OUR HISTORY
Our first home was in St Paul’s Church, Clifton
INFORMATION
However, campaigning from 2000/01 Station Manager Sam Roberts led to our first ever home in the Richmond Building, where we have broadcast ever since!
Our First Home in the Richmond Building - Late 2000
With a lick of paint and some TLC, this 5th floor studio quickly became home.
Our Wonderful Studios
Student Radio in Bristol has an expansive history.
It all began in 1995 with a collaboration of UWE and UoB, forming what became Fresh FM.
Separation occurred just two years later when BurstFM was set up under a temporary FM licence.
Former Station Manager Will Moss with the 6 Music DJs
Presentation of our 2022 Amplify Award
Students Broadcasting from St Paul’s Church, Clifton - 2000
The first studio in the Richmond Building served us for over a decade. A converted water closet, the studio still had a working toilet in the middle, braved by many first-time hosts!
Former Station Manager David Sheppard and co-host - 2004
After a successful few years of fundraising, Burst returned to the airwaves with a new setup in the 2010/11 Academic year.
With 2007 came Project Excalibur, a move from FM to AM.
A visit by BBC Radio 6 Music DJs Steve Lamacq and Shaun Keaveny culminated in a live simulcast, relaunching Burst to the country on 1134 AM via a transmitter in Stoke Bishop.
However, with 2008 came disaster. A mass computer failure left Burst without Broadcast capabilities for the following 2 years.
The Final Iteration of our 5th Floor Studios
Renovation of the Richmond Building forced a second move in Burst’s history. The station moved to its present location on the ground floor.
This began a prosperous time for the station, with frequent collaborations with BCFM and BBC Radio Bristol, and even an interview with the Wurzels!
However, in 2023, a second tragedy occurred.
With Burst off air came our second big fundraising initiative, Bursting Back Into Orbit.
With funds raised, Burst returned to its home and rebegan regular broadcasting.
As of 2026, Burst is a bigger Station than ever before.
Operating daily from 9am-10pm live from the Richmond Building, we have a membership of over 130 students, and maintain a crucial role in student life at the University of Bristol.
We now run as an online-only station from our studios in the Richmond Building on Queens Road, where we have a professional broadcast studio and an adjoining production office.
Committee History
The wonderful people behind Burst Radio, from 1997 to today.
Awards & Recognition
Celebrating the Achievements of Burst Radio.