 Ofcom awards licenses for digital radio services differently depending on the type of service and the platform . Ofcom advertises the licences of new digital radio ensembles and are subject to an open competition to the highest bidder . Ensemble licence awards are awarded for twelve years . On digital television services , individual stations can apply for either a digital cable and satellite licence to broadcast on the aforementioned platforms , or apply for a digital terrestrial licence to broadcast on digital terrestrial television . 
