March 11, 2019

Ofcom has published its decision on areas in Scotland and Wales from which local commercial radio stations can broadcast local programmes.

Ofcom explains that local commercial radio stations are required to produce a minimum number of hours of locally-made programmes. They can broadcast this content from within the licensed area itself or from studios based within an area approved by Ofcom.

The new approved areas are Northern Scotland, Southern Scotland and Wales.

Ofcom says that these new approved areas give radio stations in Scotland and Wales greater flexibility in how and where they produce their programmes. However, Ofcom warns that its guidelines make clear that local news, traffic and weather information must still be delivered, irrespective of where a studio is based.

The changes Ofcom is making to rules around “localness” are designed to strengthen the ability of local commercial radio stations to keep producing high-quality, locally relevant services. To read Ofcom’s decision in full, click here.