UKCRN Urges Response to Ofcom Consultation and Government Radio Review

Why It Matters

Decisions on licensing and FM transition will determine community radio’s sustainability, spectrum access, and ability to serve local audiences for the next decade.

Key Takeaways

• UKCRN launches sector survey, deadline 28 March.
• Survey informs response to Ofcom licensing consultation.
• DCMS reviewing possible FM switch‑off in 2030s.
• Community radio sustainability hinges on upcoming policy decisions.
• Stations urged to submit comments directly to regulator.

Pulse Analysis

Community radio remains a cornerstone of local media in the UK, delivering news, cultural programming, and social cohesion that larger broadcasters often overlook. The UK Community Radio Network (UKCRN) is mobilising its members to shape the regulatory framework that will govern the sector for the next decade. By issuing a sector-wide survey, UKCRN aims to capture granular data on licensing needs, digital carriage via the Small Scale DAB (SSDAB) platform, and the financial pressures faced by volunteer‑run stations. This evidence will feed directly into Ofcom’s strategic licensing consultation, which sets short‑ to medium‑term priorities for broadcast radio.

Simultaneously, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has launched a comprehensive review of the future of radio, prompted by shifting listening habits and the rapid growth of streaming services. A key question is whether the UK should orchestrate a managed transition away from FM broadcasting in the 2030s, and what timetable would minimise disruption for community operators. The outcome will affect spectrum allocation, potentially freeing frequencies for mobile broadband or emergency services, while also determining the long‑term viability of SSDAB as the primary digital distribution channel for local stations.

The stakes are high for community broadcasters, whose licences and audience reach depend on policy decisions made this year. UKCRN’s call for individual stations, volunteers, and listeners to complete the survey before 28 March and to submit direct comments to Ofcom by 8 April is a strategic move to ensure that grassroots perspectives are reflected in national policy. Stakeholders that engage now can influence licensing criteria, safeguard FM access where needed, and help shape a realistic digital migration plan, ultimately securing the sector’s relevance and financial sustainability for the next decade.