Amendment of the Broadcasting Act 19963

In section 58 (duration and renewal of national or local radio multiplex licences)—

a

in subsection (2)5, at the beginning insert “Subject to subsection (2A),”;

b

after subsection (2) insert—

2A

A national radio multiplex licence granted (or renewed under this section) before the commencement of this subsection may be renewed (or further renewed) in accordance with this section for a period ending with 31st December 2035.

c

after subsection (3) insert—

3A

An application for the renewal of a national radio multiplex licence under subsection (2A) may be made by the licence holder not later than the relevant date.

d

in paragraph (a) of subsection (12A)6, after “date determined” insert “, subject to subsection (12B)”;

e

after subsection (12A) insert—

12B

Subsection (12A)(a) does not prevent a determination for the purposes of subsection (12) being made less than one year before the date determined where—

a

the renewal of the licence in question would be a renewal under subsection (2A), and

b

the determination is made as soon as practicable after the commencement of this subsection.