Radio stations will get clearer DAB carriage pricing under a new Ofcom licence condition.
Ofcom has confirmed that local and national digital radio multiplex operators will have to publish up to date rate cards showing indicative payments for carriage on their services.
The change follows a consultation on how to implement new requirements introduced by the Media Act 2024, which placed a duty on Ofcom to require more transparency around payments made by radio stations to multiplex operators.
The regulator says the new condition will apply to the holders of local and national multiplex licences, with the published prices intended to act as a starting point for commercial negotiations rather than a fixed tariff.
The final licence condition says: “The Licensee shall publish on its website, and keep up-to-date, a rate card showing indicative payments” to be made by holders of community, local and national digital sound programme licences.
Ofcom says the wording has been changed from its consultation proposal to make clear that prices are indicative and must be published on the operator’s website.
The regulator says published rate cards will give radio stations enough information to support negotiations, while allowing multiplex operators to keep flexibility for different commercial arrangements.
Nine responses were received to the consultation, with most respondents broadly supporting the publication of charging information. Some argued that publication should only be required when capacity is available, but Ofcom rejected that approach, saying it would not provide enough transparency.
Ofcom expects to issue final variation notices in autumn 2026, with the new requirement expected to take effect from 1 June 2027.
Multiplex operator Folder Media has recently created a website to help radio broadcasters find information in one place – called getmeondigitalradio.com – an independent guide to coverage areas and rate cards.
