Bearcast: UC's Internet Radio Station

As another school year proceeds here at UC, Bearcast, UC’s student Internet radio station is still making the most of their programming. Many new students have joined Bearcast hoping to get out on the airwaves and learn how a station is managed. 

Members of the group serve as DJ’s, managers, and directors, all responsible for the quality of the station’s broadcasting.  New blood in Bearcast has produced some original and interesting shows. 

“I think what makes Bearcast unique is the incredible variety we have in programming,” says Ryann Walton, Music Director at Bearcast.

Sam Fisher and Brett Valls, two new DJ’s to Bearcast have a show titled, “Basscast” in which they take on the personas of two German Astronauts broadcasting dance music down to Earth.  The two play galactic hosts Cristoph Wunderbarr and DJ Ha-Ha.  To keep up with the times, the two have put Basscast on Facebook, Twitter, and iTunes.  Originality and creativity are always at work in the studios of Bearcast, but some of the most interesting programming being aired are shows returning from previous years.

Bearcast includes programming from sports to local news to hip hop music.

• Bearcast veteran Travis Estell has a talk show on Bearcast called, “Explore Cincinnati” during which he discusses issues, problems, and events in Cincinnati.
• Bearcast’s lineup includes a local music show titled, “Three of a Kind” hosted by Spencer Malone and Matt Edge.
• The station also airs a show in which students and young adults can get information and help on how to get a job after graduation.  The show is called, “CDC Live”.  The show is broadcasted by the Career Development Center and is hosted by staff member Terry Bankston.

Bearcast has managed to stay interesting and innovative and this success has not gone unnoticed.  Senior Kole Ross has been nominated for a Student Production award through College Broadcasters Inc.  The three other competitors for the “Best Regularly Scheduled Radio Program” award hail from schools such as Columbia and Berkeley. 

Kole hosts a show on Bearcast that revolves around video games called “Stand Under the Don’t Tree and Riddle Me This.”  The show has been running for seven quarters now. 

“I don’t know how good my prospects are for winning, since I’m up against some really stiff and prestigious competition.” Says Kole about the CBI award, “My show is more chaotic and freeform than theirs, and has more in common with pirate radio than NPR.”

Kole is not sure if he will be able to attend the October 28 awards in Austin, Texas, but says if he does he hopes to bring home some knowledge from the panels as well as an award for Bearcast.

You can learn more about Bearcast programming, DJ’s, and scheduling, as well as listen to station by visiting Bearcast online.

Written by Ben Gerberick, October 2009