Cumbria.Digital has announced plans to apply to Ofcom for a licence to establish a new Digital Radio platform covering Carlisle and Penrith. This initiative will provide opportunities for others to launch their own radio stations on DAB, enhancing the local broadcasting landscape.
If awarded the licence, Cumbria.Digital says it intends to develop the infrastructure necessary to enable up to 20 radio stations to operate on the DAB multiplex, including a mix of community, local, and national commercial stations. Significantly, the company plans to reserve capacity for six community stations, surpassing Ofcom's minimum requirement of four, to better serve the diverse communities in Carlisle, Penrith, and the surrounding rural areas.
Cumbria.Digital's vision is to create a platform that connects the community through the power of Digital Radio, enabling anyone to launch their own station. The company also plans to establish media hubs in Penrith and Carlisle to support community groups and organisations with the facilities needed to run their own stations on the multiplex and make radio accessible to all.
"We are looking to provide a platform that gives communities and organisations a voice, opening up the power of radio to all and bringing greater choice to listeners in the area," said a spokesperson for Cumbria.Digital "We will support the existing community stations in Carlisle and Penrith, ensuring they have capacity on the multiplex if they wish alongside supporting new stations."
In addition to community stations, Cumbria.Digital said they are already in discussions with potential commercial stations, including niche stations not currently available over the air locally.
The application to Ofcom will be submitted in early July. Subject to approval, Cumbria.Digital aims to have the infrastructure operational and serving listeners from Penrith to Carlisle and the surrounding areas within 18 months.
In its press release issued on Tuesday Cumbria.Digital said they are keen to hear form anyone who may be interested in launching a radio station or who currently operates a radio station including online to explore potential opportunities for capacity on the Carlisle and Penrith multiplex subject to Ofcom licence award.
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