Shock Radio
Shock Radio & TV is a student media network at the University of Salford, operating Manchester's biggest student radio station and an affiliated TV channel under Salford Students' Union, serving student members through paid memberships and producing radio, TV, news, and sport content.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersSalford, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Shock Radio does
Shock Radio & TV is a student media network at the University of Salford, founded in 1998 and broadcasting on air since November 2002. It operates as Manchester's biggest student radio station and Salford Students' Union's only official student TV station from studios at University House on the Salford campus, hosting more than 70 radio shows with hundreds of student presenters, producers, and contributors across a unified Radio and TV network brand.
The product portfolio centres on Shock Radio (music, news, sport, and entertainment programming), Shock TV (more than 200 video uploads per year, 50,000+ views), and specialist sub-brands including Shock Sport (multi-location Varsity broadcasts), Shock News (with IRN-fed bulletins and the weekly Shock News Show podcast), the "My Career So Far" interview podcast, and catch-up on-demand listening via Mixcloud. Technical infrastructure rests on the Zetta broadcast automation system, PlayItLIVE for remote outside broadcasts, a custom flightcase OB rack, an Axia-equipped TV studio in Studio 2, and Benztown-licensed audio branding.
The revenue model is membership-driven and non-commercial: three paid tiers — full year at £62, single semester at £32, and a hoodie bundle at £90 — grant members a guaranteed show slot, SRA and NaSTA affiliation, and access to studios and events. A secondary advertising and sponsorship stream targets brands seeking access to Manchester's student audience. Salford Students' Union manages the bank account, provides studio space and insurance, and recognises Shock as a priority society; the University of Salford is not a direct funder but provides in-kind facilities, and the entire organisation runs on elected student committees with no external investors.
Shock Radio firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Shock Radio
- Legal name
- Shock Radio & TV
- Website
- https://shockradio.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Shock Radio & TV is a student media network at the University of Salford, operating Manchester's biggest student radio station and an affiliated TV channel under Salford Students' Union, serving student members through paid memberships and producing radio, TV, news, and sport content.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Shock Radio industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Student Radio and Television Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Television Broadcasting Stations (516120)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832), Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Student Media & Publications (Newspaper, Radio, TV) (EDALAHAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- University/Educational Local Stations (College Radio, Campus TV) (MPABACAH), University/College-licensed Public Broadcasting (TV & Radio) (MPABADAD), Educational/Instructional Public Media Services (Schools, Distance Learning) (MPABADAH)
Keywords
Where Shock Radio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Salford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Shock Radio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Shock generates revenue through paid membership tiers. Full year student membership costs £62 and includes access to all events, a guaranteed radio show slot, SRA membership, and NaSTA membership. Single semester membership is £32. A bundle with a hoodie is £90.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Full Year Student Membership |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Single Semester Membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Full Year Membership + Hoodie Bundle |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Shock Radio product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Shock Radio & TV is a student media network at the University of Salford that broadcasts a 24-hour live online radio station with over 70 student-hosted shows and produces student-led television content covering news, sport, music, and original programming. It functions as a non-profit student society funded primarily through annual membership fees (£62/year or £32/semester) that gives students access to professional broadcast studios, guaranteed show slots, and training in radio and TV production.
Product overview
Shock Radio & TV is a student media network operated by the University of Salford's Students' Union, comprising two core products under a unified network brand: Shock Radio (Manchester's biggest student radio station, broadcasting live online 24 hours a day from University House) and Shock TV (Salford SU's official student TV station, producing over 200 annual uploads with 50,000+ views). The two core products are complemented by specialist sub-products including Shock Sport (live sports broadcasting), Shock News (news bulletins and the Shock News Podcast), and on-demand catch-up content distributed via Mixcloud. A network podcast series ('My Career So Far') and flagship TV productions (e.g., University House, Deal or No Deal) round out the content portfolio. The network also maintains the Shock Wiki as an internal training and operations knowledge base. The network serves over 70 radio show hosts and hundreds of student volunteers, broadcasting primarily via live online streaming and YouTube, with archived shows distributed through Mixcloud.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Shock Radio Manchester's biggest student radio station, broadcasting live online 24 hours a day from studios at University House, University of Salford, hosting over 70 student-presented music, entertainment, news, and sport shows.
- Shock TV Salford SU's official student TV station, producing 200+ uploads annually with 50,000+ views, affiliated with the National Student Television Association (NaSTA), covering live events, Varsity sports from five locations, original series, and news programming.
- Shock Sport Live sports broadcasting and commentary at the University of Salford, covering games across campus and beyond, including the 'Your Uni, Your Team' programme and the annual Varsity coverage streamed from five locations.
- Shock News News bulletins and podcast episodes covering local, national, and student-interest stories, delivered live with IRN content and original student reporting, including the dedicated Shock News Show.
- Shock Radio Catch-Up / On-Demand On-demand and catch-up service allowing listeners to access archived shows through Mixcloud, with over 16,000 listens recorded on the Mixcloud page in 2025/26.
- Shock Wiki Internal wiki and training platform serving as the primary knowledge base and operational guide for Shock Radio & TV members, covering studio operations, Zetta broadcast automation, outside broadcasts, news bulletins, imaging, and station governance.
- Shock TV 'My Career So Far' Podcast A podcast series featuring interviews with media industry guests about their career journeys, with notable guests including Matt Richardson, Vicky Hawkesworth, and Matt Foister, hosted by Ciara Aston and Sophie Milligan.
- Shock Radio Membership Paid annual membership programme giving students access to all Shock events and projects, a guaranteed radio show slot, SRA membership, and NaSTA membership, with three tiers: Full Year at £62, Single Semester at £32, and Full Year + branded hoodie bundle at £90.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 50,000 views for Shock TV content in 2024/25
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Shock Radio
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Shock Radio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature3 records
Shock Radio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Moore Student RadiominorShock Radio collaborated with Moore Student Radio on the Moore Than A Marathon event, walking over 35 miles to raise £2,488 for Movember. Both stations provided hourly updates and a special drivetime collaboration. Also collaborated on Varsity 2025 coverage.
- BBC Asian NetworkminorShock member Zaara Hussain-Ali was selected as one of 12 presenters for BBC Asian Network Represents, a platform showcasing undiscovered voices on BBC Asian Network. This provided a talent pipeline and broadcasting opportunity for a Shock member.
- Christie CharityminorShock participated in a Three Peaks Challenge broadcast across 9 student radio stations, raising funds for the Christie Charity.
- Mind in SalfordminorShock Radio's annual Charity Campsite has partnered with Mind in Salford as its chosen charity beneficiary, raising £1,760 in one year and £1,685 in 2024/25 for mental health awareness.
- National Student Television Association (NaSTA)coreShock TV is affiliated with NaSTA as an official student TV station. NaSTA membership is included with all paid Shock memberships and Shock TV competed at the 51st NaSTA Conference & Awards as a host station.
- Salford Students' UnioncoreShock Radio & TV is Salford SU's official student media network. The SU provides office and studio space (University House), manages Shock's bank account, provides insurance, and has recognised Shock as a priority society. Shock must abide by Salford SU rules and constitution.
- University of SalfordminorThe University of Salford, through its School of Creative Arts and Media, provides studio facilities at University House and has supported Shock with funding for new studios. The university provides access to Adobe Audition software for media students. Shock is not directly university funded but operates within the university ecosystem.
- Student Radio Association (SRA)coreShock Radio is a member of the Student Radio Association, which provides SRA membership to all paid members. The SRA organises the annual SRA Awards and Amplify Awards, and the Student Radio Conference.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Shock Radio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Fuse FM: Fuse FM is the University of Manchester's student radio station. It is highly comparable because it serves a similar Greater Manchester student audience with student-produced radio programming and volunteer presenter opportunities.
Regional players
- Forge Media: Forge Media is the University of Sheffield's student media organization, spanning radio, TV, and written content. It is comparable to Shock's combined Shock Radio and Shock TV model as a multi-format student media network.
- Leeds Student Radio: Leeds Student Radio is a student-run radio station serving the University of Leeds community. It is comparable as a UK university-based station focused on student presenters, music, speech, and community programming.
- Smoke Radio: Smoke Radio is the University of Westminster's student radio station. It is comparable because it provides student-led broadcasting, presenter development, and online radio content for a university community.
- University Radio Nottingham: University Radio Nottingham is a long-running student radio station at the University of Nottingham. It is comparable as an award-oriented student broadcaster with live programming and student media training.
- Nerve Media: Nerve Media is Bournemouth University's student media platform, including Nerve Radio and wider student content. It is comparable to Shock because both combine student broadcasting with broader media production and community engagement.
- Fly Live: Fly Live is Nottingham Trent Students' Union's student radio station. It is comparable as a university-affiliated, student-led radio outlet producing online programming and developing student broadcast talent.
- XpressionFM: XpressionFM is the University of Exeter's student radio station. It is comparable because it operates as a student-run radio platform with presenter slots, music programming, and campus community reach.
- Demon FM: Demon FM is associated with De Montfort University and student broadcasting in Leicester. It is comparable as a university-linked radio station offering student-led shows, training, and local/student audience engagement.
- KCL Radio: KCL Radio is King's College London's student radio station. It is comparable because it is a student-run online broadcaster serving a university community with music, talk, and presenter development.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Shock Radio social profiles
Digital presenceShock Radio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Shock Radio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Shock Radio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Shock Radio 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 Shock Radio
What does Shock Radio do?
Shock Radio & TV is a student media network at the University of Salford that broadcasts a 24-hour live online radio station with over 70 student-hosted shows and produces student-led television content covering news, sport, music, and original programming. It functions as a non-profit student society funded primarily through annual membership fees (£62/year or £32/semester) that gives students access to professional broadcast studios, guaranteed show slots, and training in radio and TV production.
Is Shock Radio a public or private company?
Shock Radio is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Shock Radio founded?
Shock Radio was founded in 1998. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Shock Radio based?
Shock Radio is headquartered in Salford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Shock Radio make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership Fees.
Who are Shock Radio's main competitors?
Fuse FM is listed as a direct peer. Regional players are Forge Media, Leeds Student Radio, Smoke Radio, University Radio Nottingham, Nerve Media, Fly Live, XpressionFM, Demon FM and KCL Radio.
Does Shock Radio have an API?
No public API is recorded for Shock Radio.
What industry is Shock Radio in?
Shock Radio's product category is Student Radio and Television Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDALAHAE, Student Media & Publications (Newspaper, Radio, TV), with a secondary code of MPABACAH, University/Educational Local Stations (College Radio, Campus TV). Its NAICS code is 5161 and its SIC code is 4832.