Local radio team More FM is celebrating after the communications regulator, Ofcom, advertised a new licence to serve the city of Oxford and much of the south of the county.
More FM has campaigned for over ten years for a new county radio service and has already operated a number of trial services in the area.
Founding Director Steve Cannon said; ? This is a significant milestone. For years we were told that there was no chance of a second service for the county but we have worked closely with Ofcom to identify suitable frequencies to operate this new service. No one has been more committed to making this happen and we can now research and develop our plans to find out what type of new service local listeners want.?
The new radio station, to be broadcast on 106.8 and 106.4 FM, will cover a large area of up to three hundred thousand potential listeners in Oxford, Kidlington, Abingdon,Wantage, Didcot and Wallingford. More FM plans to establish high profile premises in the city centre from where the new service will not only inform and entertain local people, but offer local businesses an attractive alternative advertising platform.
As part of their strategy More FM has joined up with local radio operator CN Group, who own and operate a number of nearby services. Its Managing Director Jon Hewson said; ?More FM has been the only sustained voice for a new local radio station to serve this area. We are delighted to be part of their plans, having recently launched a new service serving the North of Oxfordshire from Banbury. Our partnership means that we will be able to offer local advertisers either a county wide alternative to Fox FM, or a just Oxford and the south of the County.?
Applications to operate the service must be submitted in June 2006, with a licence award being made by Ofcom some three months later. If successful, More FM plans to start broadcasting in Spring 2007.