Members

Full Member Benefits

Full Membership is available to all UK stations holding a commercial radio licence. Here’s how we support these members:

• Provide a strong and united voice for commercial radio
• Drive industry revenue by promoting the benefits of radio advertising
• Ensure advertising messages on commercial radio comply with the BCAP code
• Keep stations informed and involved
• Help stations run successful businesses

Provide a strong and united voice for commercial radio

• Co-operation: we bring together stations of all sizes, so we can speak with one voice and represent their interests to advertisers, government, regulators and policymakers.
• Regulation: we work to modernise rules and regulation affecting UK radio, so that businesses can control their costs and offer a better service for audiences and advertisers.
• Public affairs: we speak for commercial radio with Government Ministers, civil servants and MPs, ensuring that the value of the sector and its interests are understood.
• Operations: we act as a collective voice for radio stations on operational issues where it makes sense to work together, for example on music licensing schemes (with PPL and PRS for Music) and the urgent financial and support measures required in response to Covid-19.

Drive industry revenue by promoting the benefits of radio advertising

• Advertiser targeted marketing: we drive industry revenue by promoting the medium to advertisers and their agencies. This includes producing radio advertising campaigns which member stations can broadcast
• Robust research: we regularly commission and publish award-winning research projects to prove the effectiveness of radio advertising
• Online advertising tools: we have developed a range of easy-to-use planning, effectiveness and creative tools to support sales team and customers
• Creative development: we champion best-in-class radio advertising to help the advertising industry see radio for the creative opportunity it is. 
• Training: we run regular training courses to develop knowledge and understanding of radio advertising

Ensure advertising messages on commercial radio comply with the BCAP code

• Script clearance: we ensure advertising messages on commercial radio stations comply with the necessary content rules and standards. Every station must pay for advertising clearance as a requirement of their broadcasting licence and this is included in our membership fee. We also operate a trustmark scheme to reassure listeners that they can trust the messages they hear on commercial radio

Keep stations informed and involved

• Communications: we provide up-to-date information about all aspects of UK commercial radio through a fortnightly newsletter, a daily summary of national and trade press coverage of commercial radio, as well as our website and social channels
• Events: we bring the industry together with a wide range of events across the UK, including our annual Tuning In Conference. We also represent radio at a number of high profile media events both nationally and internationally
• Network initiatives: we get the industry working together on cross-network initiatives such as appeals for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)
• Exclusive offers: through various partnerships we secure discounts on many products, services and events for our members

Help stations run successful businesses

• Free legal advice: through our partnership with Croner Consulting, we ensure members have access to advice on business issues including employment law, HR, tax, VAT, PAYE, NIC and payroll. Find out more.
• HMRC guidelines: we provide detailed guidance notes on the radio industry’s agreed set of guidelines with HMRC regarding the employment status and tax arrangements of people working in the industry
• 50% J-ET discount: our members are entitled to a substantial 50% discount on subscriptions to the J-ET radio trading system

Testimonials