UK

Central FM wants to increase the range of its small-scale DAB multiplex to add an extra 50,000 potential listeners to its coverage area.
The licensee is proposing a power increase from 260W to 490W for the existing transmitter at Earl’s Hill and from 50W to 140W for the existing transmitter located at Central FM’s studio.
Ofcom is consulting on the request to vary the licensed area to improve the commercial viability of the service.
None of the listeners who are currently served by the multiplex would lose coverage under the revised plan and previously unserved areas, including parts of the city of Dunfermline, would be covered.
Ofcom says it is minded to approve the application and is seeking views from interested or affected parties, which must be submitted by 3 February 2025.

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Carlisle community radio station CRFM is planning to launch an online service for west Cumbria at the end of March.
CRFM West will have its own programming coming from region from 6am to 6pm Monday to Friday, with shared shows with CRFM East at the weekend.
In a social media post, the station said: “As soon as they get DAB for community stations in the Carlisle and West Cumbria areas, both services will go on to DAB.
“As we are a community radio service, the company operates as a Community Interest Company (CIC) as all the money they make goes back into running the station and all the staff work on a voluntary basis.”

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If you are looking at starting a community radio station on AM or FM then the UK Community Radio Network wants to hear from you.
Ofcom is currently consulting on its work plan for the 2025-2026 period, but makes no mention of any plans to licence new analogue services.
UKCRN says it is minded to call on Ofcom to consider a limited and specific application process for FM radio in this work plan period, to start the process of general applications, and also consider special areas and circumstances where they licence new stations now.
Martin Steers, Co-Founder of the UKCRN said; “Whilst small-scale DAB is an opportunity for community radio, it won’t be viable in all areas, and for many areas it is still many years away, while the whole of the licencing may be completed by the end of 2025 once awarded multiplex operators have a further 18 months to launch.”
The group also wants to encourage groups and organisations to consider making representations to Ofcom to show interest in additional analogue licensing and also encourage stations to contact their local Councils, Mayors, MPs and other key stakeholders to encourage them to engage with the Ofcom process to push for a commitment for new analogue licenses.
They are happy to help and would love to look at a coordinated approach to working with Ofcom on this matter.
They have launched a survey to gauge interest in future analogue licenses and for them to look at coordination on approach and responses. This should be completed by the station manager or management group/committee etc representative.
They will be submitting a response to Ofcom and making representations based on the feedback from this survey and engagement with stations. The more stations that they have complete the survey the more weight they will have with Ofcom and the Government for the argument for new analogue licences.

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Lyca Radio Network has partnered with Southall Travel to commemorate the travel brand’s 40th anniversary.

As part of the festivities, Lyca Radio Network is offering three couples the chance to win a trip to the Maldives.
The prize includes flights and accommodations at three of the Maldives’ most celebrated resorts: Hudhuran Fushi, Meedhupparu, and Club Rannalhi, all operated by the Adaaran group.
The competition, which launched on Monday, 13th January, will run until the winners are revealed during the Drivetime show on Monday, 3rd February.
Jaymin Borkhatria, Chief Commercial Officer at Southall Travel, expressed excitement about the collaboration, saying: “We are thrilled to partner with Lyca Radio Network, which has designed an impressive marketing campaign for this milestone giveaway.
“The prizes are extraordinary, and we’re excited to offer three lucky pairs in London, Manchester, and Leicester a dream trip to the Maldives.”
Raj Baddhan, CEO of Lyca Radio Network, added: “We are deeply grateful to Southall Travel for choosing Lyca Radio Network for this fantastic competition, one of the biggest prizes we’ve ever given away.
“We’ve worked tirelessly with Southall Travel to ensure each winner has a truly unforgettable experience in the Maldives. It’s an honour to celebrate Southall Travel’s 40th anniversary with such a phenomenal giveaway.”

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British pianist and educator Nikki Yeoh is joining Jazz FM to host a weekly radio show.

Nikki will present the 10-midnight slot starting this Saturday night, and the same evening will also see Chris Philips take over the 6-9pm slot, recently vacated by Sarah Ward.
Sarah stepped back from regular broadcasting just before Christmas following a career that spanned seven decades on the air. An hour-long celebration of Sarah Ward’s career is still available to listen to on the Rayo app here.
British Jazz Pianist Nikki has performed with Billy Cobham, Chick Corea, Neneh Cherry, Kurt Elling, Eddie Harris, Nigel Kennedy, Courtney Pine and The Roots. She was Musical Director and Mentor for the BBC Young Jazz Musician Competition 2020 and 2022.
Nikki is lead for jazz, pop and improvisation at Music Education Islington, Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and is also a Principal lecturer at Leeds Conservatoire, teaching the future stars of jazz, all about improvisation.
Nikki won the Jazz FM Instrumentalist Award in 2017 and the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Education award 2024.
Chris Philips has been on the station since launch in March 1991 and the new slot sees him return to regular daytime presentation having taken a break since 2018 to concentrate on his previous Saturday night programme.
Of joining Jazz FM, Nikki Yeoh says: “I’ve listened to Jazz FM for years and years and love the fact that they play so many different kinds of jazz.
“I’m beyond excited to be joining the likes of Jez Nelson, Chris Philips and Helen Mayhew on the Jazz FM lineup with my new weekly Saturday night show where I’ll be presenting music you know – along with music you don’t know yet – but I promise you will love. I cannot wait to share the music with you.”
Jazz FM and Magic Classical Content Director Nick Pitts added: “With Sarah leaving, it was always going to be tough to find an alternative as brilliant and as special as she was. Therefore, with Chris accepting the challenge – having been Sarah’s number one fan – this move allows us to also get Nikki onboard to present a regular show of her own curation. We know she can add some real value into our Jazz FM listeners lives.
“Nikki is a much sought after British jazz musician who is absolutely at the top of her game and I look forward her to transferring that knowledge and passion of the music to her weekly selections of songs as she brings Saturday night to a close each week.”
Saturdays on Jazz FM from 18th January 2025
0600-0900 – Nia Visser0900-1000 – Jazz Shapers with Elliot Moss1000-1400 – Nigel Williams1400-1800 – YolanDa Brown1800-2100 – Chris Philips2100-2200 – Documentaries and guest curations2200-2400 – Nikki Yeoh

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Bauer Media Audio UK has agreed to acquire Star Radio in Cambridgeshire to rebrand it as Hits Radio.

The local service will become a relay of the national Hits Radio service, taking the full network schedule including Fleur East, Gemma Atkinson, and Sam Thompson.
News and information will remain local to the area as per regulatory conditions.
Simon Myciunka, CEO of Bauer Media Audio UK said, “This move will allow us to connect with even more listeners across Cambridgeshire and unlock greater scale for our local and national commercial partners. A huge thanks to the Star Radio team who we will work closely with as we work through this transition.”
Freddie Scherer, Managing Director at Star Radio said “We’d like to thank the staff, listeners, advertisers and the Cambridgeshire community for the privilege of providing a radio service for the past 24 years.”
Star Radio, which started broadcasting in 1998, has had many rebrands over the last 26 years, including Cambridge Cafe Radio, Cambridge Red and The Eagle.
It is expected to transition to Hits Radio over the coming months.

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