Rinse FM
Rinse FM is a London-based underground electronic music radio broadcaster operating four stations (Rinse UK, Rinse France, Kool FM, SWU FM) since 1994, serving global listeners via web and mobile streaming while monetizing through merchandise, a record label, and live events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Rinse FM does
Rinse FM is a London-headquartered underground electronic music radio broadcaster operating since 1994, when it was founded as a pirate radio station. The company operates four distinct radio channels — Rinse UK (garage, grime, dubstep, drum & bass, jungle), Rinse France (techno, house, bass music, headquartered in Paris since 2014), Kool FM (drum & bass and jungle, established 1991 and now integrated), and SWU FM (underground electronic) — distributed globally via a website streaming platform, native iOS and Android mobile applications, and live broadcasts from venues and festivals across the UK and Europe. Programming is structured around named daypart slots (Morning Radio, Prime Time, Afternoon Radio, Spotlight, Worldwide, Talk.Radio, Late Night Radio) and anchored by a network of named DJs, MCs, and presenters including Goldie, D Double E, Skrillex, Katy B, The Streets, Anfisa Letyago, and SP:MC.
The underlying technology is a conventional multi-channel audio streaming and on-demand archive platform rather than a proprietary AI or data product. Rinse FM monetizes through four diversified revenue streams: (1) free-to-access radio broadcasting (freemium), with no disclosed advertising or subscription layer; (2) direct-to-consumer merchandise sales through the Rinse Shop (T-shirts £25-35, hoodies £65, mugs £10, stickers £1.95, slipmats £16); (3) digital music releases through the Rinse record label featuring artists discovered via the station; and (4) live event production, including the Rinse Summer Terrace Party series and stage takeovers at Notting Hill Carnival, Love Saves The Day, Drumsheds, Fabric, and GALA Festival, plus international takeovers in Prague, Stockholm, Madrid, Amsterdam, and Whistler.
The customer base is fragmented across electronic music enthusiasts (free listeners), DJs and producers (content contributors and label customers), and festival/club promoters (B2B partners). With 11-50 employees, no external investors or parent company disclosed, and a 30-year operating history, Rinse FM operates as an independent, founder-led community media business whose competitive position rests on cultural credibility, presenter and artist relationships, and a multi-channel sub-brand portfolio rather than technology differentiation. No revenue, funding, or AI capability is disclosed in the available data.
Rinse FM firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rinse FM
- Legal name
- Rinse FM
- Website
- https://rinse.fm
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Rinse FM is a London-based underground electronic music radio broadcaster operating four stations (Rinse UK, Rinse France, Kool FM, SWU FM) since 1994, serving global listeners via web and mobile streaming while monetizing through merchandise, a record label, and live events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rinse FM industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Radio Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Radio Content Production & Studios (On-air Production, Imaging, Jingles) (MPAIAEAL), Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms (MPAIADAJ)
Keywords
Where Rinse FM is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Rinse FM business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Radio Broadcasting Services: Free-to-access radio broadcasting serving the underground music community with curated programming across multiple electronic music genres.
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, slipmats, and stickers through the online Rinse shop. Prices range from £1.95 for stickers to £65 for hoodies.
- Record Label Releases: The Rinse label releases music from artists featured on the station, generating revenue through digital music sales and streaming royalties. Recent releases include artists like Joe Milli, DWB & Fabio FC, Debba, Braga Circuit, and many more.
- Live Events: Organization and hosting of live events including Rinse Summer Terrace Party, stage takeovers at festivals, and anniversary celebrations. Events such as the 30th anniversary at Drumsheds and Rinse France 10-year anniversary at La Machine du Moulin Rouge are featured.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Radio Access |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Rinse Merchandise |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Record Releases |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Rinse FM product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rinse FM is an underground electronic music radio broadcaster operating four channels (Rinse UK, Rinse France, Kool FM, SWU FM) accessible via website streaming and mobile applications. Beyond live and on-demand programming, it operates an in-house record label releasing music from featured artists, a branded merchandise shop, and a live event series broadcasting from festivals and clubs across Europe and beyond.
Product overview
Rinse FM is a multi-platform underground music radio broadcaster operating four distinct radio stations: Rinse UK (garage, grime, dubstep, drum & bass), Rinse France (techno, house, bass), Kool FM (drum & bass, jungle), and SWU FM (underground electronic). The platform combines live radio broadcasting with on-demand content, structured around programming slots including Morning Radio, Prime Time, Afternoon Radio, Spotlight, Worldwide, Talk.Radio, and Late Night Radio. Rinse FM also operates a record label releasing music from its featured artists, a merchandise shop selling branded apparel, native mobile applications for iOS and Android, and produces live event series at venues across Europe.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kool FM: Drum & Bass and Jungle focused radio channel
- Rinse France
- SWU FM
Products and services
- Rinse UK The flagship UK station broadcasting underground dance music including garage, grime, dubstep, drum & bass, and jungle from London to global audiences via web and mobile streaming.
- Rinse France French station broadcasting electronic music with focus on techno, house, and bass music from Paris, serving the French underground electronic music community.
- Kool FM Drum & bass and jungle focused station featuring shows from artists such as Swampman, Hugh Hardie, Devious D, and Shockin B, broadcasting as a wholly-owned subsidiary channel within the Rinse FM network.
- SWU FM Electronic music channel under the Rinse FM network broadcasting underground electronic music including techno, drum & bass, and experimental sounds.
- Rinse Label The label arm of Rinse FM releasing music from artists featured on the station, with recent releases from artists including Joe Milli, DWB & Fabio FC, Debba, Braga Circuit, and others distributed through standard digital music platforms.
- Rinse Shop Online merchandise store selling Rinse FM and Kool FM branded apparel and accessories including t-shirts (£25-35), hoodies (£65), mugs (£10), stickers (£1.95), and slipmats (£16).
- Rinse Mobile App Native mobile applications for iOS and Android enabling listeners to access live streams and on-demand content from all Rinse FM stations on the go via dedicated apps.
- Rinse Live Events Live event series including Rinse Summer Terrace Party, Rinse Live From Drumsheds, Rinse Live From Love Saves The Day, Rinse Live From Notting Hill Carnival, and various international takeovers at clubs and festivals across Europe and beyond.
Companies that use Rinse FM
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Rinse FM technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Rinse FM partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Rinse FM competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NTS Radio: London-born community internet radio station broadcasting underground and experimental music globally with a similar multi-channel, presenter-led model. Direct competitor for underground electronic music listener mindshare and artist bookings.
- Boiler Room: Global online platform streaming live DJ sets and underground electronic music performances, with strong event and festival integration. Highly comparable on community-led electronic music broadcasting, live event takeovers, and on-demand video/audio archives.
- Sub FM: Bristol-originated UK pirate-turned-internet radio station focused on Drum & Bass, Dubstep, and underground bass music. Closely comparable origin story (pirate radio heritage) and genre overlap with Rinse UK and Kool FM.
- Reprezent Radio: London-based community radio station broadcasting underground music with a strong events and youth engagement programme. Comparable community-led ethos, London base, and focus on emerging underground artists.
Emerging players
- Mixcloud: Long-form DJ mix and radio show hosting platform widely used by underground electronic DJs. Comparable on on-demand hosting of DJ sets and radio shows, but operates as a broader hosting utility rather than a station brand.
- Resident Advisor: Global electronic music platform covering events, ticketing, and editorial content for underground dance music. Comparable on electronic music event listings, artist editorial, and serving the same underground listener community.
Broad incumbents
- BBC Radio 1 / 1Xtra: UK national public broadcaster with dedicated programming for dance, Drum & Bass, and grime. Comparable on UK electronic music radio programming but operates at vastly greater scale with public-service funding rather than community-led, commercial monetization.
Regional players
- Triple J: Australian national youth radio network with strong focus on alternative and electronic music, including the annual Hottest 100. Comparable on tastemaker role for underground and emerging music in a defined geography, but operates in a different market.
Others
- DICE: Event discovery and ticketing platform focused on live music and club events. Comparable ecosystem participant in underground electronic live events where Rinse stages takeovers and broadcasts; serves as a potential distribution and monetization partner.
- Bandcamp: Independent music marketplace for artist-direct digital and physical sales, widely used by electronic labels and producers. Comparable as an adjacent infrastructure layer for underground music discovery and direct artist monetization, complementary to Rinse's label arm.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Rinse FM social profiles
Digital presenceRinse FM financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rinse FM leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Rinse FM subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Rinse FM funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rinse FM M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Rinse FM
What does Rinse FM do?
Rinse FM is an underground electronic music radio broadcaster operating four channels (Rinse UK, Rinse France, Kool FM, SWU FM) accessible via website streaming and mobile applications. Beyond live and on-demand programming, it operates an in-house record label releasing music from featured artists, a branded merchandise shop, and a live event series broadcasting from festivals and clubs across Europe and beyond.
Is Rinse FM a public or private company?
Rinse FM is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Rinse FM founded?
Rinse FM was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Rinse FM based?
Rinse FM is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Rinse FM make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Radio Broadcasting Services are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales, record Label Releases and live Events.
Who are Rinse FM's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NTS Radio, Boiler Room, Sub FM and Reprezent Radio. Emerging players are Mixcloud and Resident Advisor. BBC Radio 1 / 1Xtra is listed as a broad incumbent. Triple J is listed as a regional player. Others are DICE and Bandcamp.
Does Rinse FM have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rinse FM.
What industry is Rinse FM in?
Rinse FM's product category is Online Radio Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAEAE, Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only), with a secondary code of MPAIAEAL, Radio Content Production & Studios (On-air Production, Imaging, Jingles). Its NAICS code is 516110 and its SIC code is 4832.