Group of Asian radio broadcasters boycott new DAB multiplex in Bradford

A number of Asian radio broadcasters in Bradford have decided to boycott the launch of the new small-scale DAB multiplex, Bradford DAB, in Bradford.

The unsuccessful applicant Bradford Multiplex Broadcasting Corporation, which intended to broadcast on DAB, have now decided not to in protest. Some of the broadcasters that formed its application included Bradford Asian Radio, Asian Radio Online, Pakistan FM Bradford, Spicefm, Fever FM, Radio Faza, Salaam BCR, Panjab Radio, Asian FX Radio, Radio Ramadan 365, Awaaz FM, Asian Radio Live, Radio Ramadhan and Fast FM.

A statement by the Asian Broadcasters & Journalists Association UK told RadioToday that Ofcom awarded the multiplex licence “to the group with the weakest local support and ignored the group with the most comprehensive local support, and was the “most controversial and influential licensing award decision” ever.

In response, Bradford DAB told RadioToday, “Ofcom considered how each applicant for the Bradford Small-scale DAB multiplex met a number of licence application award criteria. Their decision was to award the licence to Bradford Digital Media.

“We are pleased with Ofcom’s decision and are on air operating a fully compliant synchronised single frequency transmission network and we are open for business.”

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