News and Events

New line-up for student radio station

24 February 2009

BU Staff and students cutting ribbon to launch BIRSt

BU’s unique online radio station is back.

BU’s innovative internet ration station BIRSt has returned with new programmes made by new presenters.

The web-based station is entirely managed by students enrolled on BU’s unique MA in Radio Production. Each year since BIRSt was first launched in 2000, the latest crop of Masters students record and present their own programmes which can only be heard via the internet.

From drama and documentaries to comedies and music, the programmes are available on demand, with many productions recorded by international students in their own languages.

John Baish, Managing Director of Bournemouth-based radio station 2CR FM officially opened BIRSt for 2009. He said: “Student radio was really important to me when I was starting out. It gave me a chance to find out what I enjoyed doing, what I was good at and what I really wanted to say.

“The difference here is that BIRSt is a core part of the learning experience, which means that students can put all of their efforts, energy, creativity and excitement into a real broadcast product.”

According to BU Professor Sean Street, the UK’s first Professor of Radio, BIRSt continues to go from strength to strength because of the professional attitude and abilities of the Radio Production students and the quality of the programmes they produce.

Professor Street said: “To date, the station has been highly praised by listeners – many as far afield as Australia, North America and continental Europe. Our track record speaks for itself and this year’s offering promises even greater diversity and interest for a wide range of listens.”

Last November, BU graduates Selina Williams, Eleanor McDowell and Geoff McQueen continued a BIRSt tradition by collecting national Student Radio Awards (SRA) for work originally broadcast via the BU-based station. The success marked the third successive year that BIRSt brought home Gold award from the SRA ceremony.

Students burst through at radio awards