News / swu fm
Bristol radio station announces closure amid rising costs
A radio station that relaunched during the Covid-19 pandemic has announced it is to cease broadcasting, blaming rising costs and “massive energy bills”.
With a focus on underground urban and electronic sounds – from grime and hip-hop to house and techno, SWU.FM sought to showcase Bristol talent.
Originally founded in 2016 by Ollie 303 and Tom Koast, the station returned to the airwaves in 2020.
is needed now More than ever
After “fighting against the odds to survive”, the SWU team announced via Twitter that it is having to close down.
The SWU team said: “SWU.FM will cease broadcasting and close on 1st September 2022. SWU launched in the middle of the Covid-19 outbreak and took heavy financial losses in this period.
“Against the odds we managed to survive various lockdowns, navigate restrictions and stabilise. However, recent rising costs and massive energy bills increases have made it impossible for us to continue.
“We want to thank you all for your contributions and support enabling us to create 23 months of great radio.”
Reacting to the news, musician Keeno thanked the station for supporting electronic artists while others expressed sadness, with one fan declaring SWU the “greatest radio station I have ever known”.
Bristol’s nighttime economy advisor Carly Heath said she was “devastated” to hear of the closure, adding: “In SWU.FM’s short life it was an essential hub for Bristol born dance music”.
Previously, SWU.FM had been responsible for some of the major moments in Bristol’s electronic music scene, including a 2017 takeover of Motion. They had also boasted a host of local talent such as pioneering dubstep artist DJ Pinch and drum & bass legend Roni Size.
SWU.FM will cease broadcasting on Thursday.
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