Beat of the Community Pulse Radio

Community Radio for Cheddar Valley and Surrounding Areas of Somerset. You will be able to tune in on FM and online, subject to our pending Ofcom licence application. We are a volunteer based, not-for-profit, community owned company, with NO shares, Pulse Radio intends to broadcast on 105 FM complementing our existing online service.

What to expect from Pulse.

The definition of community radio and the selection criteria that Ofcom must have regard to when selecting licensees are set out below.

Eligibility criteria

The ‘characteristics of a community radio service’ are set out by the Community Radio Order. To be eligible for a community radio licence, a proposed service must:

• Be provided primarily for the good of members of the public or of particular communities and in order to deliver social gain, rather than primarily for commercial reasons or for the financial or other material gain of the individuals providing the service.
• Be intended primarily to serve one or more communities (a community is defined as either people who live or work or undergo education or training in a particular area or locality, or people who have one or more interests or characteristics in common).
• Not be provided in order to make a financial profit, and uses any profit produced wholly and exclusively to secure or improve the future provision of the service or for the delivery of social gain to members of the public or the target community.
• Offer members of the target community opportunities to participate in the operation and management of the service.
• Be accountable to the target community.

In addition, the Order states that:

• Only bodies corporate (i.e. not individuals) can apply for community radio licences.
• No group may hold more than one community radio licence.
• There are ownership restrictions which prevent the holders of other broadcasting licences from holding community radio licences. These rules do not apply to holders of Restricted Service Licences (television or radio), Radio Licensable Content Services, Television Licensable Content Services, or Digital Sound Programme Service licences.
• Licences are for a maximum of five years.

Social gain

The delivery of ‘social gain’ is a crucial element of community radio. The draft Order was amended following Government’s consultation earlier this year, and the definition of ‘social gain’ in the Order now sets out certain mandatory requirements, as well as examples of further social gain aims that stations might wish to work towards.

Applicants must put forward proposals for achieving the following social gain objectives, in respect of individuals or groups of individuals in the community that the service is intended to serve:

• The provision of radio services to groups that are otherwise underserved by (analogue) commercial radio services in the area.
• The facilitation of discussion and the expression of opinion.
• The provision (whether by means of programmes included in the service or otherwise) of education or training to individuals not employed by the person providing the service.
• The better understanding of the particular community and the strengthening of links within it.

In addition, the Order sets out examples of further objectives of a social nature that community radio operators might achieve:

• The delivery of services provided by local authorities and other services of a social nature, the increasing and wider dissemination of knowledge about those services and about local amenities.
• The promotion of economic development and of social enterprise.
• The promotion of employment.
• The provision of opportunities for the gaining of work experience.
• The promotion of social inclusion.
• The promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity.
• The promotion of civic participation and volunteering.

Selection criteria

There are now eight criteria that Ofcom is required to take into account when deciding whether, or to whom, to award a community radio licence:

• The ability of each applicant to maintain the service they propose to provide throughout the licence period.
• The extent that the proposed service would cater for the tastes and interests of persons comprising the relevant community.
• The extent to which the proposed service would broaden the range of programmes on local services available in the area, and, in particular, the extent to which the service would be of a nature or have a content distinct from that of any other local (i.e. local and community) service which would overlap with the licence for the proposed service.
• The extent of local demand or support for the provision of the proposed service.
• The extent to which the proposed service would result in the delivery of social gain to the public or relevant community.
• Provisions for ensuring accountability to the relevant community.
• Provision for access by members of the relevant community to the facilities to be used for the provision of the service and for their training in the use of those facilities.
• Ofcom must also have regard to the need to ensure that any community service does not prejudice unduly the economic viability of any other local commercial radio service.

The application form for a community radio licence must reflect all of these requirements, as well as some additional requirements in the legislation, such as transmission details. The form and accompanying notes of guidance are being made available at the same time as this statement. The notes of guidance will encompass Ofcom’s community radio policy, as well as requirements from the Order and other broadcasting legislation.

Potential economic impact on commercial radio

During an Ofcom consultation the question which prompted the most feedback was that regarding our proposals to invite submissions from commercial radio operators if they considered that their economic viability might be affected by the provision of a community radio service.

Small-scale commercial stations, many of which operate at a very low margin of profitability, were concerned that community radio services were being allowed to compete with them for advertising and sponsorship revenue at all, and were also concerned that they would have insufficient staff resources to gather evidence of potential harm to present to Ofcom. Prospective community radio licence applicants were concerned that they would be expected to counteract any arguments put forward by commercial stations, when they had neither the expertise nor access to the necessary market information to do this.

The Community Radio Order requirements have changed in this area. The Order now sets out three rules that relate to this issue, as follows:

• There should be no community radio stations licensed with a coverage area which would overlap by 50% or more with the measured coverage area (MCA) of an existing commercial radio station which contains 50,000 adults1 or fewer (the ‘first tier’);
• Any community radio station with a coverage area which overlaps by 50% or more with a commercial radio station with an MCA which contains more than 50,000 adults and fewer than 150,0001 adults will not be allowed to take any advertising or programme sponsorship (the ‘second tier’); 2
• Ofcom should have regard to the need to ensure that any community radio service does not prejudice unduly the economic viability of any other local service (‘third tier’).

A list of the adult population figures for commercial radio MCAs can be found on our website, at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/licensing_numbering/radio_sound_broadcasting/commercial_radio/Licensing Community Radio

It is important to note that Ofcom has no power to vary the first and second tier rules as they are set by the legislation, nor can they choose to be flexible in their application. (‘Overlaps’ refers to overlaps in population, not area. Overlaps apply both ways; that is a community service overlapping with a commercial service and vice versa.)

The first and second tier of rules require a straightforward assessment using adult population figures and checking for overlaps between commercial and community services. In all other cases Ofcom is required to include conditions in each licence regarding the proportion of income from paid-for advertising and programme sponsorship, with the aim of ensuring that a new community radio service does not unduly prejudice the economic viability of any other (non-BBC) local commercial radio service. We no longer intend to invite commercial radio operators to submit evidence of potential economic impact of proposed services; nor will we expect community radio applicants to provide input. Instead an assessment will be conducted by Ofcom and any decisions to vary the limit on advertising and sponsorship income to a level lower than that specified in the legislation will be made by the Radio Licensing Committee (the Order gives Ofcom power to impose other licence conditions relating to advertising and sponsorship if it thinks it appropriate to do so, to avoid undue prejudice to the economic viability of another local radio service).

Funding

In the consultation Ofcom asked for views on whether there should be a general limit of 50% of annual income from the sale of advertising and sponsorship, or whether this should be decided on a case-by-case basis. There was a wide range of responses.

Many respondents were opposed to the principle of setting a rule, as it was seen as primarily being designed to protect commercial stations, and restrain the development of community radio services. Some commercial operators argued that community radio stations should not be permitted to sell advertising or sponsorship at all, while some prospective community radio operators suggested the complete opposite, i.e. that there should be no limit on how much income from advertising or sponsorship a community radio station is permitted to gain.

A number of other respondents argued that a case-by-case basis was the most sensible way forward as circumstances vary from area to area, although there was a concern that commercial radio operators would be able to influence case-bycase decisions. It was also suggested that case-by-case decisions would lead to greater uncertainty for applicants.

Overall, however, there was a feeling that for a healthy community radio sector, there needs to be a diversity of funding. This chimes with Professor Anthony 2 Corrected on 1st September 2004 to reflect that under the Community Radio Order 2004 the scope of the second tier restriction is not limited to existing commercial services only.

Everitt’s recommendation, in ‘New Voices’, that: “just as it would be wrong for community radio to be totally reliant on subsidy, a vision of full commercial viability should also be resisted. It is important that community radio retains its social orientation and does not risk diluting its community aspirations. Accordingly a ceiling should be set for commercial earnings.”

Government has decided to set some limits on funding, and introduced the following rules into the Order:

• Where advertising and programme sponsorship is permitted there will be an upper limit of 50% of income that may be generated from these sources (Ofcom has the power to vary this limit downwards only).
• A community radio licence holder should not receive more than 50% of its funding each year from any one source (i.e. from a company, organisation or person).

The restrictions on income from sponsorship refer to the sponsorship of programmes included in the service. This means that income from the sponsorship of anything that is not broadcast is excluded from these limits (for example, sponsorship of a station event, website or training scheme). Sponsorship “for purposes that are wholly or mainly philanthropic in nature” is also excluded from the restriction. We intend to classify such sponsorship as a donation, and as such it may be credited on-air but must be distinguishable from commercial sponsorship (and may not contain a sales message, for example).

In addition, Government has lifted the 1990 Broadcasting Act restriction that would disqualify the holding of a licence by an organisation which received more than 50% of its funding from public sources in the previous year.

‘Research Works’:
MANAGEMENT SUMMARY OF RESEARCH FINDINGS MAY 2004

1. BACKGROUND, METHOD AND SAMPLE
In 2001, the Radio Authority launched an experiment into Community Radio designed to test the sustainability of a separate tier of small-scale community services. Fifteen not-for-profit projects, aiming to deliver social gain to specific neighbourhoods or communities of interest, were offered one-year licences. The term of these licences was extended to December 2003 and was further extended to December 2004. There are currently fourteen stations broadcasting.

Each station has a ‘promise of delivery’ that sets out its programme promises, but also its aims in terms of social gain and access. These vary from station to station but might include:

− training opportunities
− work experience opportunities
− contribution to tackling social exclusion
− contribution to local education
− service to neighbourhood or interest groups
− access to the project for local people (some of the projects have recruited hundreds of volunteers; some are run entirely by volunteers).

Ofcom wished to build on its knowledge of Community Radio and, as part of a consultation exercise regarding how stations might be licensed and regulated, wanted to understand the opinions of listeners to the pilot stations currently on-air, as well as evaluating any impacts on the communities in which these projects are operating.

In January 2004, Ofcom commissioned research agency Research Works to conduct an in-depth piece of independent research into this area. The specific objective of this research was to assess the overall impact of Community Radio in terms of who is listening and what benefits these listeners feel are being delivered, both on a personal and social level. The findings were considered according to the needs of three distinct target audiences: listeners, station participants and community leaders.

The four stations chosen for this study were selected to represent a mix of Community Radio projects:

- two stations serving communities of place (Forest of Dean Radio and ALL FM in Manchester)
- two stations serving communities of interest: Awaz FM (the Asian audience in Glasgow) and Angel Radio (people over 60 in the Havant area).
Equally, the four stations chosen offered a range in terms of geographical location - Awaz in Glasgow, ALL in Manchester, Forest of Dean in the English/Welsh borders and Angel on the south coast of England – as well as a variety of socio-economic settings (Forest of Dean is rural/disadvantaged, ALL FM serves a diverse and disadvantaged area of urban Manchester, Angel serves a mainly retired/middle-class area, while Awaz serves the entire Asian community living in central Glasgow).

In terms of the research approach, there were two-phases - comprising both quantitative and qualitative research. The quantitative research was conducted as instreet interviews in a range of relevant locations, while the qualitative research comprised a mix of individual depth interviews and focus group discussions. A pilot phase of qualitative research was conducted, in order to familiarise the researchers with the station areas and audiences.

The quantitative sample was made up of radio listeners in the areas covered by the community stations - quota controlled to reflect the target audience for the individual stations (i.e. people over 60 for Angel Radio and the Asian Community for Awaz FM). In each of the four station locations, the qualitative phase of research addressed the three audiences (listeners, station participants and community leaders) separately.

The fieldwork conducted for this study comprised the following:

In more detail:

Awaz FM: 325 quantitative in-street interviews were completed plus qualitative research comprising: three focus groups and four depths with Indian and Pakistani listeners (Male and Female, aged 18-50). One depth, one paired depth and one triad with station participants (Male and Female, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh). There were also three depth interviews with community leaders - from local charities, community development and the police.

Angel Radio: 304 quantitative in-street interviews plus qualitative research comprising: two focus groups and four depths with listeners (Male and Female, 60+) and one group with station participants (Male and Female, 60+). There were also three depth interviews with community leaders from local charities, social services and health services.

Forest of Dean Radio: 428 quantitative in-street interviews were completed plus qualitative research comprising: two focus groups and four depths with listeners (Male and Female, aged 25-45). A paired-depth and four depths with station participants (Male and Female). There were also three depth interviews with community leaders - from community youth project, historical society and local housing services.

ALL FM: 685 quantitative in-street interviews were completed plus qualitative research comprising: two focus groups and four depths with listeners (Male and Female, aged 25-45). Three depths with station participants (Male and Female). There were also three depth interviews with community leaders - from the police, community development and education services.

2. SUMMARY OF RESEARCH FINDINGS
A summary of the research findings for Awaz FM follows:

Station Profile: Awaz FM serves all parts of the Asian community in Glasgow, which comprises approximately thirty thousand people. There are no other analogue radio broadcasters in the area specifically serving this target audience, although broad-based, national and local, Asian programming can be obtained through digital media (digital radio, Internet, Digital TV). The station is based in the heart of Glasgow and broadcasts twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, offering programmes in a variety of Asian languages and mixing speech and music. BBC local and national radio is also available to this audience, alongside a number of local commercial stations.

Quantitative Data: Spontaneous awareness of Awaz FM was remarkable - 60% of the total sample were spontaneously aware of the station, while another 31% recalled Awaz after prompting. 73% of the total sample indicated that Awaz FM was one of the stations they ‘ever listen to’, while 59% of the sample stated that Awaz FM was the radio station ‘most listened to’.

Listeners to Awaz FM were extremely enthusiastic - 79% are listening every day, 62% of the sample listen for 3 hours + each day and 38% say that they listen throughout the day (weekdays and weekends). Favourite programmes were the breakfast, drive-time and early evening shows. A majority - 56% - have been in touch with Awaz FM: 47% have taken part in phone-ins and 17% have been to an event organised by Awaz.

Non-listeners have typically never experienced the station – 69% have never listened to Awaz FM, but there were some active rejecters: 20% did not like the variety of programmes, while 13% had tried it once and did not like it. This is, however, an exceptionally satisfied audience: 94% of listeners rated Awaz FM as very good or good. Awareness of Awaz’s community status was very good - 98% of the listeners knew that Awaz FM is a community station, 98% that it is run for the benefit of the Asian community and 95% that it is there for the community to take part in.

Qualitative Data: Amongst listeners, it was clear that radio Awaz is extremely popular across the Glasgow Asian community regardless of age, gender, religious group (Muslim, Hindu and Sikh) and ethnic group (Pakistani and Indian). This community is proud to have a coherent identity (Glaswegian Asian) which Awaz is perceived to champion.

Listeners were generally very knowledgeable about programmes (for example noting that there is currently no Hindu religious content) and presenters, tending to have favourites. Awaz was felt to be making a significant contribution to the community in terms of information and entertainment. Equally, respondents explained that Awaz provides a meeting place for all members of the community and therefore offers a unique space for listeners to articulate cultural and religious issues and to be informed about health and social issues. Parents reported that hearing Asian languages on the radio helped develop their children’s language skills and contributed to their cultural education.

Station participants represented the diversity of the Glasgow Asian community in terms of gender, age, ethnic and religious background. All felt that they gained satisfaction from being part of a community enterprise and recognised (from the feedback provided by listeners) that they were making a valuable contribution. Volunteering is seemingly increasing in popularity and training is becoming more formalised, with participants attending training courses run by an external expert.

Community leaders reported close, on-going, links with the station, since it had first started broadcasting, centred on supporting, organising and promoting community initiatives, whether by advertising events or promoting health and social messages. Overall, initial expectations had been exceeded, with local organisers noting an increased sense of public confidence in terms of accessing services and overt pride in being part of a unique and distinct community.

A summary of the research findings for Angel Radio follows:

Station Profile: Angel Radio is based in Havant, a small town on the south coast of England, located close to Portsmouth. It is primarily a ‘new town’ with a centre developed in the 1950s and has a large retired population. Angel Radio broadcasts from its own town centre premises, which - apart from the station studios and offices – includes a shop and drop-in area.

Listeners are encouraged to visit Angel at any time. The station broadcasts twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, and offers a strong mix of music aimed at its target audience, adults aged sixty-plus (the station policy is that no music will be played which was recorded after 1959). Programming also includes a strong element of `reminiscence therapy’ during which presenters are encouraged to talk about their lives and experiences while playing music of their choice. BBC local and national radio is also available to this audience, alongside a number of local commercial stations.

Quantitative Data: Spontaneous awareness of Angel Radio was good: 19% of the total sample were spontaneously aware of the station, while another 31% recalled Angel after prompting. 23% of the total sample indicated that Angel Radio was one of the stations they ‘ever listen to’, while 11% stated that Angel Radio was the radio station ‘most listened to’.

Listeners to Angel radio were enthusiasts: 51% are listening every day, 39% of the sample listen for 3 hours + each day, 35% say that they listen throughout the day (weekdays and weekends) – with 13% saying that they listen throughout the day and night! Favourite programmes were big band and oldtime dance music. A majority - 68% - have not been in touch with Angel Radio, but those that have typically took part in phone-ins, while some have visited the station.

Non-listeners have typically never experienced the station – 80% have never listened to Angel Radio. Overall, this is a very satisfied audience: 95% of listeners rated Angel Radio as very good or good. Equally there was good awareness of Angel’s community status - 96% of the listeners knew that Angel Radio is a community station, 93% that it is run for the benefit of the older community and 88% that it is there for the community to take part in.

Qualitative Data: A majority of listeners were firm fans of Angel, listening regularly on a daily basis. All supported Angel’s focus on relevant music, which was noted as a clear point of difference with other radio stations – the idea of less chat and more music was positively endorsed. There was consistent praise for the style of programmes, particularly theme days, quizzes, phone-ins, requests; these were seen as seen as good fun, “involving” and “thought-provoking”.

Angel was typically described as “friendly”, “nostalgic”, “for me”, “for my age group”, “different”, and effective at “bringing people together”. Most of the listeners were aware that Angel is a community station manned by volunteers and felt that it positively enhanced the confidence of older people – “other stations forget about us…”. Listeners were very aware of the station’s financial problems and were keen to see improvements in the business footing of Angel Radio that will guarantee its survival.

The station participants were a strong, dedicated and enthusiastic group, ranging in age and background. All had been keen listeners to Angel prior to volunteering – and their decision to volunteer had typically been triggered by either a life change (bereavement, retirement) or specific enthusiasm for the station's aims and output.

All participants clearly felt rejuvenated by their involvement with Angel and highlighted specific gains such as learning new skills, meeting new people and “engaging your brain…having a worthwhile focus in your life”. This group strongly believed that Angel contributed to their community in terms of: help and support for older people, understanding of the needs of older people and providing an access point for information and support. Again, participants were extremely conscious of the precarious nature of the station’s finances.

Community leaders were very supportive of Angel FM, feeling that it has provided them with an opportunity to engage with the older community. They saw the station as tailored to the needs of the elderly and bringing the community together. A specific gain is that Angel reaches many excluded, vulnerable people. All respondents noted positive social gains, including more contacts from elderly people, enhanced confidence on the part of those making contact and improved access to relevant information on local services and issues.

A summary of the research findings for Forest of Dean Radio (FODR) follows:

Station Profile: The Forest of Dean is a predominantly rural area, located between Ross-on-Wye in the north and Chepstow in the south, with the Welsh border on its western flank and the River Severn forming its eastern border. There are a few large towns scattered throughout the Forest area, but these are rather isolated and public transport links are poor. The population has been affected by the decline of local businesses and industries – and unemployment is high.

Forest of Dean Radio broadcasts irregularly and most programming is available at the weekends (during the course of this research a regular daily breakfast and early evening show was added to the schedule). When new programming is not available, the station typically broadcasts taped music output or ‘looped’ music. The programming is diverse, covering local issues, sport and music. There are significant reception problems throughout the Forest area, which affect national and commercial radio as well as FODR programmes (and also mobile phone reception). Reception can be particularly poor during the evening.

Quantitative Data: Spontaneous awareness of FODR was reasonably good: 15% of the total sample were spontaneously aware of the station, while another 50% recalled FODR after prompting. 11% of the sample indicated that that FODR was one of the stations they ‘ever listen to’ - 1% of the sample stated that FODR was the radio station ‘most listened to’.

Listeners were obviously affected by the inconsistent programming - 62% listen once a week or less often and 67% listen for one hour or less. 24% do not listen at all at weekends. Favourite programmes were local news and chat, the breakfast show and music shows.

A majority - 73% - have not been in touch with FODR: of those that have, 9% have taken part in interviews and 9% have been to an event organised by FODR. Non-listeners have typically never experienced the station – 72% have never listened to FODR, but there were also some obvious reception/programming problems: 17% of non-listeners said that they cannot find the station, while 9% said that FODR is not on enough or that they are not sure when it is on.

This is, however, a relatively satisfied audience: 74% of listeners rated FODR as very good or good. Awareness of FODR’s status was good - 89% of the listeners know that FODR is a community station, 89% know that it is run for the benefit of the local community and 89% that it is there for the community to take part in.

Qualitative Data: Listeners were typically ‘Foresters’ or had lived in the Forest of Dean for a long time (30+ years). They were principally from middle/lower socio Licensing Community Radio economic groups. The majority of respondents were listening to a range of other local stations. Respondents preferred to hear a presenter rather than repeated taped music - and therefore listened more frequently from Thursday to Saturday (although some were disappointed at the repetition quality at these times). Some were aware of the station schedule but most saw the programming as largely random. There was some recall of regular programmes e.g. ‘Sit Down and Listen’, ‘Forestwide’ and ‘Classical hour’. Regular listeners were very enthusiastic about the station, seeing it as idiosyncratic and friendly.

Listeners wanted better reception, more live shows, less repetition, phone ins, debates, requests and the continuation of a Forest of Dean focus for programming. FODR was seen as unlike any other radio station, reinforcing the listeners’ sense of belonging and providing new understanding about the place in which they live. Listeners were typically aware that FODR is community radio and understood this to mean catering for small and isolated communities – bringing them together and celebrating ‘localness‘. Respondents felt that the station offered specific social gains and a sense of cohesion within the Forest (which is often ignored by more prosperous regional neighbours) specifically highlighting its issues, events and history. The most common complaint from listeners concerned the inconsistent nature of the programming, which effectively discourages regular listening.

Station participants were typically Foresters and had particular (often artistic) interests or talents i.e. poetry, art, history and music. Several volunteers were unemployed, while others worked part time and a small number were retired. All volunteers claimed to have gained confidence through the development of writing, technical, social and personal skills. Most appreciated the opportunity to promote local artists, writers and musicians as well as the chance to gain practical radio experience. Some station participants, however, reflected the concerns of listeners about the irregular nature of FODR’s programming.

Community leaders had become associated with FODR through involvement with specific initiatives e.g. housing, and had been asked to produce shows covering local problems and offering relevant advice. Respondents felt that the community, through FODR, have been given a unique opportunity to address specific problems on air. Most believed that that traditional Foresters typically lack self esteem, confidence and suffer as a consequence of low aspirations – respondents felt that the station has been extremely successful at developing the talents of local people by making and delivering programmes.

A summary of the research findings for ALL FM follows:

Station Profile: ALL FM broadcasts to the Ardwick, Longsight and Levenshulme area of Manchester. These three communities lie along a main road (the A6) and represent a disadvantaged area of the city, comprising a wide mix of ethnic groups in a strongly urban setting, affected by high unemployment and poor housing/facilities.

The station broadcasts twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, offering an eclectic mix of programmes serving many of the different communities living in the area. There is a mix of speech and music programming. BBC national and local radio, as well as local commercial radio, is also available in the area.

Quantitative Data: Spontaneous awareness of ALL FM was relatively low - 9% of the total sample were spontaneously aware of the station, while another 28% recalled ALL after prompting. 12% of the total sample indicated that ALL FM was one of the stations they ‘ever listen to’, while 2% stated that ALL FM was the radio station ‘most listened to’. Listening seems sporadic, with only 17% listening every day and 38% listening once a week or less often.

They typically listen for shorter periods, with 50% listening for between 1 and 3 hours daily and 30% listening for one hour or less. 32% say that they mainly listen in the evening (weekdays and less at weekends). Favourite programmes were music programmes, particularly garage music. A majority - 62% - have not been in touch with ALL FM, but those that have typically took part in phone-ins, have been interviewed, have volunteered to help or visited ALL.

Non-listeners have typically never experienced the station – 87% have never listened to ALL FM. This is, nevertheless, a satisfied audience: 94% of listeners rated ALL FM as very good or good. Equally, awareness of ALL’s community status was good: 95% of the listeners know that ALL FM is a community station, 93% that it is run for the benefit of the local community and 90% that it is there for the community to take part in.

Qualitative Data: ALL FM listeners were diverse in terms of age (16-55 years old) and ethnicity (including white, African Caribbean and Asian listeners). There was a bias towards the C2DE socio-economic groups and students. Listening tended to be ad-hoc (e.g. in the car or in the background at home) with a minority tuning in to specific shows (e.g. Friday and Saturday evening for R&B / Funk shows, On Eire on Sundays). Detailed knowledge of the station was limited with listeners having very little knowledge of actual programming except a general perception of eclectic music and ethnically-specific shows. Feedback from listeners focussed on the music mix.

There was no real knowledge of presenters or news programmes. In principle, respondents supported the need to appeal to the whole community - in practice, however, the diverse range of music on offer did not encourage consistent listening.

Most were aware that ALL FM was a community radio station, but understanding of the term varied. Listeners felt that ALL FM was attempting to bring the range of cultures together, highlight local issues and promote local groups. ALL FM was considered successful in raising awareness of the range of different ethnic groups in the area and (for those that listened to ethnic programmes) encouraging interest in different cultures and styles of music. There were, however, doubts expressed about the coherence of the ALL community concept – while respondents certainly felt a sense of community towards their own particular area (i.e. Ardwick, Longsight and Levenshulme), they were much less sure that the three areas truly comprised a single community of place.

Station participants were predominantly young (18-30 years) and from lower socio economic groups, with several unemployed. There were also some older presenters and presenters from specific communities. Volunteers typically had an interest in a specific music type or issue. Reasons for volunteering included career progression as well as personal development, involvement in the community and issue specific roles. Participation resulted in increased confidence, increased knowledge and skills in media as well as a sense of involvement in the community.

Community leaders had typically been actively involved with the station, presenting programmes relating to their areas of interest e.g. housing and community development. Respondents used their shows to highlight relevant issues, interview guests, answer questions and play music. All felt that ALL FM has created a stage for facilitating and recognising the needs of the many ethnic groups in the area, and highlighted their culture and music. Additionally, they believed that the station has included and developed local talent in the form of presenters, DJs and sound
engineers.

3. CONCLUSIONS
The research data clearly indicates that the Community Radio experiment should be viewed as successful:

- significant numbers of the radio-listening population in the four station areas are aware of, and listening to, Community Radio
- both those listening to, and participating in, Community Radio generally say that it enhances their personal well-being and sense of community
- community leaders typically see Community Radio as delivering tangible benefits for their local communities.

Overall, the public typically perceives Community Radio as well-run, relevant and entertaining - and clearly different to the existing radio product offered by either commercial or public broadcasters.

It was, however, very apparent from the results of the research that the concept of community radio is easier to communicate amongst an audience of ‘interest’, rather than an audience of ‘place’:

- in the former instance, relevant groups quickly identified that the station is `for them’ and spotted that participation/involvement is being invited
- communities of interest expressed an emotional investment in their community, as well as very clear reference parameters for identifying relevance and meaning in broadcast content
- communities of place suffer from variable coherence in terms of their sense of community - some communities are more conceptual than actual, while others
suffer from blurred boundaries and the absence of a core philosophy to bind the audience together
- consequently, listeners seemed to take much longer to recognise that the station is ‘for them’ and that participation/involvement is being sought.

A number of specific observations can be made as a consequence of the research:

Awaz FM can only be viewed as a phenomenal success in terms of reaching a majority of its target audience and encouraging high rates of participation, interest and reported social gain.

Angel Radio should also be viewed as hugely successful in terms of quality of delivery and social impact amongst a very vulnerable audience. Angel, however, clearly demonstrates that commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism are not enough - business experience and acumen are also required in order to run successful Community Radio. Both listeners and participants were well aware that it will be necessary to establish financial stability, if the station is to continue to operate (and the consequences of it ceasing to broadcast would be significant for many of the vulnerable, elderly listeners).

Forest of Dean Radio is obviously producing extremely popular output and is succeeding in creating a real sense of community for an area which typically sees itself as marginalised and forgotten. It is obvious, however, that lack of consistent programme output (along with, to a lesser extent, reception problems) is holding back the valuable work being undertaken. Both listeners and participants felt that the slow process of building community partnerships must not determine the quantity of programming produced. There was a consistently recognised need to make more programmes more speedily.

ALL FM is well-liked by listeners and produces a high standard of varied programme output. It suffers, however, from serving an area which often does not see itself as a single community. Many listeners felt that the station is trying to please too many audiences by providing such a diverse programme output that listeners felt they could never be certain ‘what is going to be on’. Consequently, the station seems to have become primarily known for dance music, amongst a relatively small, young, audience. Its community outputs were not well recognised amongst listeners.

Research Works
May 2004

For a copy of the full report produced by Research Works, please contact the Community Radio licensing team ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Radio Planning & Licensing, Ofcom, Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HA).