Ofcom has approved a change to Glow Radio’s Key Commitments, allowing it to broaden its audience beyond under-40s.
The community radio licence holder, Rush FM Ltd, had proposed updating its character of service to include “the people who live, work and study within its licensed area” rather than just younger listeners.
The station will also revise its social gain commitments. Previously focused on giving local young people a voice and opportunities for skills training, Glow Radio will now provide “some dedicated output to provide a voice to under-40s,” while supporting local people, businesses and volunteer and charitable organisations. The changes are to strengthen social cohesion across the area.
Ofcom said the proposed amendments would substantially alter the service’s character but determined that the new Key Commitments were appropriate. The consultation process received input from the community before the decision was finalised.
Commenting on the approval, Matt Vaughan, Director of Programming at Glow Radio said: “I would like to thank Jon, Ophelia, and the Ofcom team for their time to consider this.
“Since my original application for a community radio licence in May 2017, the radio landscape and the habits of younger radio listeners have changed considerably.
“The approved consultation isn’t about Glow Radio ignoring its roots, it gives Glow more scope to serve the people of the newly appointed council area of North Hampshire and Surrey Heath, it also gives more local people of all ages an opportunity to volunteer at the station.”