Student Radio Association

Rare FM has just celebrated its 10th Birthday.
What we lack in money we make up in style and talent.
Rare FM boasts one of the most packed Student Radio Schedules in the country with over 100 DJs presenting shows in 2008/2009.
We have broadcast on 88.7 FM for a couple of weeks at a time over the years in central London, but low funding means this isn't always possible.
Due to the many DJs, there are many tastes and a lot of different music - You are bound to find something you like.

Hear Rare FM

• Online

Station Founded 1998

1998

Rare founded by Ed Jackson.

September 28th - October 26th 1998 RSL (Restricted Service Licence)

Rare FM broadcasts on 87.7 for 28 days.

Either it, or another London radio station with the same name, gets mentioned in a letter written to the now defunct Melody Maker.

It is the first radio station to have played a Coldplay track.

October 17 - November 13 1999 RSL

Rare FM broadcasts on 87.7 for 28 days.

2000

The station wins UCL Union Society of the Year.

Rare launches internet broadcasting as RSLs have been temporarily suspended due to the launch of a new commerical station.

2002 - 2003

Rare FM broadcasts on shared license with Shalom FM, Rare takes the weekends.

February 2004 RSL

Rare FM broadcasts on 87.7 for the entire month. 

September 2004 - June 2005

Thanks to Richard Jacob's revamping of the internet streaming, Rare FM broadcasts near continuously online, with over forty hours of programming a week during the autumn and spring terms. Fundraising for an RSL is unsuccessful. 

September 2005

Rare FM is featured in both The Independent and the Time Out Student Guide

23rd of September to the 2nd of October 2005

Rare FM broadcasts on 87.7 for ten days.

2005 - 2006

i like it rare launched at Asylum, Soho. Bjork turns up but doesn't stay very long. Over the year the club night moves to Thirst (Soho) and finally the Salmon & Compass (Angel).

Rare FM is named UCLU Arts Society of the Year.

2008-2009

FM broadcast in March 2008 on 87.7 FM for 2 weeks
Rare FM celebrates its 10th Birthday!
New studio space allocated within the Union building and lots of new equipment purchased.
Studio wall is painted with a mental design, but extremely eye catching!

Station Alumni of Note

• Karyn Miller - Head of Spoken Word 1999-2000 went on to be a successful journalist at Vogue and the Mail on Sunday.
• Alex Zane - DJ in 1999-2000 (with weekly show "It's Alex Zane!"), went on to be a presenter for XFM and MTV.
• Nick Godwin - DJ in 2000-2001 is working as a DJ on London Live.

Station Manager: Stefan Arif

Station Manager: Ben Lawrence

Treasurer: Brooke Burfitt-Dons

Here's the latest news from Rare FM

• Rare FM: Spring Term + The Bizets Rare Session. (20th January '10)
  Hello everyoneWelcome back to UCL for the spring term! We hope you've had a chance to do your first show of the new term and let everyone know what you've been doing and listening to over the holidays. read more

• Rare FM: Spring Term and Rare Sessions. (20th January '10)
  Hello everyone,Welcome back to UCL for the spring term! We hope you've had a chance to do your first show of the new term and let everyone know what you've been doing and listening to over the holidays. read more

• Rare FM: Spring Term and More Rare Sessions. (20th January '10)
  Hello everyone,Welcome back to UCL for the spring term! We hope you've had a chance to do your first show of the new term and let everyone know what you've been doing and listening to over the holidays. read more

London & East Anglia Region