cleared to launch as DAB+ stations.
Ofcom concluded they offer enough public value to justify their limited impact on commercial competitors.
However, the proposed Radio 2 extension service, which would have featured music and archive content from the 1950s to 1970s, has been blocked. Ofcom said it would likely have a significant impact on commercial radio, particularly stations already serving older audiences.
Plans to extend the broadcast hours of BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra have also been turned down. Ofcom said while the proposal could broaden sports coverage on linear radio, it would have too much of an effect on existing sports radio services, including the talkSPORT network.
Ofcom launched full Competition Assessments into all five proposals earlier this year, judging them to be “material” changes under the BBC Charter and Agreement. The regulator published provisional decisions in April and then held a public consultation.
The final ruling confirms that the three approved DAB+ services will not need separate new operating licence conditions. They will instead be regulated under existing licence arrangements.
More information can be found on the Ofcom website.
Background:
* BBC Radio 1 Dance has been available on BBC Sounds since 2020 but not on DAB.
* Radio 1 Anthems is a genre-based stream already running online via BBC Sounds.
* Radio 3 Unwind is expected to offer ambient classical and mood programming.
* Commercial radio groups previously raised concerns over BBC’s expansion into areas already well served by existing stations.
* The Radio 2 spin-off would have targeted audiences currently reached by stations like Boom Radio and Greatest Hits Radio.