Radiocentre argues against FM switchoff

By James Cridland for media.info
Posted 8 July 2015, 6.30am edt

In a policy document released today as part of its Tuning In conference in central London, Radiocentre, the industry body for UK commercial radio, has rejected a government-mandated switchover from FM to DAB for local radio.

The document highlights that the UK leads the world in the development of digital radio, and points out that there are more than forty dedicated commercial DAB stations.

However, it also highlights that analogue radio remains the largest single platform, accounting for 54.3% of listening hours; and that FM "will remain an important platform for radio for some time".

The document points out the millions of pounds that both the BBC and commercial radio has spent in broadcasting on DAB and FM, and highlights the benefit of digital radio to consumers. However, it rejects the idea of a government-mandated switchover, and asks for government to "clarify future plans for the FM platform".

Work should continue to enable national and large local services to switch off their FM frequencies when they are ready to do so. But this process must be consumer-led and there should be no enforced switchover of local commercial radio stations.

Given that FM is likely to continue as a platform for radio for some time, consideration should also be given to how this can be utilised most effectively and repurposed in future.

Predicting the changes likely in the next five years, Radiocentre adds that "Digital radio will account for the majority of listening time but FM will continue for the foreseeable future."

In the digital switchover plans already discussed within the industry, some local radio stations - those with a small broadcast size - were not to be part of a government-mandated switchover. However, most were expected to have to end their FM transmissions at a date to be set by government. The date will be set once a number of criteria for coverage and listening figures are met, which is likely in 2017.

Some smaller commercial radio groups have been vocally campaigning against an FM switchoff. Meanwhile, larger commercial radio operators have been privately voicing their concern over what happens to the FM frequencies. Ofcom have yet to make a clear statement on what happens to 106.2 FM in London, for example, when Heart vacates it. Clearly, commercial broadcasters would be uneasy at that frequency being given to a community broadcaster: or left for a pirate station to claim.

The Radiocentre document does highlight a number of ways to support the growth of digital radio. The organisation, however, appears to be clear that government mandated switchover, for local radio at least, is not what the sector wants.

In other parts of the document, Radiocentre calls for joint research with the BBC on younger radio audiences; makes its displeasure at content aggregators like TuneIn relatively clear; and asks for an independently regulated BBC to have more distinctive services.

You can download and read the document in full.

Press Release: Radiocentre unveils a new vision for commercial radio

Radiocentre today unveiled a new report outlining its vision for the future of commercial radio.

The industry body for commercial radio’s new policy document Radio. Connecting Past and Future, proposes new ways of working with Government, Ofcom and the BBC so radio can continue to thrive.

Speaking to an audience of advertisers, media and radio executives at Radiocentre’s Tuning In conference in central London, Chief Executive Siobhan Kenny said:

“This report outlines a progressive vision for a thriving and successful commercial radio sector. There are some key commitments to carry on providing listeners with what they want, particularly local news and information. In return, we ask for a legislative review, looking at the sometimes outdated regulation governing the sector.”

The key challenges outlined in the report include increasing competition for people’s time; the continued growth of online advertising; the mighty market share of the BBC (54%); out-dated regulation and the costs and opportunities of growing digital radio.

In order to meet these challenges, Radiocentre calls for:

• Updated legislation from Government enabling greater flexibility, beginning with a wide-ranging review to a defined timetable.
• Sensible, consumer friendly regulation for financial product advertising.
• Stability and security for radio operators – by enacting licence rollovers.
• Future-looking regulation from Ofcom on location and format controls which are focused on the consumer and enable the sector to respond to challenges from less-regulated competitors.
• More distinctive BBC radio services, more rigorously regulated.