What is Community Radio?

The information on this page is based on information supplied by Ofcom

Community radio is a recently introduced type of radio station in the UK. Unlike traditional local stations, they broadcast to smaller areas, usually within 5 kilometres (km) of their transmitter. They focus on a specific community (such as an ethnic-minority group) or on a range of listeners inside their small broadcast area. Their job is to benefit communities rather than make a profit.

A community radio station's programmes will reflect the needs and interests of its audience. But rather than "talk at" its community, the station should become a central part of it. This means creating direct links with its listeners, offering training opportunities and making sure that members of the community can take part in how the station is run.

In order to get a community radio licence, applicants must demonstrate that the proposed station will meet the needs of a specified target community, together with required "social gain" objectives set out in the application.

A target community can be defined either by geography or by reference to a particular sub-community in an area, otherwise known as a "community of interest". A community of interest can be any identifiable local community; existing Community stations are aimed at groups as diverse as the elderly, religious groups such as Christian and Muslim, lifestyle groups such as gay and transgender and cultural/recreational groups such as artists.

Community stations are not permitted to raise more than 50% of operating costs through on-air advertising and/or sponsorship; the remainder of operating income must be met through other sources. This can include public funding via grants, donor income, lottery funding or charities.

UK Community radio stations are licenced by Ofcom, the government communications regulator.