A new inquiry is underway looking at the Welsh radio sector and how much it meets the needs of its audiences.
The National Assembly’s Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee will look at the ownership structure in Wales, the possible impact of deregulation of commerial radio on audiences, and the impact of new technology on content.
A higher proportion of people in Wales listen to the radio than in the UK overall. Radio services reach more than 90 per cent of the population, the highest reach of any UK nation.
“Radio is an important part of how people in Wales access news and information,” said Bethan Jenkins AM, Chair of the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee.
“For some it may be their only source of information as some rural areas lack sufficient mobile and broadband coverage.
“We want to know how well Welsh radio is serving its audiences, and how the industry could look in the future after dereuglation and with the advent of new technology.”
The full terms of reference for the inquiry are:
The extent to which BBC Cymru Wales radio services, commercial radio services and community radio services meet the needs of audiences in Wales;
The possible impact of the deregulation of commercial radio on audiences in Wales;
Ownership structures of commercial radio and their impact on local content;
The impact of new technology on local content;
The financial sustainability of community radio services in Wales; and
The suitability of Wales’s radio broadcasting infrastructure.
Anyone wishing to contribute to the inquiry should visit the Committee’s web pages for more information - www.assembly.wales/seneddcwlc.
The closing date for the public consultation is 16 February 2018.