Milton Keynes new DAB platform will reach approximately 200,000 adults in and around the area and our ambition is to provide an affordable long-term digital future for many existing broadcasters, as well as new entrants.

Contracting for carriage with MK Digital Media Limited

How to broadcast on MK Digital Media’s multiplex

At any one time about 20 radio stations (programme services) will broadcast from our transmitters across the Milton Keynes area. Whenever capacity to carry programme services becomes available new programme services can be considered to join the multiplex. To this end we maintain a waiting list.

To ensure fair treatment there is a standard application process. Each application will be assessed against four ‘thresholds’ (these are explained below). To promote competitive entry, applications will not be assessed purely on economic grounds. MK Digital Media acknowledges its duty to trade in a way calculated to ensure fair and effective competition and so this is where the ‘thresholds’ become important.

The process to join MK Digital Media as a programme service covers three stages:

Stage 1: Prospective applicants should complete an expression of interest/application form setting out the extent to which their service meets certain ‘thresholds’.

Stage 2: Programme service applications will be sifted by MK Digital Media, according to the extent to which an applicant meets (or exceeds) the ‘thresholds’ before being added to our waiting list.

Stage 3: When capacity becomes available, we will assess the most appropriate new service to join the bouquet of services currently carried.

The programme service ‘thresholds’ explained

MK Digital Media will assess each carriage request by the extent to which they meet or exceed certain criteria. We have called these criteria ‘programme service thresholds’. By working to a framework (whereby each prospective programme service can be assessed) we can develop a system that is fair, in a market that is also competitive.

To make this framework transparent we have set out these programme service thresholds below. Selection will be based on which programme services, in the view of MK Digital Media, display the strongest characteristics set against the four programme service thresholds.

The four thresholds are:

1.  The localness of origin, or otherwise, of the programme service to our Milton Keynes coverage area

2.  The extent to which the service provider has calculated how their service will appeal to listeners in the Milton Keynes area

3.  An assessment of how the proposed service will compliment or extend the range of services carried on the MK Digital Media multiplex 

4.  The extent to which the proposed service is likely to attract the necessary funding or other financial support needed to commence broadcasting and carry-on broadcasting, ensuring the service can meet its contractual obligations

Applicants are strongly encouraged to bear these thresholds in mind, when submitting their application form. Once the form has been submitted a member of the team will be in touch.

Should you require more information or need to apply for either of the licences please visit link below:

OFCOM C-DSP and DSP Application Forms: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your-licence/radio-broadcast-licensing/small-scale-DAB-licensing/advertisements

*page updated 28th December 2021