University Radio Nottingham

University Radio Nottingham (branded as URN / Student Radio for Nottingham) is the university radio station of the University of Nottingham, England, where it is part of the Students' Union. During term-time it broadcasts locally on University Park Campus on 1350 AM, on Sutton Bonington Campus on 1602 AM and worldwide via its [http://urn1350.net/ website] .

History

URN was established from the University's Radio Broadcasting Club, who, in the late 1970s had an hour's slot on BBC Radio Nottingham. The station was formed in 1978 when Radio Nottingham helped the station set up its first studio in the Cherry Tree buildings. "University Radio Nottingham" started broadcasting to Hugh Stewart Hall and Cripps Hall of residence on 963kHz (313m). Additional induction loops were set up over the next few years in other halls on campus. A fifth induction loop was installed on Sutton Bonnington Campus in 1990, financed by their Guild.

In 1997, URN became one of the first radio stations to broadcast on the internet using the MP3 format. The station started broadcasting in the Ogg Vorbis format in 2002.

The station was one of the first to broadcast using an AM long-term restricted service licence to the whole of University Park on 1350AM in 2001.

In 2004, URN moved into new purpose build studios located in the University's Portland Building. This was due to the demolition of the Cherry Tree buildings in 2003.

Programming

URN's programming includes news, feature-based speech programming, daytime personality-based programming and evening specialist music shows. URN has a strong focus on Nottingham University students in all areas of its programming.

Management

The station is managed by a team of volunteers elected each year by its members at the station's AGM. This team is headed up by the Station Manager, who also represents the station to the University, Students' Union as well as external bodies including the Student Radio Association and Ofcom.

Awards

The station has won more BBC Radio 1 Student Radio Awards than any other radio station. Recent gold awards include:

2007
Best Interview" (Jack Penate)" for "Sarah Holmes and Gareth Ragg"
Best OB/Live Event for "Election Night 2007"

2006
Best Newcomer for "Mike Young"
Best Specialist Show for "Unsigned"
Best OB/Live Event for "Election Night"
Best Female Presenter for "Steve Doran"
And finally Station of the Year 2006

2005
Best Entertainment Show for "Chris Sawyer and Tom Cannon"

URN once held the world record for the longest continuous broadcast by a single presenter at 42 hours. More recently, Steve Doran accomplished a 40 hour continuous broadcast in November 2005 for Children in Need.

The former head of music for URN has currently presents BBC 6 Music's weekly chart show. Philippa Treverton-Jones graduated in 2007. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6522857.stm]

External links

* [http://www.su.nottingham.ac.uk/media/urn/ Introduction to URN]
* [http://urn1350.net/ URN website]