Bailrigg FM

What Bailrigg FM does

Bailrigg FM is a student-run radio station operating continuously since 1969 as part of Lancaster University's media network. The station broadcasts 24/7 on FM frequency 95.3 across the Lancaster University campus and surrounding area, with parallel online streaming via bailriggfm.co.uk. It holds the distinction of being the first UK student radio station to operate on an FM frequency and produces all content under OFCOM regulatory oversight. Programming spans over 122 distinct shows including genre-specific music programmes (The 80's Show, Classical Gas, The Vinyl Hour), talk segments (Prêt à Parler, Can we get the bill?), Live Lounge artist sessions, and the continuous automated Bailrigg FM Playlist that fills off-air hours. The station also maintains an archive of podcasts featuring artist and political interviews (e.g., Caroline Lucas MP) and live session recordings.

The station's product surface includes live radio broadcasting, an automated 24/7 playlist, on-demand podcast archives, and recurring live events. Its technology stack consists of two professional studios with industry-standard broadcasting equipment, FM transmission infrastructure, an online streaming platform, and a WordPress-based website. Major annual events include Battle of the Bands (a competition for local musicians) and exclusive broadcast coverage of Roses, Europe's largest varsity competition between Lancaster and York universities, which deploys a team of 200+ student volunteers.

Bailrigg FM operates as a student society under the Lancaster Students' Union (LUSU) framework rather than as a commercial entity. Revenue is generated through annual membership fees sold via the LUSU website, plus a tiered society membership that allows other university societies to host their own radio shows with training. No advertising rate cards, sponsorship disclosures, or external funding rounds are reported. The station is managed by an elected student executive (Station Manager, Chairperson, Treasurer) and department heads across Engineering, Music, News, Content, Production, and Webmaster functions. Strategic partners include LA1tv (campus television, for video co-coverage), the Student Radio Association (SRA, for industry competition participation), and the Roses organisation (for varsity sports broadcasting).

Name

Bailrigg FM

Legal name

Bailrigg FM

Website

https://bailriggfm.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bailrigg FM is a volunteer-driven student radio station at Lancaster University, broadcasting 24/7 on FM 95.3 and online since 1969. It serves Lancaster University students with curated music shows, talk programming, podcasts, and live events including Battle of the Bands and Roses varsity coverage.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

University/Educational Local Stations (College Radio, Campus TV) (MPABACAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms (MPAIADAJ)

Keywords

• Student radio station
• FM radio broadcasting
• Music programming
• Live event coverage
• Student media

Headquarters

HQ city

Lancaster

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership sold through Lancaster Students' Union website, providing access to station facilities, training, and show hosting opportunities
2. Society Membership: Special society membership allowing other student societies to have their own radio shows with training provided for members
3. Broadcasting Services: Provides broadcasting coverage for events like Roses (Europe's largest varsity competition) and Battle of the Bands, potentially generating revenue through coverage partnerships

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bailrigg FM is a student-run radio station broadcasting 24/7 on FM frequency 95.3 across the Lancaster University campus and via online streaming. It produces music shows, podcasts, artist interviews, news content, and live event coverage including the Battle of the Bands competition and Roses varsity sports coverage, all under OFCOM regulation. The station is one of the UK's oldest student radio stations, founded in 1969.

Product overview

Bailrigg FM is a single, unified student radio station service offering 24/7 broadcasting across FM frequency 95.3 and online streaming. The core offering consists of live radio shows (over 122 programs spanning music genres, talk shows, and live performances), podcasts (archived interviews and sessions), and the automated Bailrigg FM Playlist for off-hours programming. Major events include the annual Battle of the Bands competition and Roses varsity sports coverage. Membership provides access to studios, equipment, and training. All content is student-produced and OFCOM-regulated.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bailrigg FM Radio Station Student-run radio station broadcasting 24/7 on FM frequency 95.3 across Lancaster University campus and via online streaming at bailriggfm.co.uk. The station is OFCOM-regulated and offers music shows, artist interviews, news, and live event coverage to Lancaster University students and the surrounding community.
• Radio Shows Over 122 distinct radio programs including music shows (The 80's Show, Institute of House, The Vinyl Hour), talk shows (Prêt à Parler, Can we get the bill?), genre-specific shows (Classical Gas, Play it again Sam?), and live performance sessions (Live Lounge series) hosted by student presenters.
• Podcasts Archived podcast content including artist interviews (Lowes Interview), political interviews (A Chat with Caroline Lucas MP), and live session recordings (The FTO Catchup, Chicago Sunroof Live Lounge) available for on-demand streaming.
• The Bailrigg FM Playlist Continuous 24/7 automated curated music playlist that runs from 00:00 to 23:59 daily when no live shows are scheduled, ensuring uninterrupted broadcasting.
• Battle of the Bands Annual music competition event hosted by Bailrigg FM featuring local bands competing for prizes, held at the Sugarhouse venue in partnership with LA1tv.
• Roses Varsity Coverage Exclusive broadcast coverage of Roses, Europe's largest varsity competition between Lancaster and York universities, featuring over 200 sports streams with a team of over 200 student media volunteers.
• Society Membership Annual membership offered to Lancaster University students providing access to industry-standard broadcasting equipment, training, two professional studios, and office/lounge space. Society memberships are also available for student societies to host their own radio shows.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 sports streams broadcast during Roses competition
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LA1tvcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026LA1tv is Lancaster University's television station. Bailrigg FM and LA1tv co-present events including Battle of the Bands 2026 and Live Lounge sessions. Both media organizations collaborate on video and audio coverage of performances, with events held at Sugarhouse venue.
• Lancaster UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs part of Lancaster University's media network, Bailrigg FM operates on campus and is integrated with university life, covering events like Roses varsity competition and providing students with broadcasting experience.
• Student Radio Association (SRA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBailrigg FM participates in Student Radio Awards chart shows and competitions organized by the SRA, the representative body for UK student radio stations.
• Lancaster Students' Union (LUSU)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLUSU handles membership sales for Bailrigg FM through their website, and provides official recognition as a student society on campus.
• Roses Varsity CompetitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBailrigg FM is one of the exclusive societies involved with coverage of Roses, Europe's largest varsity competition between Lancaster and York universities, broadcasting over 200 sports streams with a team of over 200 student media volunteers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Xpress Radio: Cardiff University Student Union's radio station, broadcasting on FM and online with student-produced programming. Directly comparable as a UK university student radio station with similar volunteer, membership-funded structure.
• University Radio York: University of York's student radio station, also broadcasting on FM and online. Directly comparable as a UK campus-based student radio station with similar membership, programming, and OFCOM-regulated operations, and direct counterparty in Roses varsity coverage.
• Spark FM: University of Sunderland's student radio station broadcasting on FM and online. Comparable as a UK campus-based student radio station with similar volunteer operations and educational positioning.
• Fly FM: University of Nottingham's student radio station, broadcasting across campus and online. Comparable as a UK university student radio station with similar format, volunteer base, and university-society model.
• Leeds Student Radio (LSR): Student radio operation at the University of Leeds, providing music, talk, and news programming. Comparable as a peer UK university student station with similar volunteer structure and membership funding model.

Broad incumbents

• Radar Radio: Independent London-based online radio station. While not a student station, it is comparable as a UK digital radio broadcaster with a youth-oriented, music-discovery format that overlaps with Bailrigg FM's playlist positioning.

Others

• LA1tv: Lancaster University's student television station and existing Bailrigg FM partner. Comparable as an adjacent student media organisation on the same campus, sharing events like Battle of the Bands and Live Lounge sessions — useful as a benchmark for cross-campus media cooperation.
• Student Radio Association: The representative body for UK student radio stations, of which Bailrigg FM is a member. Not a direct competitor but a peer network that provides awards (SRA Chart Show), training, and industry connections that materially shape Bailrigg FM's competitive context.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bailrigg_fm
• Facebookfacebook.com/BailriggFM
• Instagraminstagram.com/bailrigg_fm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bailrigg FM