10 years on the air and still going strong!
We can trace radio broadcasting at the University back to the launch of Wear FM in 1990. The then holder of then local radio licence for Sunderland was based in Forster Building and students had regular programmes on the station, as well as the chance to work alongside the paid presenters. Wear FM was sold in 1995 and they moved out but left the studios behind.
Utopia FM went on the air in November 1997 as "Radio Utopia" a university based radio station operated as part of the regional arts festival "Visions of Utopia". Hence the name. The name stuck but the sound changed a year later, as Utopia FM took to the air. The sound was more music driven but there were still community programmes, specialist music, comedy and other programmes not normally found on local radio. We were Sunderland's "alternative".
The following years saw presenters come and go, awards were won, sessions were played and Utopia Live was born. Broadcasts increased from once to twice a year and a regular pattern of being on the air in September and May was established.
Today, the station is recognised as being a firm fixture in the student radio landscape and integral part of University life.
What's next? We now been awarded a fulltime community raido licence, so we'll be on the air all day, every day across the year.[read more]
The station is managed by volunteer students and is owned and operated by the University of Sunderland.
Contact:
Station Manager (Academic) : Richard Berry
The Media Centre, Sunderland, SR6 0DD
0191 515 2239
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