Here are some quick answers to commonly asked questions. If you've got a question that isn't answered below, please email info@bsrlive.com and ask away!

What's on the air? Why?

Whatever our staff wants to program, within the bounds of legality and good taste, as long as it educates and/or entertains the curious listener, and is not mimicking what can be easily heard on other locally available stations. BSR prides itself on including the best of all radio formats. Music of many genres, styles, and cultures constantly comes into the station for our DJs to play. Musicians perform live in-studio on a weekly basis. Our features shows incorporate such diverse elements as documentaries, current events, news, public affairs, comedy, radio theater, interviews, call-ins, sports live from the courtside, politics, debates, panel discussions, found sound, experimental noise, and anything else creative programmers can come up with. We are 100% non-commercial and freeform; our programming is an excellent alternative for listeners who want to be surprised, challenged, and excited by music and informational programming unavailable elsewhere on their radios. You can hear this for yourself in our archives.

I'd like to be on the air at BSR. How do I get a show? How long will it take?

To get a show of your own, you need to become an approved programmer. The training process is designed to familiarize interested trainees with our existing programming, our rules and policies, and our broadcast & production studios. You will be paired with a mentor who has already been trained, and he or she will introduce you to the way our programs work. Most trainees have no problem completing the entire process, which ends with two tests and the production of a demo episode, within a 4-month season. During this time - and for the duration of your time as an approved programmer - you will be expected to complete at least 8 hours of volunteer work per month. For more information on training, please email trainingcoordinator@bsrlive.com.

Since we make a new schedule three times per year, those who've completed training typically don't have to wait long to get a regular show. Before this time, all approved programmers are free to substitute for other shows. Those who have not yet completed training are also welcome to contribute to our team shows, including Live Block, the Radio Show, and Off the Beat (see below).

What if I want to be on the air but I don't want my own show?

You might be perfect for one of our team shows! If you're interested in working with live bands, consider joining Live Block, a long-running program that brings artists from around the city (and elsewhere) into our studios for an hour each Thursday. Alternately, if you're interested in non-music programming, including documentaries, interviews, storytelling, and sound experiments, you might like to contribute to The Radio Show. Budding reporters might be interested in our award-winning news show, Off the Beat, which brings us biweekly stories from around the city. No experience is necessary to work on any of these shows: we'll be happy to provide you with the necessarily training.

I want to volunteer at a radio station. How can I help out at BSR?

There are countless ways to get involved at BSR. Even if you're not on the air every week, there are always tasks needing volunteer assistance. Volunteers keep BSR afloat, doing everything from database entry to reviewing music to sitting on the Programming Board. Other activities include processing new music, reviewing programming, designing graphics, producing bumpers & promos, office staffing, street team publicity, technical help, interviewing, media activism, helping out on existing shows, being involved in decision making, fundraising, community outreach, training, contacting record labels, planning & organizing events, selling underwriting, and library organizing & cleaning. If none of the above interests you, then maybe you shouldn't be in radio!

The Volunteers Director is the best person to talk to for help finding work around the station that matches your interests. If you know you'd like to help in a particular area such as publicity/promotions, tech, business development, or production, you are also welcome to approach the director of the relevant department. A list of Department Directors and their email addresses can be found here. 

What's the difference between WBRU and BSR? Why does Brown have two stations?

WBRU and BSR come from the same roots, the Brown Network. WBRU is a fully commercial radio station owned by an independent corporation called the Brown Broadcasting Service, and it is run by Brown students and a few paid professionals. Since they are a modern-rock 'alternative' formatted station, their DJs don't make the playlists. BSR is student- and community-run, and our programmers personally select and produce our content. As noted above, BSR is a freeform station dedicated to all genres of radio. WBRU is financially and legally independent from Brown; BSR is funded mostly by the University, grants, and alumni & listener support. WBRU and BSR have completely different goals and offer very different opportunities, which is why there are two stations in which Brown students participate.