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Cam FM

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Coordinates:52°12′46″N0°06′12″E/ 52.2127°N 0.1034°E/52.2127; 0.1034
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CAM FM (Cambridge University Radio)
  • Cambridge
Broadcast areaUniversity of Cambridge&
Anglia Ruskin University
Frequency97.2 MHz (FM)
Programming
FormatVariety: rock/dance/indie/pop/news/arts/debates/comedy
Ownership
OwnerCambridge and Anglia Ruskin Student Radio Ltd
History
First air date
February 1979
Links
Webcaststream.camfm.co.uk/camfm
camfm.co.uk/player
Websitecamfm.co.uk

Cam FM(formerly known asCambridge University Radioand laterCUR1350) is a student-runradio stationat theUniversity of CambridgeandAnglia Ruskin University.The station broadcasts online and has an FM frequency of 97.2 MHz. The station opened studios at Anglia Ruskin University andFitzwilliam Collegeand started broadcasting in 2012 from these locations[1]after having spent its first 32 years located inChurchill College.Cam FM once held the world record for the longest team broadcast marathon, at 76 hours,[2]and following the significant technical overhaul as a result of the two new studios in 2012, provided the first-ever broadcast media coverage of theOxford vs Cambridge Women's Boat RacefromDorney Lake,as well as live outside broadcasts fromNewmarket Racesand theVarsity Ski Trip.[1]

In March 2009, Cam FM was awarded an FM Community Licence by the UK Broadcasting RegulatorOfcom.[1]The station, then known as CUR1350, took on its current name and launched its FM service on October 2, 2010.[1]The station is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin Student Radio Ltd, which is also the FM licence holder.

Cam FM disaffiliated from theStudent Radio Associationin 2015,[3]despite once winning Best Station at the Association's Student Radio Awards 2007 asCUR1350.[4]However, Cam FM rejoined the Student Radio Association in 2019.

Cam FM is managed by a committee of annually elected students and alumni of theUniversity of CambridgeandAnglia Ruskin University.[5]

History[edit]

In early 1979, Simon Cooper, Ellie Buchanan, andDavid Clouterat the student-runCambridge University Broadcasting Society[6]founded a radio station which was granted permission to installinduction loopsaround the Cambridge colleges ofChurchilland laterNew Hall,allowing residents to listen to Cambridge University Radio (as it was then known) over a short-range, mono, mediumwave broadcast. The station subsequently becameCUR945.[1]

Despite successfully applying for a number of short-term FM licences, CUR was unable to continuously broadcast to the university community, and so it struggled to achieve widespread popularity.

The explosive growth of the Internet, along with many colleges installing high-speedEthernetconnections in student rooms, prompted the station to launch a simultaneous webcast in 1998. This allowed students from throughout the University to listen whenever they were near a computer. In 2004, the Internet audio webcasts were upgraded, and in 2005, an enhanced online player was launched.

Additionally, in 2002, the station successfully applied for a long-term,low-powered AMlicence.[7]Broadcasting on 1350 kHz, the station was then known as CUR1350.

In 2006, CUR1350 launched a project to install a cable service to multiple sites across the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin. Dubbed"CURintheBAR",the station was distributed via the universities' LAN network to receiving units positioned in student bars and cafes, where it was relayed over loudspeakers.

In March 2009, the station was granted an FM Community Radio Licence by the UK regulatorOfcomto become the only FM radio station targeting members of Cambridge University and Anglia Ruskin University. Regular programmes began on the new frequency of 97.2 FM in October 2010; the station is now rebranded as Cam FM.[8]

Cam FM is financially self-sufficient via on-air and online advertising and a yearly membership fee. Profits are invested back into the station to improve the service for listeners and the experience for station members. The station receives no funding from either the university or any student union.[9]

Current broadcasts[edit]

Currently, Cam FM broadcasts continuously, with an automated playout system filling the intervals between live broadcasts. During term time, much of the station's output is live between the hours of 8am and 1am. Programmes are produced and presented by undergraduate and postgraduate students and alumni at both theUniversity of Cambridgeand the Cambridge campus ofAnglia Ruskin University.A majority of programmes are specialist music shows (e.g.drum and bass,indie rock,UK garage), though others are aimed at a wider audience (e.g. their breakfast show, theatre/film review show, or local news coverage).

Most of the technology used by Cam FM is developed in-house, such as their automated playout system, computerized playout systems and audio routing in the studio, enabling the station to be built to specification[citation needed].

Awards[edit]

Sports coverage earned the station a silver award in the 2003Student Radio Awardsfor their annual coverage of theMay Bumps.In 2004, the station won four awards:

  • Val Mellon, who would be later heard on the nationalDABstationCoreuntil it ceased broadcast in 2008, won a gold award forBest Entertainment Show,as well as a bronze award forBest FemalePresenter.
  • A further gold award was presented to the station forTechnical Achievementin recognition of the station's platform-independent webcast system.
  • A silver award was given to the station forBest Sports Programmingfor their live coverage of the annual Oxford vs Cambridgerugby unionVarsity match.

In 2005, CUR1350 was nominated for four awards. These were:

  • Technical Achievement- the station was nominated for its wireless internet link coverage of May Bumps 2005,
  • Sports Broadcasting-Ed Boltonfor The Sports Show, including interviews withChris Eubank,
  • Specialist Music- Samuel Green for "Kol Cambridge", the UK's then-only broadcast radio show dedicated toIsraeliandJewish Music- this show continues to the present day, now in the form of apodcastindependent of Cam FM,
  • Student Radio Station of the Year[10]

In 2007, CUR1350 was nominated for an all-time company record of nine Student Radio Awards, making it the most nominated station of 2007:[11]

  • Best Technical Innovation
  • Three forBest Entertainment Programme- Charles Lyon's"Weekend Breakfast",Jaine Sykes'"Rock Paper Scissors",and Ella Belsham & Alex-James Painter's"Morning Glory"),
  • Best Specialist Music Programme- Tobias Bown's"Volume 11",
  • Newcomer of the Year -Jaine Sykes,
  • Two forBest Female Presenter- Katherine Godfrey and Jaine Sykes,
  • Student Radio Station of the Year

Of these, CUR1350 won Bronze in theBest Entertainment Programmecategory with Charles Lyons'"Weekend Breakfast",Gold for Katherine Godfrey in theBest Female Presentercategory, and Gold inStation of the Year.[4]

In 2008, CUR1350 was nominated for:

  • Student Radio Station of the Year,
  • Best Specialist Music Programme- Sandy Mill,
  • Best Outside Broadcast- The 2008 May Bumps,
  • Best Student RadioChart Show-Charles Lyon

Of these, the station won Gold in theBest Chart Showcategory.Best Student Radio Chart Showwas also a new category as of this year.

In 2009, CUR1350 received two nominations at the Student Radio Awards. These were for:

  • Best Student Radio Chart Show- Tobias Bown and Simon Ruggles
  • Best Outside Broadcast/Live Event- The 2009 May Bumps.[12]

In 2012, now known as Cam FM, the station was nominated at the Student Radio Awards for:

  • Best Outside Broadcast/Live Event- the 2012 May Bumps,[13]
  • Best Speech -"The Fo' Show"
  • Student Radio Station of the Year.[14]

Of these, the station won gold in theBest Outside Broadcast/Live Eventcategory.

TheKevin GreeningAward is named in honour of the lateBBC Radio Onepresenter whose career in radio started at CUR1350, as it was then known.[15]

Alumni[edit]

Several of the station's members have subsequently achieved considerable success in the wider world of radio & television broadcasting. Notable examples include:

The station once held annualalumni days,on which former members were invited back to once again produce and present shows for listeners within the University.

References[edit]

  1. ^abcde"Cam FM - 97.2 FM - Radio for Cambridge University and Anglia Ruskin".Cam FM.Retrieved2 September2023.
  2. ^DJs take a spin at world recordArchived26 March 2014 at theWayback Machine
  3. ^SRA Members. Student Radio Association. Retrieved on 2015-10-18.
  4. ^abStudent Radio Awards - 2007 - Winners. Student Radio Association. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.Archived18 November 2007 at theWayback Machine
  5. ^"2023/24 Cam FM committee".
  6. ^Cam FM at 40. Retrieved on 06/01/21
  7. ^Ofcom Long-term RSL Licencees. Retrieved on 14/06/08
  8. ^Ofcom Radio Broadcast Update October 2010.Archived7 December 2010 at theWayback Machine
  9. ^University of Cambridge Societies Guide. Retrieved on 14/06/08Archived4 July 2009 at theWayback Machine
  10. ^Student Radio Awards - 2005 - Winners. Student Radio Association. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
  11. ^Student Radio Awards - 2007 - Nominees. Student Radio Association. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.Archived23 July 2008 at theWayback Machine
  12. ^The Student Radio Awards Nominees 2009Archived29 March 2012 at theWayback Machine
  13. ^The Student Radio Awards Winners 2012Archived21 April 2013 atarchive.today
  14. ^The Student Radio Awards Nominees 2012Archived15 October 2012 at theWayback Machine
  15. ^The Student Radio Awards, Kevin Greening AwardArchived2 October 2012 at theWayback Machine
  16. ^"Do you know your cloud from your algorithm? And what exactly is AI? Key questions explained in new podcast Understand: Tech and AI on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds".bbc.Retrieved3 June2024.
  17. ^"BBC News | UK | Pokemon baby swap offer".news.bbc.co.uk.Retrieved3 June2024.

External links[edit]

52°12′46″N0°06′12″E/ 52.2127°N 0.1034°E/52.2127; 0.1034

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