Consultation on the designation of Radio Selection Services

Radio continues to be a strong and highly valued medium in the UK, with 87% of the population tuning in every week. Changes to broadcast technology and streaming habits have resulted in a transition from analogue (AM/FM) to digital (DAB) and online forms of distribution. In particular, there has been a sustained uplift in listeners’ use of voice-activated devices (such as smart speakers) to access online streams of live broadcast radio.

In response to these changes, Part 3B of the Communications Act 2203 (introduced by Part 6 of the Media Act 2024) introduced new powers to protect the availability and carriage of online streams of UK broadcast radio on such voice-activated services (defined as Radio Selection Services or ‘RSS’).

This consultation is seeking views on taking forward Ofcom’s recommendations in designating the following three RSS: Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s Siri.