Milligan University has officially launched its student radio station, WUMC, in collaboration with the BBC, marking a significant milestone for the institution. The station is one of nine college radio outlets in Tennessee that will be part of the new initiative, BBC Introducing in America, which debuted on December 5, 2023. Each month, a different college radio station will be featured, with WUMC slated to take the spotlight on January 2, 2026.
Professor Simon J. Dahlman, chair of the performing, visual and communicative arts area at Milligan, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration. “Working with the BBC and the College Radio Foundation is a great partnership for WUMC and a terrific opportunity for our students,” he stated. The staff at WUMC has spent nearly a year preparing for this groundbreaking program, which aims to connect emerging musical talent from the local community with a broader audience.
The initiative seeks to support and promote up-and-coming artists by providing them with a platform to share their music. According to Michal Curlej, the student station manager of WUMC, this program aligns with the station’s mission. “It reflects our mission to support local artists by sharing their work with our listeners,” Curlej noted, highlighting the excitement among students to participate in this unique project.
New musicians and artists from Northeast Tennessee can submit their music for potential airtime on the station. Submissions can be made through the station’s website, milliganradio.com/music. Artists from other regions in the state are encouraged to use the College Radio Foundation’s website, collegeradio.org, to share their work.
BBC Introducing’s Expansion in the U.S.
BBC Introducing in America will be hosted from 90.3 FM WUTK “THE ROCK” at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Each show will feature not only local independent artists from Tennessee but also an artist from the United Kingdom, offering a unique cross-cultural exchange. The first U.K. artist to be spotlighted will be Nectar Woode, who gained recognition through BBC Introducing in 2022 and performed at the Glastonbury festival in 2025.
Since its establishment in 2007, BBC Introducing has facilitated the discovery and promotion of independent artists. The new American initiative aims to support undiscovered talent on an international scale, responding to the growing presence of independent musicians worldwide while continuing its commitment to U.K. artists.
Kelly Betts, editor of BBC Introducing, emphasized the significance of this collaboration. “I’m pleased to announce Introducing’s next chapter, BBC Introducing in America with the College Radio Foundation,” Betts remarked. She highlighted her experience in nurturing new music and expressed enthusiasm for the potential discoveries this partnership may yield in both the U.S. and U.K.
Rob Quicke, founder of the College Radio Foundation, echoed this sentiment, stating that college radio continues to play a crucial role in championing new music. He called the partnership with BBC Introducing in America an “excellent and exciting opportunity” that will provide invaluable experience for student presenters.
This collaboration opens doors for fresh talent, enhancing the connection between local artists and a wider audience while fostering an appreciation for emerging music in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
