From OFCOM:
Community AM
What we said
3.61 In our February 2026 Consultation we did not include the provision of new opportunities for
AM community radio licensing in our list of proposed priorities, given the challenges faced
by AM broadcasters (such as the high operating costs associated with maintaining the AM
transmission infrastructure).
3.62 For existing AM licences, we said that we would continue to accept and prioritise
applications for duration extensions and technical changes.
What respondents said
3.63 Ofcom received no consultation responses supporting our proposed approach to no longer
license new AM radio services.
3.64 Radio Caroline, an existing AM community radio licensee, expressed an interest in making
an application for a technical change, supported by a response from Kevin Davies.
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3.65 Radio Caroline’s response challenged some of the positions we set out regarding AM in the
consultation. Specifically, Radio Caroline said “we firmly believe that it [a sunset date for
AM broadcasting] should be for the listeners to decide which technology is to be used, not
the whim of a government or industry pressure group”.86 Their response also set out its
response to high energy consumption of AM transmission, explaining their use of solar
power to increase energy efficiency with their broadcasts, while also setting out that their
“audience is continuously growing”.87 Radio Caroline also called on Ofcom to consider
More via the link below:

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/consultations/category-2-6-weeks/ofcom-proposed-strategic-approach-to-broadcast-radio-licensing/statement-docs/statement-licensing-priorities-for-broadcast-radio.pdf?v=425320&fbclid=IwY2xjawUXv9JwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4BffTWT4-1oVo0bJzADjThSMdFv2UOUA-1wRox2wK0Y_bsXGn-KuNZ6Y_Krw_aem_z9jteWAN-ctRuD7LZSneAg