Plymouth’s Ocean City Radio closes after funding strain

Ocean City Radio in Plymouth has stopped broadcasting with immediate effect after rising operating costs and financial pressures linked to its DAB expansion.

In a statement to supporters and listeners, the station confirmed the service had closed and outlined the challenges faced by the volunteer-run broadcaster.

The station began life in 2018 as Radford Radio, operating from a converted caravan designed as a community radio hub. Around 30 volunteers joined the original project after a public meeting in Plymouth.

Following an earlier closure, the station relaunched as Ocean City Radio with new technology and a new website before later securing a DAB+ licence from Ofcom in 2023.

Station founder Stephen Anniss confirmed the Plymouth broadcaster had stopped operating, describing the project as “an epic journey” with both “highs and lows”.

The founder said the move onto DAB increased listening but also significantly raised costs through platform fees and music licensing payments to PPL and PRS.

He blamed the closure on “money, hackers and ruthlessness” and revealed the station had also been affected by identity theft linked to a hack on its bank account.

According to the statement, the incident prevented access to the station’s JustGiving account within 24 hours of the attack, meaning donations from supporters could not be transferred. It adds that annual copyright fees were “in the region of three and a half thousand pounds a year”, while DAB platform costs were around £3,000 before rent and overheads.

The station also struggled with volunteer availability and maintaining a consistent schedule as it attempted to grow advertising income.

The founder said: “Maybe, just maybe, had the station had full commitment from its team, we may have secured longevity of the station.”

Ocean City Radio thanked listeners, donors and supporters at the end of the statement following the closure announcement.