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Ofcom has published its final statement and guidance on local news and information requirements for analog commercial radio, following changes introduced by the Media Act 2024.
The United Kingdom’s communications regulator says the Act amended the Broadcasting Act 1990 and the Communications Act 2003, giving Ofcom “a new duty to include appropriate new conditions in these stations’ licenses, requiring them to broadcast local news and information regularly, including ‘locally gathered’ news.” It also introduced “a new duty to consult on, draw up, and publish guidance on how licensees may comply with the new conditions.”
Ofcom says it consulted between April and July 2025 on its proposals and draft guidance, which were developed “taking into account the important role that local news and information play in society,” and recognizing that local analog commercial radio “remains a key way for people to access local news and information.”
Prioritizing locally gathered news
Following the consultation, Ofcom has decided that all local analog commercial radio stations — apart from those with a turnover under £50,000 — must broadcast local news at least hourly during weekday daytime (6 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and at least three times during peak time on weekends and bank holidays (7 a.m. to 12 p.m.). Ofcom states, “This local news must consist of or include some news which has been locally gathered by journalists physically present in the relevant areas.” It adds, “We will not specify how much local news must be locally gathered or how frequently it should be broadcast.”
Stations with turnover under £50,000 must broadcast local news three times during peak weekday mornings (6 a.m. to 10 a.m.) and peak weekday afternoons (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.). These stations will not be required to broadcast local news on weekends or bank holidays, or to include news gathered locally.
Ofcom also confirms that “All local analog commercial radio stations must broadcast local information regularly throughout daytime weekdays (06.00 to 19.00) and at peak times (07.00 to 12.00) on weekends and bank holidays.” In addition, “Licensees must keep a public file which is available online and contains information about the licensee’s local news and information requirements and how it complies with them.”
Regarding implementation, Ofcom says, “Where a licensee has not previously been required to provide local news, they will have two years before the new requirements come into force. All other licensees will have one year.” The regulator adds, “We will soon be writing to Licensees directly with the proposed variations to their licenses, which they will have the opportunity to make representations about before final decisions about variations to individual licenses are made.”
You can read or download the final guidance below.
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