PRESTON DAB LTD

Executive Summary

Preston Dab Ltd is a micro-sized player in the UK radio broadcasting industry, characterized by modest financial scale and recent capital investment in tangible assets. Operating within a sector undergoing rapid digital transformation, the company occupies a niche position with potential strengths in community focus but faces significant competitive and technological challenges from larger, digital-savvy broadcasters. Its current financial standing reflects an early-stage broadcaster needing to leverage innovation and local engagement to secure sustainable growth.

PRESTON DAB LTD - Analysis Report

Company Number: 13177197

Analysis Date: 2025-07-29 17:25 UTC

1. Industry Classification
   Preston Dab Ltd operates within the "Radio broadcasting" sector, classified under SIC code 60100. This sector primarily involves the transmission of audio content over the airwaves, including music, news, and talk shows. Key characteristics of this industry include reliance on audience reach, advertising revenue, and increasingly, digital streaming platforms. Traditional radio broadcasters face pressure from evolving consumer habits and technological changes such as podcasting and internet radio.

2. Relative Performance
   Preston Dab Ltd is a relatively new and micro-to-small sized player in the radio broadcasting industry, having been incorporated in 2021. Its financials for the year ended February 2024 show net assets of £30,154 and tangible fixed assets (fixtures and fittings) of approximately £30,297, indicating recent investment in physical infrastructure. The company reported current assets of £9,643 and current liabilities of £3,096, resulting in positive net working capital. Compared to typical industry benchmarks for established broadcasters, which often have multi-million pound turnovers and sizable advertising contracts, Preston Dab Ltd’s scale and financials remain modest. The company’s very low share capital (£30) and small employee count (average two employees) further underscore its micro-business status within the sector.

3. Sector Trends Impact
   The UK radio broadcasting industry is undergoing significant transformation driven by digital disruption and changing consumer preferences. Traditional FM/AM broadcasting is increasingly supplemented or replaced by digital audio broadcasting (DAB), online streaming, and on-demand content. Advertising revenues, a principal income source for broadcasters, are shifting toward digital platforms, favoring companies with strong online presence and audience engagement metrics. For Preston Dab Ltd, these trends imply both challenges and opportunities: the necessity to invest in digital broadcast technologies and content innovation, while competing against entrenched national and regional broadcasters as well as new digital entrants. Additionally, regulatory factors and local community engagement can influence station viability. Being a small operator likely focused on a niche or local market, Preston Dab Ltd may benefit from targeted community-based content but must remain adaptable to digital market dynamics.

4. Competitive Positioning
   Preston Dab Ltd appears to be a niche or emerging player rather than a sector leader. Its financial footprint is minimal compared to major UK broadcasters like BBC Radio or Global, which have significant assets, revenues, and market share. The company’s ownership structure shows a mix of individual and corporate shareholders with significant control stakes, including Niocast Digital Ltd and Preston Community Radio 23 Ltd, suggesting some collaborative or community-driven governance. The company’s strengths may include flexibility, local market focus, and potential community engagement. However, weaknesses relative to competitors include limited capital resources, small operational scale, and lack of diversified revenue streams. Without detailed turnover or profitability data disclosed, it is challenging to assess operational efficiency or market penetration. Nonetheless, the modest asset base and small workforce imply that Preston Dab Ltd is still in a growth or establishment phase within the sector.