It would without regulation, but if Ofcom allocate FM licences at a reduced cost post switchover, and give them the old frequencies of the commercials/BBC who had moved to DAB, the FM band may be a haven of choice.. of course though, you'd have to still contend with the pirates who don't want to pay PRS costs!
I don't think cost is an issue, assuming they opted to become community radios stations. Community radio stations don't pay a commercial rate for the licence. I think it's £600 unless turnover exceeds £350'000 or something like that. There's a similar rate for PRS fees, so in practice the costs are minimal. I think its more a case of spectrum being available.
The following link may be of interest to some... but I just don't get the gist of it - albeit interesting... Irie 99.4 is about a 5 minute walk from me and use the same block as 'Upbeat' (99.7) both different stations entirely, and I dip into a bit of both as and when the mood takes me.
Comments
I don't think cost is an issue, assuming they opted to become community radios stations. Community radio stations don't pay a commercial rate for the licence. I think it's £600 unless turnover exceeds £350'000 or something like that. There's a similar rate for PRS fees, so in practice the costs are minimal. I think its more a case of spectrum being available.
http://www.radionecks.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=607
Yes, I used to listen to them in West Bromwich. Often featured on TV news. I used to like Sounds Alternative.
These are well worth a look:
http://www.thepiratearchive.net/sunshine_radio.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sl9C_nwdWM&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OTn7s0Gt4o&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVwR9ztvZcE&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL-QQWcdsMk&feature=plcp
Sunshine becoming legal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stQyl1bauG0&feature=related
Yes I remember Wulfrun Sound.
Mike Johns, Paul Johnson (R.I.P) Dave Jarvis and I think Nigel Gordon were presenters on there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_HKb3B9jtA