Background
Rare FM was set up in 1998 as an affiliated society of UCL Union, headed at that time by Ed Jackson. It is managed by a committee elected annually at the society's AGM by its members.
Rare FM broadcasts continuously over the Internet, making use of MP3 and OGG streaming, streaming music when DJs are not live in the studio hosting their shows. On a normal day during the university's Autumn and Spring Terms, there will be approximately 15 hours of live original programming, starting at 9.00 a.m. and finishing at 12.00 midnight.
During the university's holidays and reading weeks, many of the student DJs leave London resulting in the output of shows per day decreasing, although some other shows are extended to cover some time that would otherwise be filled by streaming music as happens at night. Similarly, during the Summer Term many students DJs are unable to do their shows owing to exams.
Whilst students are not in the studio, music is streamed via a computerised playout system. Students are able to play music from a variety of sources including the studio database, CDs, cassette tapes, records, mp3 players, MiniDiscs and laptops.
Rare FM has started to provide some content via podcast. The podcasts are available via RSS feed available through the website and listeners can also listen and subscribe via the iTunes music store. Podcast material is also available to listen to direct from the website using a Flash-based player. The podcast show Some News Or Something has been nominated for the 'Media Project of the Year' award at UCL Union's Social Colours and Arts Awards Ceremony 2007.
Rare FM uses Restricted Service Licences to broadcast on FM to Central London, (as well as over the Internet as normal), for a fortnight each year. During this period, local London businesses are given the opportunity to advertise on FM. New Look advertised on Rare FM during the 2007 FM broadcast. The FM broadcast often poses a challenge in the form of London's many pirate radio broadcasters, but coverage can extend to a good portion of central London nonetheless.
FM Broadcast History:
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 February - 28 February |
| 2005 | 23 September - 5 October (UCL Fresher's Week) |
| 2006 | No FM broadcast |
| 2007 | 6 March - 19 March |
| 2008 | 4 March - 18 March |
| 2009 | No FM broadcast due to lack of available frequencies |
Rare FM DJs also broadcast live at UCL and UCL Union events, such as the Freshers' Fayre and the Summer Arts Festival.
Read more about this topic: Rare FM
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