Does OFFCOM require radio stations to play a certain ratio of talking to music?

Question

I was annoyed at a rock radio station I listen to and how they have far too much talking and adverts rather than music. When I was making breakfast once, I flicked between two stations and the rock one didn't have music during a twenty minute period!

So I decided to complain and actually got a response from the DJ, who said:

"Our commitment to OFFCOM is 45% speech on the breakfast programme and that’s carved in stone !! It includes : news, competitions, weather, regular traffic reports and general chit chat, but doesn’t count adverts !!"

So does this mean they are required by OFFCOM to only have 55% music on outside of adverts? Or is it their interpretation of the rules? I'm sure I've listened to other stations that have it differently.

David14 · Accepted Answer

First, it's OFCOM, and there is no such rule.

Clive J · Answer

When a station applies for a commercial station OFFCOM will set out conditions for the licence on offer.

The conditions will be different each time because OFFCOM will consider what other stations are providing in the same area.

This is why OFFCOM has in the past closed stations who have breached their licence.

Anonymous · Answer

the radio stationp pay money to obtain a frequency and ariel transmission,this at first will  be accepted by ofcom depending on your type of music,if it goes ahead u get 6 mth then a year after that 5 years and so on........the price can be extremly expensive for a new syyle of muic fm station though.The best way to broadcast is now by net and cable/sky broadcast.

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Does OFFCOM require radio stations to play a certain ratio of talking to music?

3 Answers