Rinse FM acquires Bristol’s SWU.FM

London-based radio station Rinse FM has acquired Bristol radio station SWU.FM, which ceased broadcast six months ago due to financial difficulties. Rinse FM had already bought pirate radio station Kool FM in January and is set to relaunch it this weekend as a legal station, broadcasting 24 hours a day from Hoxton in London with more than 180 new shows.

SWU.FM closed down in September 2022 due to the rising costs of energy, difficulty during COVID and other financial issues. The station had been popular in Bristol and there is no word yet on whether it will continue in its original form.

The relaunch of Kool FM as a legal station is a major milestone for the London-based jungle and drum ‘n’ bass station, which has been running for 31 years. DJ Brockie said: “I’ve waited 31 years for this to happen, I have always stayed loyal. Kool means everything to me, that’s why I never left and gave 31 years of my life. Here’s to the future.”

Rinse FM’s acquisition of two popular radio stations shows its ambition to grow its audience and expand its reach beyond London. It remains to be seen what other acquisitions Rinse FM has planned and whether other pirate stations will follow Kool FM in becoming a legal station.