Radio Multiplex Licence Variation Request Form
This form should be used for any request to vary a local or national radio multiplex licence, e.g:
• replacing one service with another • adding a service • removing a service • changing the Format description of a service • changing a service from stereo to mono • changing a service's bit-rate
Please complete all relevant parts of this form. You should submit one form per multiplex licence, but you should complete as many versions of Part 3 of this form as required (one per change). Before completing this form, applicants are strongly advised to read our published guidance on radio multiplex licence variations, which can be found at: [insert link to guidance].
Part 1 – Details of multiplex
Radio multiplex licence: DL024 – Aberdeen
Licensee: Switchdigital (Scotland) Limited
Contact name: Piers Collins
Date of request: 16th February 2016
Part 2 - Summary of multiplex line-up before and after proposed change(s)
Existing line-up of services Proposed line-up of services Service Format/name Bit-rate Stereo/ Service Format/name Bit-rate Stereo/ (kbps) Mono (kbps) Mono BBC Radio Nan Gaidheal 128/F S BBC Radio Nan Gaidheal 128/F S
BBC Radio Scotland 128/F S BBC Radio Scotland 128/F S
Northsound 1 128/F S Northsound 1 128/F S
Northsound 2 128/F S Northsound 2 128/F S
NECR 64/H M NECR 64/H M
Waves Radio 64/H M Waves Radio 64/H M talkSPORT Scotland 64H M talkSPORT Scotland 64/H M
talkSPORT 2 64/H M
talkRADIO 64/H M
Virgin Radio 80/F M
Part 3 – Details of proposed change For each proposed change you wish to make to your licence, please answer the following question and then complete the relevant sections of the rest of the application form.
This licence variation is to request the addition of three services to the Aberdeen multiplex.
Their addition would be simultaneous with each service’s launch onto the Sound Digital “Digital 2” national multiplex.
The services and launch dates are as follows:
1. talkSPORT 2 on the 15th March 2016. 2. talkRADIO on the 21st March 2016. 3. Virgin Radio on the 30th March 2016.
Details of existing service to be Details of proposed new service removed/replaced (if relevant) (if relevant)
This information should be taken from your For guidance on the style and content of DAB licence. Format descriptions, please refer to the guidance
Service provider: Service provider: UTV Media (GB) Limited
Service name: Service name: talkSPORT 2
Short form Short form Sport description: description:
Character of Character of A speech service providing service: service: coverage of a broad range of live sporting action from the UK and around the world along with complementary sports talk programming. Date you wish proposed change to be implemented 15th March 2016. Is this proposed change linked to proposed changes on A simulcast of the service on other multiplexes? If so, please provide details. the Sound Digital “Digital 2” national multiplex.
Please set out the statutory criterion, or criteria, that you believe is/are satisfied in relation to this radio multiplex licence variation request, and the reasons for this:
For details of the statutory criteria, and relevant Ofcom policies, please refer to the guidance.
This is an addition to the multiplex.
The variation is requested under section 54(6B)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1996 - that the variation would not unacceptably narrow the range of programmes available by way of local digital sound programme services to persons living in the area or locality for which the licensed multiplex service is provided.
Please provide any additional information and/or evidence in support of the proposed change:
Whilst talkSPORT2 will be available on the second national multiplex, including it on the Aberdeen multiplex will help to provide contiguous coverage.
Details of existing service to be Details of proposed new service removed/replaced (if relevant) (if relevant)
This information should be taken from your For guidance on the style and content of DAB licence. Format descriptions, please refer to the guidance
Service provider: Service provider: UTV Media (GB) Limited
Service name: Service name: talkRADIO
Short form Short form Talk description: description:
Character of Character of An engaging speech service service: service: presented by knowledgeable talk radio personalities, featuring current affairs and entertainment programming and regular UK and international news. Date you wish proposed change to be implemented 21st March 2016. Is this proposed change linked to proposed changes on A simulcast of the service on other multiplexes? If so, please provide details. the Sound Digital “Digital 2” national multiplex.
Please set out the statutory criterion, or criteria, that you believe is/are satisfied in relation to this radio multiplex licence variation request, and the reasons for this:
For details of the statutory criteria, and relevant Ofcom policies, please refer to the guidance.
This is an addition to the multiplex.
The variation is requested under section 54(6B)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1996 - that the variation would not unacceptably narrow the range of programmes available by way of local digital sound programme services to persons living in the area or locality for which the licensed multiplex service is provided.
Please provide any additional information and/or evidence in support of the proposed change:
Whilst talkRADIO will be available on the second national multiplex, including it on the Aberdeen multiplex will help to provide contiguous coverage.
Complete the following section if your request is to add, remove or replace a programme service.
Details of existing service to be Details of proposed new service removed/replaced (if relevant) (if relevant)
This information should be taken from your For guidance on the style and content of DAB licence. Format descriptions, please refer to the guidance
Service provider: Service provider: UTV Media (GB) Limited
Service name: Service name: Virgin Radio
Short form Short form Pop & Rock description: description:
Character of Character of A music service featuring service: service: classic and contemporary pop and rock hits, with established presenters at peak times. Date you wish proposed change to be implemented 30th March 2016. Is this proposed change linked to proposed changes on A simulcast of the service on other multiplexes? If so, please provide details. the Sound Digital “Digital 2” national multiplex.
Please set out the statutory criterion, or criteria, that you believe is/are satisfied in relation to this radio multiplex licence variation request, and the reasons for this:
For details of the statutory criteria, and relevant Ofcom policies, please refer to the guidance.
This is an addition to the multiplex.
The variation is requested under section 54(6B)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1996 - that the variation would not unacceptably narrow the range of programmes available by way of local digital sound programme services to persons living in the area or locality for which the licensed multiplex service is provided.
Please provide any additional information and/or evidence in support of the proposed change:
Whilst Virgin Radio will be available on the second national multiplex, including it on the Aberdeen multiplex will help to provide contiguous coverage.
Complete the following section if your request is to change the technical parameters of a service.
Existing technical characteristics of Proposed new technical characteristics service(s) to be changed For guidance on issues of technical quality, please refer to Ofcom's 'Digital Technical Code' and 'Technical Policy Guidance for DAB Multiplex Licensees'
Service provider: Service provider:
Service name Service name (long and short): (long and short):
Bit-rate: Bit-rate:
Sampling rate: Sampling rate: Service mode Service mode (Stereo or mono): (Stereo or mono):
Protection level Protection level
Date you wish proposed change to be implemented Is this proposed change linked to proposed changes on other multiplexes? If so, please provide details. Please set out the statutory criterion, or criteria, that you believe is/are satisfied in relation to this radio multiplex licence variation request, and the reasons for this: For details of the statutory criteria, and relevant Ofcom policies, please refer to the guidance.
Please provide any additional information and/or evidence in support of the proposed change:
Complete the following section in respect of any new service being added.
Multiplex /ensemble name: Aberdeen Long service name: talkSPORT 2
Short service name: tkSPORT2
Service mode (stereo/joint stereo/mono): Mono
Sampling rate (half rate@24khz/full 24k rate@48khz): Protection level (UEP, 1-5) 3
Bit-rate: 64kb/s
Does this service currently broadcast on another multiplex or another platform? If so, is this a 100% simulcast or will there be opt-outs? Please give details (including all known SIds) below:
A simulcast of the service on the Sound Digital “Digital 2” national multiplex. SId c1d8
Complete the following section in respect of any new service being added.
Multiplex /ensemble name: Aberdeen Long service name: talkRADIO
Short service name: talk
Service mode (stereo/joint stereo/mono): Mono
Sampling rate (half rate@24khz/full 24k rate@48khz): Protection level (UEP, 1-5) 3
Bit-rate: 64kb/s
Does this service currently broadcast on another multiplex or another platform? If so, is this a 100% simulcast or will there be opt-outs? Please give details (including all known SIds) below:
A simulcast of the service on the Sound Digital “Digital 2” national multiplex. SId c0d8
(Dec 2012) Complete the following section in respect of any new service being added.
Multiplex /ensemble name: Aberdeen Long service name: Virgin Radio
Short service name: Virgin
Service mode (stereo/joint stereo/mono): Mono
Sampling rate (half rate@24khz/full 48k rate@48khz): Protection level (UEP, 1-5) 3
Bit-rate: 80kb/s
Does this service currently broadcast on another multiplex or another platform? If so, is this a 100% simulcast or will there be opt-outs? Please give details (including all known SIds) below:
A simulcast of the service on the Sound Digital “Digital 2” national multiplex. SId c3d8
(Dec 2012)
Decision
Request agreed under section 54(6B)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1996 – that the variation would not unacceptably narrow the range of programmes available by way of local digital sound programme services to persons living in the area or locality for which the licensed multiplex service is provided.
February 2016