Fancy starting a radio station?

New opportunities for radio stations are emerging in the borough after Ofcom announced an invitation for a Telford licence as part of its small-scale DAB roll-out.

This innovative technology is designed to make it more affordable for local and community broadcasters to reach listeners on digital radio.

The announcement comes as part of the eighth and final round of licensing, with Ofcom having already awarded 115 licences and seen 75 multiplexes go live across the UK.

Small-scale DAB multiplexes are designed to cater to a diverse range of broadcasters, including grassroots community services, specialist music stations, and those that serve minority groups and other under-served audiences.

According to Ofcom, nearly two-thirds of the stations on these new platforms are new to terrestrial radio broadcasting.

This initiative provides a new pathway to digital broadcasting for existing analogue stations, as well as new services that may have struggled to find a space on the larger, more established multiplexes.

Radio industry expert Mike Phillips from Telford says “This could be great news for the local area. We could see up to ten new radio stations ranging from community, specialist music, or speech.”

The total number of stations launched through the scheme is now 590, with an average of just over nine stations on each multiplex.

To find out more visit the Ofcom website: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/digital-radio/ofcom-invites-applications-for-eighth-round-of-small-scale-dab-radio-licences?language=en

The closing-date for applications is 5pm on 10 December 2025.