Asian radio stations warn of rising costs as DCMS considers DTT switch‑off
The Department for Culture, Media & Sport has released its Green Paper Watch This Space: A new strategic direction for UK media, outlining early plans for the long‑term future of Digital Terrestrial Television. Although the proposals focus on TV, the consequences for analogue radio, particularly commercial Asian stations such as Sunrise Radio, Lyca Radio, Lyca Gold, Radio XL and Sabras Radio, could be far‑reaching.
DCMS is consulting on two possible timelines for a full transition to internet‑only TV: 2034 or 2044. While this appears to be a television issue, many DTT transmission sites also carry FM and AM services. If TV vacates these sites, the shared cost structure collapses — leaving analogue radio broadcasters to shoulder significantly higher transmission bills or face the prospect of losing long‑established coverage.
For Asian commercial stations, this is not a marginal concern. Their audiences include older listeners, new arrivals and communities who still rely heavily on FM and AM for daily news, music and cultural programming. A sudden rise in transmission costs could force stations to scale back coverage, move prematurely to digital‑only platforms, or in some cases question whether analogue broadcasting remains financially viable at all.
Radiocentre is preparing a detailed impact assessment on how a DTT switch‑off would affect the radio sector and will respond to the consultation before it closes on 31 August. The organisation is also working with DCMS on the Digital Radio & Audio Review, due later this year, which will help shape the future of radio distribution.
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Radiocentre CEO Matt Payton welcomed the government’s focus on future media access but warned that broadcast radio remains essential for millions of listeners. He stressed that while online listening is growing, analogue and digital broadcast platforms will continue to matter well beyond 2034. Payton said that an early DTT switch‑off would create major cost pressures for radio and urged the government to ensure radio’s long‑term availability is properly protected.
For Asian commercial stations, many of which have served their communities for decades — the stakes are particularly high. Any shift in transmission policy must recognise their role, their audiences and the practical realities of how people still listen today.
