The regulator is also looking at the possibility of offering either four new large regional licences or a larger number of small licences in four parts of the UK -- the North-East of England, South Wales, South-West England and South Hampshire/Bournemouth.
According to The Times today, the regulator is now looking for comments from the industry and from potential new operators on what the balance between large and smaller stations should be and the timing of the licence programme.
The Radio Authority, one of the bodies merged into Ofcom, had already identified most of the opportunities. These include a total of 35 new FM stations including two licences previously not identified -- Bournemouth and Stoke-on-Trent.
Ofcom plans to produce a simpler and clearer process for licence applicants that includes more information for applicants when a licence is offered, including an analysis of the relevant market. Timetables for new licensees will also be offered a year in advance.
Applicants would also be invited to submit their own format -- a summary of the station's style and character -- and the format of the winning applicant would then be included in the licence.
Chrysalis Radio chief executive Phil Riley hit out at the Radio Authority in November last year, calling for the authority to be more precise in defining what types of radio formats were most likely to succeed, with a pre-tendering stage to the process to eliminate some bids early on. He said this would reduce the amount of time wasted on unsuccessful bidding. His own contender, The Arrow, lost out to Saga 105.2FM in the fight for the Glasgow FM franchise.
Meanwhile radio group GWR, owner of Classic FM, has reported a more buoyant advertising market in the last quarter, reflecting an improved trading outlook.
GWR said it had a strong trading performance during the three months to December 31 with revenues for its analogue radio business up by 12%. In January the group's revenues were up by 10%.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the .
.jpg)
.jpg)