Nation Broadcasting will now turn off three rather than two Ceredigion transmitters and surrender the licence for Nation Radio Ceredigion on 31 July 2025.
Although Ofcom had recently approved a plan to keep the main Aberystwyth transmitter running until 2032, Nation has now changed course following new regulatory proposals published by the regulator.
The unexpected consultation document sets out plans to reintroduce specific local programming and news requirements for Ceredigion’s FM licence, reversing the current arrangement where Nation relays content from Nation Radio South Wales across the area.
The move means the end of FM broadcasts in Aberystwyth, Lampeter and Cardigan, where around 72,000 people are currently served by the local analogue licence.
Martin Mumford, Managing Director at Nation, said the decision to switch off all three FM sites had not been taken lightly.
“We worked hard for many months with Ofcom to secure FM transmission in Ceredigion into the 2030s,” he said.
“Ofcom’s proposals for the future regulation of analogue radio, now at consultation stage, were unexpected as they would re-regulate programming on this licence contrary to the basis of its award.”
He added that their original 2018 application, which was uncontested, was based on the economic reality that running a standalone Radio Ceredigion service was no longer viable.
Nation had previously proposed retaining FM coverage via the Blaenplwyf transmitter at Aberystwyth only, and received Ofcom approval to decommission the other two sites. That plan has now been reversed.
In a statement, Nation Broadcasting warned Ofcom that “regulators should understand that their choices have real world implications in an ever-changing media market” and cautioned against decisions that “add uncertainty into modern media businesses.”
From August, Nation Radio will continue to broadcast to the area via DAB digital radio and online streaming. FM and DAB services in other parts of Wales are unaffected.