| Radio Warwick | |
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| Broadcast area | University of Warwick |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1251 kHz AM, Online |
| First air date | 1970 |
| Format | Contemporary |
| Owner | Independent |
Radio Warwick or RaW is the student radio station at the University of Warwick and winner of the 2000 and 2003 BBC Radio 1 Student Radio Association Best Station awards. Formerly known as W963, during the years when broadcasts were conducted via an induction loop around the university campus on 963 kHz AM, Radio Warwick now broadcasts from the top of the Students' Union South building on 1251 kHz AM to the campus and on FM for four weeks each year to Coventry, Kenilworth and surrounding areas. Radio Warwick also streams all its output online.
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History
Radio Warwick began life as University Radio Warwick in the 1970-71 academic year by students who spent their summer vacation installing an induction loop transmission system in the Rootes residence buildings. (One of these students was David Davis, who would later go on to become the Shadow Home Secretary under the Conservatives.) The studios consisted of a wooden hut behind Rootes M (Meriden House) and broadcasted at 963kHz. The station was soon rebranded to W963. Around 1975, the station was moved into the newly constructed social building (which would eventually become the Students' Union Building) and remains there to this day. On 30 January 1999, W963 rebranded itself as RaW and on 30 September 1999, the station began broadcasting on 1251 kHz AM, discarding the then obsolete induction loop system.
Activities
Radio Warwick provided a special broadcast service for the International Children's Games held in Coventry in July 2005. In late 2005, David Davis, the Shadow Home Secretary, launched his bid for the Conservative Party leadership with a visit to RaW, the station which he helped to found. Following an interview in the studio (surrounded by around 20 journalists), Davis held a Press Conference in the Rootes Panorama Room, which symbolised the beginning of his campaign. His interview in the studio was later syndicated by BBC Radio 4 and the trip to the station reported on a number of media outlets. 2006 is seeing a large amount of work being done to the station. Studio 1 has seen the installation of a bespoke digital playout system ('Digiplay') as well as redecoration and a new office was built in the foyer of the station, allowing DJs to work undisturbed.
Awards
RaW has twice been named the Student Radio Association's Station of the Year, in 2000 and 2003. RaW received the Silver award in Best Station in 2006 In 2006, RaW received two awards from the University of Warwick Students' Union. The station was named Best Society for its work furthering members' interests over the past 12 months. It also picked up the award for Best Non-Social Event for its coverage of the International Children's Games in Summer 2005. At the 2005 Student Radio Awards, RaW had four nominations (in News and Talk, Comedy and Drama, Entertainment and Sport categories). The sport entry (for RaW Sport: Not Out) came second.
Famous Alumni
- David Davis, Conservative leadership candidate and current shadow Home Secretary
- James King, BBC Radio 1's film reviewer
- Timmy Mallett, Children's TV presenter in the 1980s and 1990s
- Simon Mayo, BBC Radio 5Live presenter
- Stephen Merchant, Co-writer of The Office and Extras, in which he also co-starred
- Leona Graham, Virgin Radio presenter and prominent voiceover artist
- Nicola Stanbridge, Journalist on BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme
