The aim of the Bill was to make provision about the regulation of small-scale radio multiplex services; and for connected purposes.
At present, the costs and licensing scheme are not conducive to allowing small-scale/community radio stations and radio services access to the DAB digital radio network. This Bill aims to bring in provision to make Digital Access available to all small-scale operators.
The Bill has already had its first reading on 4th July 2016, and had its Second Reading on 13th January 2017. After much debate, the Bill passed its Second Reading without opposition, and progressed to the Committee Stage. A video recording of the Second Reading can be found by clicking here, or a transcript can be found by clicking here.
At the Committee Stage on 31st January, the Bill was scrutinised by a Committee involving MPs from across the House. After much debate, the Bill progressed to the Report Stage without amendment. A transcript of the Committee Stage can be found by clicking here.
The Report Stage and Third Reading were both held on 3rd February 2017, and after an hour's debate again progressed without amendments being made. As a result, the Broadcasting (Radio Multiplex Services) Bill 2016-17 formally cleared the House of Commons, and moved on to the House of Lords for consideration in the other place.
The Bill was initially read for a first time in the House of Lords on 6th February, and progressed in a similar fashion to the House of Commons - Second Reading, Committee Stage, Report Stage and Third Reading. As in the House of Commons, the Bill progressed without amendment, and passed the House of Lords on 21st March 2017.
Since this date, the Prime Minister called for an early General Election. As of the prorogation of Parliament on Thursday 27th April 2017, all Parliamentary Bills that had not completed the Parliamentary scrutiny process were deemed to have run out of time to be debated, and did not pass into legislation. As Kevin's Broadcasting (Radio Multiplex Services) Bill 2016-17 had completed its passage, it was formally granted Royal Assent as part of the prorogation ceremony, and officially passed into legislation, becoming the Broadcasting (Radio Multiplex Services) Act 2017. A link to the video of the formal Royal Commission proceedings can be found by clicking here.
You can read more about the Parliamentary passage of this Act here.