Preston station in breach for not broadcasting local news and sport

Preston community station Juice Radio has been found in breach of its licence for not broadcasting local news and sport content.

A complaint was made against the station following its rebrand in January 2024 from Beat, saying it wasn’t compliance with its Key Commitments.

Ofcom listened to recordings of the service and concluded that news and sports programmes, local and community news and information, interviews, magazine programmes and community of interest programming were missing.

The station said it broadcast lots of local and original programming, including a what’s on guide and ‘juice list’, but struggled getting volunteers to do news.

But Ofcom said the content of these items, details about a Dizzee Rascal performance in Liverpool, a band performing at a local venue, a bottomless brunch at a local venue, Steven Sanchez performing at Manchester New Century, Taylor Swift performing at the Manchester O2, a business networking group, a toddler group and events at a local garden centre, did not qualify as relevant news or sport.

Ofcom said: “We acknowledge PCR 23’s (the licence holder) admission of the challenges it has in meeting areas of its Key Commitments and we recognise that it has already started to implement changes to comply with its Key Commitments.

“The Licensee may wish to request a change to its Key Commitments. Such a request must be approved by Ofcom before a licensee makes changes to its output.”