Media UK

URY

URY, based at the University of York's Heslington campus, is a station run by students for students. Pioneering independent radio in the UK, URY began life as an ambition of Mike Greasley, a student at the University of York in 1967. As people continued to tell him that setting up a radio station at the university was impossible, he gained more determination. He was granted a test licence to broadcast in 1967 and very soon the station, simply called Radio York took to the air. Before very long, the station became much more than a hobby for a few students, and in favour of his degree, Mike handed over the reigns, and the station assumed full-time broadcasting status in 1968. The first show was specially recorded for the station by the late, great John Peel, a show which has recently been recovered and is now available on the station's website. Since then it has continued to grow, developing its studio facilities and resources, and gaining the respect and professionalism which can be heard on-air today, but the station remains proud to be the UK's oldest legal independent radio station.

The station's alumni includes Rollo Armstrong (of the band Faithless), BBC Royal Correspondent Peter Hunt, BBC Radio 3's Mark Russell and Tim Smith, often heard on BBC Radio 2.

The station maintains its 'for students, by students' ethos, still running without playlisting and providing a wide variety of programming, covering all genres of music and styles. URY broadcasts 24 hours a day during term times, and is available to listen to online and on Medium Wave to the York University campus.

University Radio York is the BBC Radio One Student Station of the Year 2005.