Ofcom has launched a consultation on proposals that would require digital radio multiplex operators to publish details of the charges paid by stations for carriage.
The regulator says the change would make pricing more transparent by introducing a requirement for multiplex operators to provide up-to-date “rate cards” setting out costs for radio services seeking carriage.
A similar transparency requirement already applies to small-scale DAB multiplexes, and the proposed extension would bring local and national operators in line.
It would affect operators such as Arqiva, which is highly secretive about its pricing, and will only discuss rates after potential clients sign an NDA.
Local multiplex operator MuxCo already lists rate card prices for its platforms on its website.
Matt Deegan from MuxCo tells RadioToday: “We’ve always been clear with pricing when potential clients get in touch, and earlier this year we started publishing rate cards for our MuxCo-owned multiplexes on our website.
“We look forward to responding to Ofcom’s consultation”
In its release, Ofcom said: “We are proposing that multiplex operators must publish up to date ‘rate cards’ about the payments to be made by radio stations seeking carriage on the multiplex. This is intended to ensure radio services have greater transparency about charges.”
The consultation is open until 4 November 2025, with a final decision expected in early 2026.
More information and the consultation document can be found on the Ofcom website.