Ofcom opens public consultation to improve transparency on digital radio costs
Ofcom has opened a public consultation on new proposals aimed at improving transparency in the digital radio sector.
The regulator is considering a requirement for digital radio multiplex operators to publish up-to-date ‘rate cards’ detailing the charges levied on radio stations for carriage.
The proposed condition mirrors an existing obligation already applied to small-scale DAB multiplex operators. By extending this requirement to larger multiplexes, Ofcom intends to ensure that radio services—particularly smaller and independent broadcasters—have clearer visibility of the costs involved in securing carriage.
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The consultation is open for responses until 4 November 2025, with a final decision expected in early 2026.
If implemented, the measure would affect major operators such as Arqiva, which has historically maintained strict confidentiality around its pricing structure. Arqiva is known to only disclose rates after potential clients sign non-disclosure agreements, a practice that Ofcom believes may hinder fair market access.
