40 YEARS OF COMMERCIAL RADIO

That this House congratulates commercial radio on marking 40 years since its launch in October 1973; applauds the contribution of this sector in providing four decades of public value through its mix of music, news, sport and entertainment; notes the enduring popularity of commercial radio, which still attracts over 35 million people each week, despite the increasing pressure on traditional media and audience fragmentation; believes that a strong commercial radio sector competing with the BBC is good for audiences and media plurality; and calls on the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to ensure that the legislative and regulatory framework supports this outcome.