University Radio Nottingham

University Radio Nottingham

File:Urn logo.png
Broadcast area	University of Nottingham
Frequency	1350AM
Programming
Format	Contemporary
Ownership
Owner	University of Nottingham Students' Union
History
First air date	November 1979
Links
Website	URN

University Radio Nottingham is the multi-award–winning 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 and worldwide via its 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 set up its first studio in the Cherry Tree buildings in 1978 and "University Radio Nottingham" started broadcasting to Hugh Stewart Hall and Cripps Hall of residence on 963 kHz (312m) in November 1979. Additional induction loops were set up over the next few years in other halls on campus. A fifth induction loop was installed on Sutton Bonington Campus in 1990, financed by their Guild.

Internet broadcasting

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.

RSL

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

New buildings

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.

URN Studio Two after its 2010 refit

Digital Refit

During the summer of 2012 the whole station was refitted to use a Studer digital system for audio routing and mixing.

Studio 1 after digital refit

Programming

URN's programming includes news-show The Pulse, 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.

Awards

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

2012
Station of the Year 2012
Best Journalistic Programme (As well as Bronze and Silver)
Best Marketing and Station Sound

2011
Station of the Year 2011
Best Marketing and Station Sound

2010
Station of the Year 2010
Best Male for Rob Howard (now radio presenter on Capital North East)
Best Entertainment for Ollie and Liam
Best Marketing and Station Sound
Best Technical Achievement for Audio Management

2009
Best Male for Fergus Dufton
Best Specialist Programming for Radio Clubfoot

2008
Station of the Year 2008
Best Outside Broadcast/Live Event for Election Night 2008
Best Entertainment Programming for The Afternoon Show with Gareth & Tom
Best Journalistic Programming for URN News
Best Technical Achievement for The All-In-One OB Box

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

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

2005
Best Entertainment Show for Chris Sawyer and Tom Cannon

Stunts

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.

Famous alumni

The former head of music for URN presented BBC 6 Music's weekly chart show. Philippa Treverton-Jones graduated in 2007.

External links

• Introduction to URN
• URN website

Video clips

• YouTube channel