Radiocentre sets out audio priorities in public service media debate

Radiocentre has outlined its key priorities for UK audio as the sector faces an important year in public service media discussions.

Speaking today (21st January) at a Westminster Media Forum event, CEO Matt Payton urged Government to ensure that audio remains central to debates about the future of public service media.

He highlighted commercial radio’s significant public value, from providing companionship and trusted news to supporting economic growth.

Payton stressed that swift and full implementation of the Media Act is essential. The legislation, he said, not only strengthens TV prominence but also introduces protections to safeguard access to radio on voice platforms such as Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri. It is hoped the framework will be in place by the end of this year.

He also called for a new DCMS Digital Radio & Audio Review to examine listening trends, regulation and distribution, including in vehicles, and to identify steps needed to support a healthy, vibrant audio sector long-term.

He warned that ignoring audio could have unintended consequences, particularly around broadcast distribution.

“If the TV industry moves ahead with switching off DTT or Freeview in 2034, broadcast radio could be left as the main paying customer on many of the UK’s shared transmission masts, with major cost implications,” Payton said.

On the BBC Charter Review Green Paper published in December, he reiterated Radiocentre’s opposition to ad-funded BBC services.

Citing research by Compass Lexecon, he said introducing advertising on BBC radio would make many services unviable, weaken commercial radio, reduce listener choice and have a negative economic impact. “It would be disastrous and it would not be the BBC as we know it,” he said.

Matt concluded that commercial radio’s priorities for 2026 are full Media Act implementation to secure access to radio, a Digital Radio & Audio Review to provide the right long-term framework, a BBC Charter Review sensitive to market impact, and a future in which audio is fully recognised as part of public service media.