Radio station to change name (From Witney Gazette)

Radio station to change name

7:23am Friday 8th February 2008 in Witney By David Horne

A COMMUNITY radio station wants to change its name to reflect its young audience and make the move to win a permanent FM licence.

Just Oxfordshire, set up three years ago to serve west Oxfordshire, already broadcasts every night at justoxfordshire.co.uk from 7-11pm.

But, despite having had temporary licence to go on the airwaves on 87.9FM, it still has not received full permission from Ofcom, the licensing authority.

Andy MacLarty, who set up the station in 2005, said they had been held back in their plans by the setting up of Jack FM.

He added: "It has swept most of the 30+ market away with its superb programming. We are now concentrating on the youth market and trying to get younger students involved in the station."

Because of the demand in submissions for new community radio stations, Ofcom put back Just Oxfordshire's application until this year. It was also not allowed, under Ofcom rules, to broadcast within three months of the start date of Jack FM.

It now wants to rebrand itself, reflecting its younger audience and producers, and to get involvement from under-16s. They are being encouraged to come along to a public meeting on Wednesday at Madley Brook School, Witney, at 7.30pm, where plans will be unveiled for its future direction.