Ofcom has agreed to GMG Radio’s request that Smooth Radio North West is allowed to change its format to become an easy listening station which would also feature lifestyle oriented speech targeting its local audience.

The station has made the suggestions but aims to continue to target an audience of 50-plus and broadcast 12 hours a week of specialist music programmes. It is currently required to broadcast 45 hours a week of specialist jazz programmes.

The agreement was made on Monday by Ofcom following a consultation process.

Meanwhile, Ofcom has also agreed to a change of format for all five Smooth Radio services based in England which permits these stations to drop their current localness obligations.

The change has been agreed in return for providing a new, UK-wide Smooth Radio service on the national  commercial DAB multiplex, Digital One.