Rare FM

Rare FM is the student-run radio station of University College London.

It was set up in 1998 as an affiliated society of UCL Union. It is run by a committee elected annaully be the members of that society. The current society president (and station manager) is Frankie Roberto.

Rare FM broadcasts continuously over the internet (though there is generally only around 12 hours of original programming a day during the university's Autumn and Spring terms with less during the Summer term and in vacation periods, a computerised music playout system being used to fill the intervening hours), making use of MP3 and OGG streaming. It has also started to provide some content via podcast.

Where funding permits Rare uses Restricted Service Licences to broadcast for up to 28 days a year. The last FM broadcast ran from February 1st to February 28th 2004. It is known that the station's 2005–6 committee (headed by Joe Myerscough) wishes to broadcast on FM for 15 days from 23rd September 2005 to 7th October 2005, pending a successful RSL application and the securing of funds to pay for it.

Despite frequent attempts by the station's committee members to get Rare FM broadcast in UCL Union bars during weekday lunchtimes, it currently happens rarely, if ever.

Content

Rare is primarily a music station- tending to focus on indie/alternative music (though almost none of it's output is playlisted). It features a wide range of specialist shows focusing on genres including classical music, Bollywood, heavy metal and UK hip hop.

Outside of the music content, Rare FM has shows focusing on film, books, football and news from UCL Union's clubs and socities. The station regularly features interviews with musicians and comedians. There are also daily news bulletins and a weekly half hour news roundup produced by a dedicated Rare News team headed by Jeremy Harris.

External links

• Rare FM's website