Recommendation 17

HM Government · verbatim extract Deferred

The Government supports a strong and vibrant radio sector encompassing the BBC, commercial and community stations and providing the widest possible choice for all radio listeners. Over recent years, we have taken a number of steps to ensure that as many stations as possible have the opportunity to broadcast to UK audiences. This has included supporting the launch of the second national commercial digital radio multiplex in 2016, which has enabled many more commercial stations to provide a national service. In addition, with listening over AM and FM continuing to fall (it now represents below 30% of radio listening in the UK), we also have responded to a desire expressed by smaller stations and new entrants to open up access to the terrestrial DAB radio platform, including by passing legislation to enable Ofcom to license small-scale DAB networks and services across the UK. A number of licences have been awarded to date in Wales, in areas including Merthyr & Rhonnda Cynon Taff, Newport & Chepstow, North Pembrokeshire, South Pembrokeshire, Llandudno & Betws-y-Coed, Swansea, Wrexham and Cardiff. As a result of changes such as these, there are now more than 600 BBC, licensed commercial and community stations across the UK, providing a rich diversity of listening, and we expect even more to become available as the rollout of small-scale DAB continues. The proposed changes to Ofcom’s remit, as set out in the Media Bill, are a reflection of the shift to digital listening over the last ten years and the wide choice of radio and audio services that listeners have - including services that are increasingly available online. We believe that these changes, which will update and simplify commercial radio licensing, will help sustain a choice of radio services and secure the wide availability of local radio news.