University news

Glasgow University Student Television (GUST), the world’s oldest student-run television station, is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

On 9 October, an event organised by Student TV Alumni Network spotlighted GUST’s unparalleled legacy and its ongoing commitment to nurturing young talent in the television industry

The celebrations brought together alumni, current students, and media professionals to mark six decades of innovative student broadcasting.

Since its inception in 1964, GUST has been a trailblazer in student media, predating many professional television stations around the world. The station has served as a launchpad for numerous successful careers in broadcasting, journalism, and media production. Notable alumni include Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Sherlock), John Hardie (former ITN Chief Executive), Andrew Neil (Daily Politics), and Academy Award winner Alex Graham (Man On Wire).

Bethany Gillespie, GUST Controller for 2024-25, emphasised the station’s legacy and said: “For 60 years, GUST has been at the forefront of student media, providing a platform for countless aspiring broadcasters, producers, and technicians. Our anniversary isn’t just about celebrating our past; it’s about securing our legacy for the next 60 years and beyond.”

A key focus of the event was the GUST Archive Preservation Project, which has helped to gather and protect GUST’s extensive archive. This includes footage documenting student life, cultural shifts, and historical moments across six decades.

Former GUST Controller, Sarah Battensby spoke at the celebration event about her experiences with the GUST archives, 10 years on from the GUST50 project, in addition to her career in archiving for television post-graduation.

Ms Battensby said: “The GUST archives are a treasure trove of student television history. From 80s detective dramas starring Steven Moffat to 90s student takeovers of BBC2, our library offers a unique glimpse into the evolution of both student media and British culture.”

The GUST archive, now being held by the University of Glasgow’s Archives & Special Collections, is a hybrid collection of paper, tape, and digital materials dating back to the station’s founding in 1964. The collection reflects the evolution of student media over time and underscores the importance of archival preservation.

Emma Yan, Assistant Archivist at the University of Glasgow’s Archives & Special Collections, said: “The GUST archive is a unique record of student television and its role in capturing key moments in both university and cultural history. By safeguarding this material, we ensure that future generations can access and appreciate the creativity, innovation, and impact of student broadcasting. Our digital preservation programme ensures that GUST’s content will continue to be available for decades to come.”

The 60th-anniversary event included a presentation on the digital archive project, offering practical advice for stations looking to preserve their own history and emphasising the importance of preventing data loss and tape degradation.

As GUST continues to adapt to the changing media landscape, it remains dedicated to its founding principles of creativity, innovation, and student empowerment. The station’s archives not only preserve its history but also serve as a window into the shifting landscape of British media and culture.

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GUST Timeline:

1964

Glasgow University Student Television was founded as a standalone society dedicated to the appreciation of what was a relatively new phenomenon.

1960s

Programmes were not recorded in the early days, but played live to telvisions across the Univerity of Glasgow campus. 

1967

The University established their television studio in Southpark House, and it is still in use today by the Media Production Unit, Film & Television Studies students and GUST.

1973

The National Student Television Association (NaSTA) was established, with GUST one of its founding members.

1976

While at the start GUST broadcast their programmes live across campus, later the station started recording them on tape. The earliest tape held in the UofG's archives collection is from 1976. 

Late 80s/early 90s

Legend has it that GUST bought a RF line*** for just £1, which allowed them to transmit programmes across campus, with screens in places like the QM and the Hub.

***An RF transmission line is a type of transmission line that is used to carry radio frequency (RF) signals over long distances, and they are often used in radio and television broadcasting.

2004

Rather than transmit dead air, GUST would switch to a camera pointed on the office goldfish Gustav. Gustav died live on air while the crew were eating a late-night dinner in the Union.

Mid-2000s

GUST stopped broadcasting via the RF line when the company who owned it sold it off and it wasn’t replaced.

2004/2005

The station purchased the www.gust.tv domain and began posting more and more videos online.

2011

GUST updates its technology and buys its first high-definition digital camera.

2014

GUST celebrates 50 years of student television and  the creation of the Glasgow University Student Television Archive to protect its heritage for future generations.

2024

Today GUST episodes can be watched from around the world via the GUST website. GUST is also modernising its reach by using media outlets such as Instagram, TikTok. 

About GUST:

Glasgow University Student Television (GUST) is the world's oldest student television station, founded in 1964. Based at the University of Glasgow, GUST provides students with practical experience in all aspects of television production, fostering the next generation of media professionals. The station broadcasts a wide range of programming, from news and current affairs to entertainment and cultural content, and has been a stepping stone for many successful careers in the media industry.

About Student TV Alumni Network:

The Student Television Alumni Network (STAN) was formerly known as PaSTA. Up until 2016 it was an organisation within National Student Television Association (NaSTA). In 2016 it was decided to split the two organisations, to help both bodies achieve their aims, which will in turn benefit their respective members. The role of STAN for NaSTA members is to provide them with access to alumni who have gone on from student TV into a wide range of media related careers: television, online, film, PR, advertising, journalism and more.

Glasgow University Student Television Archive:

University of Glasgow Archives & Special Collections cares for the Glasgow University Student Television (GUST) archive (reference ASC 015).  Archives & Special Collections brings together an extensive range of rare, unique, and internationally important collections and is responsible for managing, promoting, enabling access and supporting engagement with the Library’s unique and distinctive collections in the University archive, rare books, manuscripts, business archives and theatre archives.  As part of Archives & Special Collections digital archive this video content is cared for under our digital preservation programme. Processing of the GUST archive is in progress and the catalogue entry indicates which parts of the collection are currently available to researchers.  Enquiries can be made to Archives & Special Collections via library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk

First published: 10 October 2024