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Government won’t back FM radio for Banbury, but give other areas licence extensions
19/12/2024
Witney and Oxford radio stations are set to receive unchallenged licence extensions
The Labour government won’t support calls for Banbury to be given a chance to have its own FM radio station, but they are set to wave through unchallenged licence extensions for local community radio stations in other parts of the country.
Banbury FM has long campaigned for access to an FM frequency for those people who are unable to listen to the station digitally online or via smart speakers.
A statement made last week by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport proposed that existing stations in places such as Witney and Oxford should be granted ten year licence extensions.
But Labour haven’t listened to requests to allow new FM entrants to the market in towns like Banbury, and have taken the same approach as the previous Conservative government.
Ministers ignored calls by Banbury’s own MP for his town to be granted an FM licence. Speaking in the house in October Sean Woodcock said: “Banbury FM in my constituency provides news, music and information services that are, in many ways, much better than the service provided by larger existing FM licence holders.
“Unfortunately, Ofcom’s effective veto on stations obtaining FM licences means that it – and many other independent local radio stations – are only accessible via digital platforms, depriving parts of society, especially the elderly or the isolated, access to their services.
“Will the leader commit to a debate on improving access to FM frequencies for independent radio stations and the potential for Ofcom to provide on demand licences?”
Banbury FM’s Managing Director isn’t surprised by the latest move. Andy Green said: “This government, like the last, aren’t listening to the people, but instead backing Ofcom who continue to roll out their technically flawed small-scale DAB project.
“Across the country licenced FM community radio stations account for a tiny amount of radio listening, but look set to have licence extensions waved through.
“The government says FM is in decline, but that’s not surprising when there’s no longer anything worth listening to on there. Is it any wonder smart speaker and internet listening is shooting up for stations like Banbury FM.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam