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Ofcom gives Lyca Radio nod to drop local news

Lyca Radio has been given the green-light to drop local news from its output.

The London station had put in a request for a format change from its current requirement to broadcast local news hourly during weekday daytimes.

In its application, Lyca Radio said, “Our Format change proposal is consistent with Ofcom’s policy of allowing regional stations to share programming, a policy designed to encourage growth of UK-wide DAB services. As a result, if Lyca provides a UK wide version on DAB, it is entitled to be relieved of current localness obligations. Lyca Radio will invest further in our music offering, attending outside events and in DAB distribution nationally with the result that listeners across the UK will be offered a greater range and diversity of content. Lyca Radio was awarded a licence in December 2017 to broadcast on the national DAB SDL multiplex.”

It added, “The role of AM radio is changing and it has proven itself to be fertile ground for great innovative new ways of programming our station and at the same time not straying from our actual character of service and delivery. We feel we are uniquely positioned to make a significant contribution to complement our audience both on AM, DAB and soon to launch our national DAB service.”

Ofcom agreed this format change request.