John Baron welcomes £400,000 boost to Community Radio Stations

MP says community radio informs and entertains

The Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport has announced that community radio stations will receive £400,000 in emergency support through the Community Radio Fund. This is to support their urgent needs during the coronavirus outbreak – advertising revenues, which usually make between 25%-30% of a station’s income, having dropped significantly. Stations will soon be invited to bid for emergency grants through Ofcom to meet their core costs.

John said,

“Our community radio stations reach around a million listeners each week, contributing greatly to our communities and keeping people informed and entertained. As Danny Lawrence and I have made representations to Government, it is welcome news that the Government is stepping in to support this important sector of our media at this difficult time.”

Danny Lawrence, Chair of the Community Media Association, said,

“We are encouraged that DCMS has listened to our presentation of how the coronavirus is affecting our members and the wider community radio sector. The quick and early release of funds from the Community Radio Fund, administered by Ofcom, will provide immediate short-term relief for those community radio stations facing immediate hardship.”

“We look forward to working with DCMS to continue to explore options to fund community radio in the long term to support stations keeping their communities connected and informed during the crisis. We profoundly thank DCMS and Ofcom for acting so quickly at this difficult time.”