Applications have opened for the final round of small-scale DAB radio multiplex licences, covering 40 areas across the UK.
This eighth round marks the last stage of Ofcom’s programme, which has already led to 75 multiplexes going live across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Once complete, the initiative will support more than 100 small-scale multiplexes nationwide.
Each multiplex licence allows community services, specialist music stations and stations aimed at under-served groups to broadcast on digital radio. Ofcom says this expansion is designed to give listeners more choice and to provide opportunities for stations that may not otherwise reach digital audiences.
The new areas now open for applications include towns and regions across all four nations.
Licences are also being re-advertised for several locations where they have not yet been awarded.
Ofcom has set the closing date for applications as 5pm on 10 December this year. In addition to multiplex operators, the regulator is also encouraging applications from organisations who want to provide a Community Digital Sound Programme (C-DSP) service on small-scale DAB.
Areas are:
- Aberystwyth
- Andover
- Armagh
- Ballymena
- Barnsley
- Barnstaple & Bideford
- Brecon
- Burton-on-Trent & Lichfield
- Bury St Edmunds, Thetford & Mildenhall
- Cheltenham & Tewkesbury
- Chesterfield
- Chippenham & Malmesbury
- Coleraine
- Cookstown & Dungannon
- East Cornwall
- East Edinburgh & South Forth coast
- Falmouth, Penzance & Redruth
- Gairloch
- Girvan & Cumnock
- Grantham & Sleaford
- Grimsby
- Kilmarnock
- Leamington Spa & Stratford-upon-Avon
- Mansfield & Worksop
- Monmouth
- Newbury
- Newquay, St Austell & Truro
- North Powys
- Omagh
- Perth
- Peterlee
- Pitlochry & Aberfeldy
- Scunthorpe
- Skye & Lochalsh
- South Hams
- South Powys
- Stroud
- Telford & Shrewsbury
- Tiverton
- Ullapool
Plus:
- Berwickshire & Roxburgh
- Chester
- Derby
- Dundee & North East Fife
- Guildford & Woking
- Lincoln
- Kintyre, Islay & Jura
- South West Fife
- South West Sussex
- Weymouth & Dorchester
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This story first appeared on radiotoday.co.uk