The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has announced the launch of a review of the UK’s radio industry.

The review comes amid significant changes in the world of radio, as audiences increasingly move to digital platforms to consume content. Some 85% of UK adults are estimated to tune into the radio every week, three quarters of whom do so on digital or online platforms, rather than on FM or AM.

To manage this transition, the review will bring together Government and industry to “examine the changes in listener behaviour and audio markets in recent years, and make recommendations on the future distribution of radio services”. Its terms of reference include investigating future scenarios for the consumption of UK radio and audio content into the 2030s, considering the impact of these scenarios on current and future distribution strategies, and making recommendations on the future distribution of radio services.

Three things in particular will be examined in the review:

1. Whether there should be a managed transition away from FM in the 2030s and, if so, over what timescale;
2. The potential impact of a decision on the future of Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) on radio distribution;
3. The role of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, and the benefits and challenges they pose to the industry

The Review will conclude this autumn and inform both the development of future policy and the current BBC Charter Review.

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