Xpression FM

87.7 Xpression FM
City of license Exeter
Broadcast area University of Exeter(FM)
Worldwide (Online)
Frequency 87.7 MHz (Univ. of Exeter)
First air date 21 February 1976
Format Student radio
Language(s) English
Affiliations UK Student Radio Association
Owner University of Exeter Students' Guild
Website www.xpression.fm

Xpression FM is an award winning campus radio station for the University of Exeter, England. Formerly known as URE (University Radio Exeter), the station has been broadcasting since 1976 and is entirely run by students from the university.

History

Initiated by post-graduates, University Radio Exeter began broadcasting from Devonshire House on low power AM. Hours of broadcast were originally 5pm until 10pm with BBC Radio One carrying as a sustaining service. In the late 1990s it was deemed that, due to remote location, URE was allowed to use a low-power FM system. URE also became part of the Student Broadcast Network. The station was renamed "Xpression FM 87.7" at the start of 2001.

University Radio Exeter was founded in 1976, under the stairs of Devonshire House on the campus of the University of Exeter. At that time, of course, the only means of broadcasting was very low power, using induction loop aerials to broadcast to Halls of residence. Initially the transmitter was installed in the studio. This meant feeding a coaxial cable, carrying the RF signal, just below ground level from Devonshire House to Lafrowda halls of residence. This probably only covered 500 people maximum but seemed to work adequately for around 6 months, until 6 months of gardeners' spade abuse had reduced the transmitter cable to shreds. A rethink resulted in the transmitters being moved to the halls of residence, with the feed from the studio to the halls using cables leased from British Telecom.

In the late 1990s the rules were changed and certain parts of the country were permitted to use a low-power FM system. As an indirect result of joining the Student Broadcast Network (SBN), money became available to convert to low-power FM. Thus, at the start of 2001, the posters for "URE 963" were taken down, and replaced with brand spanking new ones, emblazoned with the logo "Xpression FM 87.7".

In early 2009 the station stopped using XFM as an overnight sustaining service and now broadcasts from the Exeter studio 24 hours a day.

At the 2011 Student Radio Awards, Xpression FM won their first ever gold award for Best Student Radio Chart Show. This award win was followed up by the station winning gold for Best Student Radio Chart Show once more in 2012.

Xpression FM News

Xpression FM has its very own in-house news team. They produce student-focused news in the daily bulletins which are broadcast 10am-6pm, 7 days a week on the station. Fortnightly they have their specialist news show 'The Scoop' expanding on stories covered in the bulletins, as well as featuring exclusive interviews. The Xpression FM news team have had many successful broadcast journalists as part of their team. These include the BBC's Ruth Lovell and Dan O'Brien.

Present Day

Xpression broadcasts live from Devonshire House utilising three studios for simultaneous presentation, production and training. The redevelopment of Devonshire House[1] led to a studio move for Xpression FM. Instead of broadcasting from underneath Devonshire House[2] the studios are situated at the back of the building. The new studios include two live-to-air studios, a third (larger) studio for recording live sessions and group projects, a newsroom, a technology hub and a CD wall.

The studio is linked to two transmitters (situated on top of Lafrowda and Moberley) using a band 1 radio link. The station can be heard via a webcast (provided by Xmedia Online) and through iTunes radio.

Over the years, the committee structure has undergone various changes. In 2009/2010, the Head of Scripted Programming role was created to reflect the diversified content of the station. In 2011/2012, the Head of Sport position was added, following the growing interest in the Sports Team. A second Head of Marketing position was also introduced. In 2012/2013, the new Deputy Station Manager position was introduced to replace the Studio Administrator. The Deputy Station Manager deals with the administration and finances of the station. The new position also replaces the Programmes Controller as a Heads of Media Position.

Awards and nominations

Student Radio Awards[3]

Year Award Category Entry Title
2013 Silver Best Entertainment Programme Wake and Bake with Gareth Jones and Laurence Foreman[4]
2013 Shortlisted Best Marketing and Station Sound Xpression FM[5]
2012 Gold Best Student Radio Chart Show [6]
2012 Silver Best Live Event or Outside Broadcast The Forum Opening [7]
2011 Gold Best Student Radio Chart Show [8]
2010 Shortlisted Best Journalistic Programming Is There A Future For Exelets?[9]
2009 Silver Best Entertainment Programme The Sunday Lunchtime Show with Stephen and David Williams[10]
2009 Shortlisted Best Marketing and Station Sound Xpression FM[11]
2009 Shortlisted Best Scripted Programming "The Garden" (Written by Becca Attfield)[12]
2008 Silver Best Male Presenter Ben Holt [13]

Alumni

Smooth Radio Presenter Emma B.[14][15]

References