STOKE-ON-TRENT, United Kingdom, January 26, 2003 — UCB Europe, a Christian radio network that broadcasts by satellite, cable and via the Internet from Stoke-on-Trent, UK, now believes it will eventually be able to get a national DAB broadcast license.
"Up until now, we have not been allowed to compete for a national radio license but now we have received the first sign that the Lord may be opening that door at last," said Ian Mackie, CEO for UCB (United Christian Broadcasters) Europe.
That "sign" was a letter UCB received recently from the Rt. Hon. Tessa Jowell MP, Secretary of State for DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) entitled: Holding of Broadcasting Licenses by Religious Bodies.
The following is an excerpt from that letter:
"Given the level of constituency interest in this issue, I thought that you might be interested in an update on our policy as it will appear in the Communications Bill. The Government's aim is to ensure that limited spectrum is distributed so as to satisfy as many viewers and listeners as possible, and to ensure that everyone's beliefs are equally respected.
"More spectrum is available for radio, and there is no longer a strong case for the ban on religious bodies holding national digital sound program service licenses. We therefore propose to remove this restriction; I know that this will be welcomed by many of your constituents."
Mackie went on to say, "Digital radio and TV are the way the UK populace will all be watching and listening to programs in the future. In fact, through BBC and ITV, terrestrial digital broadcasting is already a reality.
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