Restricted Service Licence
Encyclopedia
A UK
Restricted Service Licence (often called an RSL), is typically granted to radio stations and television stations broadcasting within the UK to serve a local community or a special event. Licences are granted by the broadcasting
authority Ofcom
(formerly the Radio Authority and the Independent Television Commission
, respectively).
was created and given responsibility for regulating independent television and radio services in the UK. Over time, the demand for local services increased, and finally prompted an Act of Parliament
to deregulate the respective industries and facilitate new long-term and short-term broadcast licences. In 1990, the Broadcasting Act (1990) became law, and led to the establishment of two licencing authorities: the Radio Authority to licence new radio services and monitor existing licences, and the Independent Television Commission
, to licence new short-term television services. While the 1990 act proved successful, licencing procedures to this day remain restrictive compared to those in other countries.
In 2004, the Radio Authority and ITC were folded into the Office of Communications
. Today Ofcom handles all licencing for frequencies used by television and radio services, except short-range broadcasts and wireless links, which are licenced by JFMG (Joint Frequency Management Group).
) by the same applicant/group.
They are generally used for special events, sporting events, religious
festivals, student radio, hospital radio
or to trial a radio project in preparation for an application for a permanent licence. Long-term RSLs (typically broadcast on low-power AM, but more recently in remote areas on low-power FM as well) are used for radio stations broadcasting to closed areas of private land such as university campuses and hospitals. They can be compared with the Low-power broadcasting
movement in the United States
.
A number of stations that ran several RSL broadcasts in the 1990s and early 2000s have since gone on to run full-time community radio
stations.
The first Local TV station to go on the air in the UK with an analogue RSL licence was TV12 on the Isle of Wight. It commenced broadcasting in October 1998 from the main ITV/BBC transmitter at Rowridge. TV12's studios were initially at the Medina Centre in Newport - later moving to retail premises in the town centre and finally a factory unit on the outskirts of the town. Initially a staff of more than 25 made hundreds of hours of local programmes - most of which were filmed on location in and around the island.
Later local TV licences were awarded for stations in Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, Carlisle, Coleraine, Derry, Dundee, Edinburgh, Fawley, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Leicester, Limavady, Londonderry, Manchester, Northampton, Norwich, Oxford, Portsmouth, Reading, Southampton, Swansea, Taunton, Teeside and York.
In light of the impending national switch-over from analogue to digital TV the television regulator, Ofcom, extended several analogue Local TV licences until local digital switchover became due in each respective area. This process is currently still under way but will not be complete until 2012. Meanwhile in February 2009 bids were invited for auctions for the first local digital multiplex licences to be offered in the UK - the first two of which were awarded shortly thereafter.
Note that not all of these services may currently be broadcasting. Some of these stations also broadcast on other platforms such as cable and satellite.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Restricted Service Licence (often called an RSL), is typically granted to radio stations and television stations broadcasting within the UK to serve a local community or a special event. Licences are granted by the broadcasting
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
authority Ofcom
Ofcom
Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
(formerly the Radio Authority and the Independent Television Commission
Independent Television Commission
The Independent Television Commission licensed and regulated commercial television services in the United Kingdom between 1 January 1991 and 28 December 2003....
, respectively).
History
In 1972, the Independent Broadcasting AuthorityIndependent Broadcasting Authority
The Independent Broadcasting Authority was the regulatory body in the United Kingdom for commercial television - and commercial/independent radio broadcasts...
was created and given responsibility for regulating independent television and radio services in the UK. Over time, the demand for local services increased, and finally prompted an Act of Parliament
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
to deregulate the respective industries and facilitate new long-term and short-term broadcast licences. In 1990, the Broadcasting Act (1990) became law, and led to the establishment of two licencing authorities: the Radio Authority to licence new radio services and monitor existing licences, and the Independent Television Commission
Independent Television Commission
The Independent Television Commission licensed and regulated commercial television services in the United Kingdom between 1 January 1991 and 28 December 2003....
, to licence new short-term television services. While the 1990 act proved successful, licencing procedures to this day remain restrictive compared to those in other countries.
In 2004, the Radio Authority and ITC were folded into the Office of Communications
Ofcom
Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
. Today Ofcom handles all licencing for frequencies used by television and radio services, except short-range broadcasts and wireless links, which are licenced by JFMG (Joint Frequency Management Group).
Radio
Short-term RSLs are typically broadcast on low-power FM (1 W–25 W) or AM (1 W) and can generally last a maximum of 28 consecutive days and can only be applied for twice in twelve months with four complete months separating the two broadcast periods (and only once in twelve months inside Greater LondonGreater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
) by the same applicant/group.
They are generally used for special events, sporting events, religious
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
festivals, student radio, hospital radio
Hospital radio
Hospital radio is a form of audio broadcasting produced specifically for the in-patients of hospitals. It is primarily found in the United Kingdom.-History:...
or to trial a radio project in preparation for an application for a permanent licence. Long-term RSLs (typically broadcast on low-power AM, but more recently in remote areas on low-power FM as well) are used for radio stations broadcasting to closed areas of private land such as university campuses and hospitals. They can be compared with the Low-power broadcasting
Low-power broadcasting
Low-power broadcasting is electronic broadcasting at very low power and low cost, to a small community area.The terms "low-power broadcasting" and "micropower broadcasting" should not be used interchangeably, because the markets are not the same...
movement in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
A number of stations that ran several RSL broadcasts in the 1990s and early 2000s have since gone on to run full-time community radio
Community radio in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, Community Radio refers to a system of licensing small, micro-local, non-profit radio stations, which started in 2002. In its early days, the pilot scheme was known as Access Radio.-History:...
stations.
Radio Stations broadcasting under a Restricted Service Licence
Some example stations broadcast with RSLs (with more than a single appearance)- Radio AvalonRadio AvalonWorthy FM is a local radio station broadcasting in the UK to the site of The Glastonbury Festival. It operates under a Restricted Service Licence , issued by Ofcom...
(Glastonbury FestivalGlastonbury FestivalThe Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
) - Don FMDon FMDon FM was an influential London pirate radio station, which along with a handful of other stations, critical in the development of Breakbeat Hardcore, Jungle and Drum and Bass music. It first broadcast in November 1992 on the frequency of 105.7FM from South West London. On the 28th March 1994, it...
(LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
Pirate radioPirate radioPirate radio is illegal or unregulated radio transmission. The term is most commonly used to describe illegal broadcasting for entertainment or political purposes, but is also sometimes used for illegal two-way radio operation...
station which was the only pirate to do so) - Worthy FM (Glastonbury Festival)
- Blink FMBlink FMBlink FM is a local FM radio station which broadcasts to areas of South Buckinghamshire in the United Kingdom - areas of reception include High Wycombe, Hazlemere, Downley, Beaconsfield, Penn and the northern area of Marlow...
, a youth radio station operating at selected times annually in south Buckinghamshire. - Takeover RadioTakeover RadioTakeover Radio is a community radio station broadcasting on FM to Leicester, to the Ashfield district in Nottinghamshire and on the World Wide Web, specialising in helping 'kidz' gain experience and direct participative involvement in radio broadcasting...
(Children's radioChildren's radioChildren's radio is a radio format aimed primarily at pre-teen children. Examples include the Radio Disney network of radio stations, XM Kids satellite radio channel and in the UK Fun Kids....
service in LeicesterLeicesterLeicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
) - XFMXfmXfm is a brand of two commercial radio stations focused on alternative music, primarily indie pop, and owned by Global Radio.-History:Xfm was created in London in 1992 by Sammy Jacob, who later co-founded NME Radio in 2008. Xfm subsequently expanded to a network of four stations; there are...
(London) - KMFM MaidstoneKMFM MaidstoneKMFM Maidstone is an Independent Local Radio serving the town of Maidstone and the surrounding areas in Kent, South East England. It is part of the KMFM group of radio stations in the county, which are part of the KM Group.-History:...
, previously CTR 105.6 and 20/20FM - Huntingdon Community RadioHuntingdon Community RadioHuntingdon Community Radio is radio station operating from studios in Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire, England. It was awarded a broadcast licence by OfCom in 2009 and is due to start transmitting full time from Spring 2011....
(Huntingdon), now awarded a full time licence by OfComOfcomOfcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
and known as HCRfm - Radio CarolineRadio CarolineRadio Caroline is an English radio station founded in 1964 by Ronan O'Rahilly to circumvent the record companies' control of popular music broadcasting in the United Kingdom and the BBC's radio broadcasting monopoly...
, additional to satellite service - Waves FMWaves FMWaves FM is a local radio station based in Peterhead, North East Scotland. The station is on air 24 hours a day with live shows from six am till midnight .- History :...
, previously Waves AM. Broadcasting from Peterhead, in the North East of Scotland. - GLOSS FMGLOSS FMGLOSS FM is a community radio station in the United Kingdom, which started broadcasting to the South Gloucestershire area on 19 April 2010.It is a member of the Community Radio Association....
, previously Thornbury FM. Broadcasts to South Gloucestershire, England. - Moorlands RadioMoorlands RadioMoorlands Radio is a community radio station based in Leek in the Staffordshire Moorlands, England. It was granted the full time licence in the second round of community radio licensing by broadcast regulator Ofcom in February 2008...
, Broadcasts now on 103.7fm to the Staffordshire Moorlands. - BigglesFMBigglesFMBigglesFM is a community radio station broadcasting to Biggleswade, Sandy, Potton and the surrounding area in Bedfordshire on 104.8FM.The station launched a full-time service on Friday 22nd April 2011.- History :...
(Biggleswade), now awarded a full time licence by OfComOfcomOfcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
Television
RSLs are also issued to television stations and other organisations which wish to cover a very small area. These licences (also known as Restricted Television Service Licences or RTS licences) restrict power, and hence range, but not operating hours. These licences are valid for four years, and must be competed for on renewal.The first Local TV station to go on the air in the UK with an analogue RSL licence was TV12 on the Isle of Wight. It commenced broadcasting in October 1998 from the main ITV/BBC transmitter at Rowridge. TV12's studios were initially at the Medina Centre in Newport - later moving to retail premises in the town centre and finally a factory unit on the outskirts of the town. Initially a staff of more than 25 made hundreds of hours of local programmes - most of which were filmed on location in and around the island.
Later local TV licences were awarded for stations in Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, Carlisle, Coleraine, Derry, Dundee, Edinburgh, Fawley, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Leicester, Limavady, Londonderry, Manchester, Northampton, Norwich, Oxford, Portsmouth, Reading, Southampton, Swansea, Taunton, Teeside and York.
In light of the impending national switch-over from analogue to digital TV the television regulator, Ofcom, extended several analogue Local TV licences until local digital switchover became due in each respective area. This process is currently still under way but will not be complete until 2012. Meanwhile in February 2009 bids were invited for auctions for the first local digital multiplex licences to be offered in the UK - the first two of which were awarded shortly thereafter.
Channels licensed under RTSs
- C9TVC9TVC9TV is a local television station based in Derry, Northern Ireland. The station's licences were awarded by the ITC in 1996 and allow the station to broadcast to Derry, Limavady, Coleraine and Strabane. The channels signal also spills into County Donegal in the Republic and can be picked up in...
– Coleraine http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/rtsl/537.htm, Derry http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/rtsl/295.htm, Limavady http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/rtsl/478.htm - Channel MChannel mChannel M is a regional television station, based in Manchester, England. It began broadcasting on 14 February 2000 as Manchester Student Television and is owned and operated by the Guardian Media Group.-Coverage:...
– Manchester http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/rtsl/1099.htm - Ceased broadcasting on analogue terrestrial television on 2 December 2009 - MATV – Leicester http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/rtsl/584.htm - Ceased broadcasting on analogue terrestrial television in 2009
- NvTvNVTVNvTv ' is a local community television station based in the city of Belfast, which broadcasts on UHF channel 62 , and also streams its programming online; it is operated by the Northern Visions media and arts project...
– Belfast http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/rtsl/746.htm - Six TVSix TVSix TV was the sixth free to air terrestrial television channel in the UK, broadcast in Oxford, Southampton, Reading and Portsmouth. It operated under a set of Restricted Service Licences and broadcast on UHF channel 47 in Oxford and UHF channel 29 in Southampton...
Oxford – Oxford http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/rtsl/222.htm - Ceased broadcasting in April 2009 - Six TVSix TVSix TV was the sixth free to air terrestrial television channel in the UK, broadcast in Oxford, Southampton, Reading and Portsmouth. It operated under a set of Restricted Service Licences and broadcast on UHF channel 47 in Oxford and UHF channel 29 in Southampton...
Portsmouth – Portsmouth http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/rtsl/458.htm - Never launched - Six TVSix TVSix TV was the sixth free to air terrestrial television channel in the UK, broadcast in Oxford, Southampton, Reading and Portsmouth. It operated under a set of Restricted Service Licences and broadcast on UHF channel 47 in Oxford and UHF channel 29 in Southampton...
Reading – Reading http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/rtsl/892.htm - Never launched - Six TVSix TVSix TV was the sixth free to air terrestrial television channel in the UK, broadcast in Oxford, Southampton, Reading and Portsmouth. It operated under a set of Restricted Service Licences and broadcast on UHF channel 47 in Oxford and UHF channel 29 in Southampton...
Southampton – Fawley http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/rtsl/717.htm, Southampton http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/rtsl/553.htm - Ceased broadcasting in April 2009 - TV Norwich – Norwich http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/rtsl/556.htm
- York@54York@54York@54 is a regional free-to-air television channel operating in York, England....
– York http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/rtsl/557.htm
Note that not all of these services may currently be broadcasting. Some of these stations also broadcast on other platforms such as cable and satellite.
Former channels licensed under RTSs
- Bristol TV – Bristol - Ceased broadcasting in 2003
- Capital TV – Cardiff http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/rtsl/743.htm - Ceased broadcasting in 2009
- Carlisle TV – Carlisle http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/rtsl/712.htm - Trialled but never launched
- Channel Six DundeeChannel Six DundeeChannel Six Dundee operated between 2001 and 2002, was the city of Dundee's own Restricted Service Licence television station. It provided a platform for local bands to showcase their talent as well as classic cartoons beloved by the resident student community.Some local live events were also...
– Dundee - Ceased broadcasting in 2002 - Edinburgh Television – Edinburgh - Ceased broadcasting in 2003
- Lanarkshire TV – Lanarkshire http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/rtsl/781.htm - Ceased broadcasting in 2001
- Northants TV – Northampton - Ceased broadcasting in 2004
- Portsmouth TV – Portsmouth - Ceased broadcasting on 19 March 2004
- Solent TVSolent TVSolent TV was an independent not-for-profit television channel broadcasting on the Isle of Wight. It was transmitted from the Rowridge transmitter on the Isle of Wight on UHF channel 54...
– Isle of Wight http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/rtsl/705.htm - Ceased broadcasting on 24 May 2007 - Southampton TV – Southampton - Ceased broadcasting on 19 March 2004
- Taunton TV – Taunton and Wellington http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmcumeds/memo/futureformedia/uc1602.htm - Ceased broadcasting in 2002
- Teesside – Teesside http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/rtsl/950.htm - Never launched
- Thistle TVThistle TVThistle Television was a locally broadcast commercial television station for Lanarkshire, Scotland. It broadcast a mixture of locally produced programmes and newer films. It also showed 2 hours worth of Sky News every day as well as broadcasting the QVC channel.It replaced the defunct, Lanarkshire...
– Lanarkshire - Ceased broadcasting on 17 May 2005 - TV12 – Isle of Wight - Ceased broadcasting in 2002
Disqualifications
The following are automatically disqualified from holding a restricted service licence:- county, district or borough councils
- The Welsh Assembly
- The BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
- advertising agencies
- anyone with a conviction for pirate broadcastingPirate broadcastingPirate broadcasting is illegal unlicensed broadcasting, referring to:*pirate radio*pirate televisionSee also: broadcast signal intrusion, when a licensed broadcast signal is overridden by an unauthorized signal, more akin to real piracy....
is barred from applying for five years (however, a number of pirate stations have successfully applied for Restricted Service Licenses) - Anyone with an unspent conviction is barred from applying for ten years from date of conviction (Murder and sex offences are never spent, as are prison sentences over two and a half years)
- undischarged bankrupts
- political partiesPolitical PartiesPolitical Parties: A Sociological Study of the Oligarchical Tendencies of Modern Democracy is a book by sociologist Robert Michels, published in 1911 , and first introducing the concept of iron law of oligarchy...
, trade unions, lobby groups and certain religious organisations - Anyone barred from being a company director
See also
- Low-power broadcastingLow-power broadcastingLow-power broadcasting is electronic broadcasting at very low power and low cost, to a small community area.The terms "low-power broadcasting" and "micropower broadcasting" should not be used interchangeably, because the markets are not the same...
– the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pirate radioPirate radioPirate radio is illegal or unregulated radio transmission. The term is most commonly used to describe illegal broadcasting for entertainment or political purposes, but is also sometimes used for illegal two-way radio operation...
version of legal British stations broadcasting with a Restricted Service Licence. - Community television in Australia – a similar Australian television concept
- Community channel – a Canadian equivalent to British RSL and American LPTV stations