Explainer: Why is community radio under threat and what are the wider impacts?
Community radio stations across the UK are facing pressures to survive. From hospital broadcasters to small-town FM stations, many outputs struggle with rising bills, fewer grants, and changes in how audiences listen to radio. This comes as part of wider challenges facing local media, with regional newspapers increasingly closing their doors. So why are community stations under threat, and why are they important?
Radio Tyneside's current base which has been sold due to soaring maintenance costs. Image Credits: Sophie Jarvis
What does community radio do?
Community radio stations, often not-for-profit and volunteer-run, serve local audiences by providing news, entertainment, and support. They focus on programming that reflects the needs and interests of the people who live in the a...