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Restricted Service Licence

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).

(Glastonbury Festival)

Worthy FM

previously TWCFM, awarded the first full-time community radio licence in UK 1.11.2005 for Melton Mowbray by Ofcom

103 The Eye

former offshore "pirate" radio station now available on satellite and Internet Radio

Radio Caroline

community radio station in Brentwood which broadcast 12 RSLs before being awarded a full-time licence by Ofcom

Phoenix FM

London pirate radio station

Don FM

a youth radio station operating at selected times annually in south Buckinghamshire

Blink FM

children's radio service in Leicester

Takeover Radio

(London)

XFM

previously CTR 105.6 and 20/20FM

KMFM Maidstone

(Huntingdon), now awarded a full-time licence by Ofcom and known as HCRfm

Huntingdon Community Radio

previously Waves AM. Broadcasting from Peterhead, in the North East of Scotland

Waves FM

previously Thornbury FM. Broadcasts to South Gloucestershire, England.

GLOSS FM

broadcasts now on 103.7fm to the Staffordshire Moorlands

Moorlands Radio

(Biggleswade), now awarded a full-time licence by Ofcom

BigglesFM

Christmas radio station, broadcasting each December in Larne, Northern Ireland

Chaine FM

– Coleraine,[4] Derry,[5] Limavady[6] – ceased broadcasting in 2008

C9TV

– Leicester[7] – ceased broadcasting on analogue terrestrial television in 2009

MATV

– Belfast[8] – ceased broadcasting on 23 October 2012, granted a local digital TV licence[9]

NvTv

Oxford – Oxford[10] – ceased broadcasting in April 2009

Six TV

Portsmouth – Portsmouth[11] – never launched

Six TV

Reading – Reading[12] – never launched

Six TV

Southampton – Fawley,[13] Southampton[14] – ceased broadcasting in April 2009

Six TV

TV Norwich – Norwich

[15]

county, district or borough councils

The

Welsh Parliament

The

BBC

advertising agencies

anyone with a conviction for is barred from applying for five years (however, a number of pirate stations have successfully applied for Restricted Service Licences)

pirate broadcasting

Anyone with an un is barred from applying for ten years from date of conviction (Murder and life sentences are never spent, as are prison sentences over four years)

spent conviction

undischarged bankrupts

political parties, trade unions, and certain religious organisations

lobby groups

anyone barred from being a company director

The following are automatically disqualified from holding a restricted service licence:

– the United States version of legal British stations broadcasting with a Restricted Service Licence

Low-power broadcasting

– a similar Australian television concept

Community television in Australia

– a Canadian equivalent to British RSL and American LPTV stations

Community channel

Ofcom RSL (Radio) information

Ofcom RSL (Television) information

ABC Dummies Guide to Community Radio and Restricted Service Licences