BurnFM.com is an internet radio station based at the University of Birmingham. The original name - from 1996 to 2009 - was Burn FM. 'Burn' stands for 'Birmingham University Radio Network'
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The station was founded in Spring 1996, and, until October 2006, it broadcast twice a year on a FM, usually in October and March for 28 days each time.
A planned broadcast was missed in Spring 2002 because of an administrative error. In 2008, broadcasting had to be postponed for two semesters because of a lack of air conditioning in the studio. The basement location of the studio means that it is close to the Guild of Students boiler, and so the studio and the Guild were at risk. In the summer of 2008, the studio underwent a major refurbishment in an attempt to avoid those complications recurring. In 2009 BurnFM was rebranded and went back on-air.
BurnFM.com caters for a variety of musical tastes, and shows are particularly targeted at Selly Oak, where many students live. Specialist shows aim to provide distinctive playlists and fewer spoken features than mainstream shows.
The studio is located at the University of Birmingham Guild of Students - on the main campus at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Broadcasts are from 10am daily, with transmissions ending at 11pm, except Saturdays, when transmissions end at 9pm.
In August 2004, lightning struck the building, and damaged the transmission aerial. This resulted in damage, valued at £13 000, to the broadcast mixer and other equipment. An insurance payout resulted in a new studio being fitted for the Autumn 2005 broadcast. For the 2004-5 academic year, equipment had to be loaned.
It was during the Spring 2005 broadcast that BBC 6 Music came to Birmingham for a one-off, outside broadcast from the studio. The Phill Jupitus Breakfast Show on 11 March was presented from the BurnFM.com studio.
'Restricted Service Licences' - RSLs - last for 28 days, and only two can be held in one calendar year. This is stipulated by Ofcom. Therefore, an internet licence has been granted by the University for the first time; this will allow the station to broadcast for the whole semester. Before this, internet broadcasting had been offered in conjunction with FM broadcasts - a simulcast - only.
Volunteers run the station. All of them must be enrolled students of the University of Birmingham. Any student may become a committee member. Positions are held for twelve months maximum starting in November; however, members may seek re-election. Positions available include:
Station Manager
Deputy Station Manager
Assistant Station Manager
Head of Mainstream Programming
Head of Specialist Programming
Head of Arts and Culture
Head of News
Head of Music
Head of Sport
Social secretary
Head of Marketing
Head of Technical
Head of Podcasting
All of the heads of department also have a deputy, elected to assist them in their duties and stand in for them if necessary. All Committee members complete at least 4 hours of supervision a week as part of their role. The station is an active member of the Student Radio Association.