Ofcom consults on digital radio multiplex information requirements

Background 

Under the Media Act 2024 (the “Act”), Ofcom must include certain licence conditions in local and national multiplex licences. These will seek to ensure that such operators publish information on the fees they charge to radio stations for carriage over their multiplex. This aims to improve transparency around costs.

As such, on 10 September 2025, Ofcom published a consultation setting out its proposed license condition.

Ofcom’s Proposal

Ofcom proposes to include the following licence condition in radio multiplex operators’ licences:

“The Licensee shall publish, and keep up-to-date, a rate card showing payments to be made by the holders of community, local and national digital sound programme licences for the broadcasting of their services under the licence.”

This condition is similar to that already applied to small-scale multiplex licensees and is justified by Ofcom on the basis that rate cards typically provide sufficient information for negotiating charges. Importantly, the proposal relates to payments “to be made” and not the actual payments themselves. It should however be noted that, where necessary, Ofcom may require multiplex operators to provide it with data regarding actual payments.

Ofcom expects compliance to be straightforward, with total costs estimated to be, on average, under £400 per multiplex per year, or under £120,000 across all 64 multiplexes over a five-year period.

Next Steps

The consultation will remain open until 4 November 2025. Ofcom will then publish a statement setting out its final decision in early 2026. All licensees will then be invited to submit representations on the proposed licence variation, following which Ofcom will issue a final variation notice and a revised licence. For the latest updates, please refer to Ofcom’s interactive timetable.

We are watching the Media Act’s progress along the roadmap for implementation, so keep an eye out for our updates on our dedicated CMS Media Act Tracker. If you would like to discuss any aspect of the Media Act or how it may affect you, please get in touch.

Co-Authored by Helena Thornby, Trainee Solicitor at CMS