Road to analogue radio switchoff takes a tentative step forwards

Ofcom has recently announced that no more new commercial radio stations will launch on AM and FM transmitters, except community stations where specific criteria applies. Despite the launch of DAB in the 1990s and the rise of streaming services in recent years, FM radio remains popular - especially in workplaces and schools and in the car. FM also offers superior audio quality to DAB as the audio is not compressed, whereas DAB is compressed to the lossy AAC codec.

There have long been plans to switch off the FM network in the UK. The initial switchoff date was scheduled for 2015, later pushed back to 2017 and 2029, but these plans seem to be on hold for now. Ofcom would assess whether listening figures are decreasing enough to justify the switchoff. The BBC is currently in the process of switching off AM transmitters, most notably Radio 4 in June, with more Radio 5 and Asian Network transmitters due to close by the end of this year.

Some countries have already fully turned off their FM transmitters, such as Norway which ended FM broadcasts in 2017. Swiss public broadcaster SRG SSR turned off its FM transmitters at the start of 2025 but reversed this decision less than a year later citing declining ratings and a lack of commercial stations leaving the band.

Community groups that wish to launch a short-range community station have until the end of next month to register their interest. Stations will only launch on FM if there is no small scale DAB multiplex covering their planned broadcast area. Organisations will need to state details of the station, the intended coverage area, target community and intended transmitter. Proposals for AM will only be accepted in truly exceptional circumstances. Groups wishing to apply for an AM licence will need show additional evidence, specifically why an AM station will serve the intended audience better than an FM or DAB station.