Local Radio

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 1:47 pm on 12 January 2010.

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Photo of Siôn Simon Siôn Simon Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Culture, Media and Sport 1:47, 12 January 2010

Yes, I am happy to meet Members who are interested. I have another meeting scheduled with local radio operators from all over the country, which will be under the same auspices as my recent meeting with them.

I am not sure whether I have enough time to continue. I do, so let me be clear: we see a digital future for all radio eventually. However, with more than 50 BBC services, nearly 350 commercial stations, 200 licensed community stations, the current infrastructure will not support a move to digital for everybody. For small commercial and community stations, the coverage area and the cost of carriage of a digital multiplex are too great. That is one reason why, for the time being, we believe that those stations are best served by continuing to broadcast on FM.