Three new BBC DAB+ stations given final go-ahead
In November last year, the BBC proposed to launch four new DAB+ stations: Radio 1 Dance, Radio 1 Anthems, a Radio 2 extension, and Radio 3 Unwind. It also published proposals to expand the broadcasting hours of Radio 5 Sports Extra.
In line with the process set out in the BBC Charter and Agreement, the BBC and then Ofcom are required to consider the effects on competition of ‘material’ changes to its TV, radio and online public services.
Ofcom judged that these proposals were ‘material’, as did the BBC, and therefore carried out full Competition Assessments. These examine whether the public value of the proposals justify the likely impact on fair and effective competition.
In April, Ofcom provisionally concluded that the BBC could proceed with plans for the Radio 1 Dance, Radio 1 Anthems and Radio 3 Unwind stations, but not its proposals for a BBC Radio 2 spin-off or an expansion of the hours of Radio 5 Sports Extra.
I am one of the editors here at www.systemtek.co.uk I am a UK based technology professional, with an interest in computer security and telecoms.