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Asian radio station in the United Kingdom From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sunrise Radio is a 24-hour Asian commercial radio station, focusing on entertainment, music and news from the Indian subcontinent. It broadcasts to the Greater London area on 963/972 AM, nationally on DAB through the Sound Digital multiplex, and via the internet.[1]
| |
| Broadcast area | Greater London on AM and United Kingdom on DAB |
|---|---|
| Frequency | MW: 963 kHz and 972 kHz DAB: 11A (Sound Digital) |
| Programming | |
| Format | Asian Music, Entertainment & News |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Sunrise Radio London Limited |
| Sunrise Smooth | |
| History | |
First air date | 5 November 1989 (34 years ago) |
Former frequencies | 1413 kHz 1458 kHz |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
According to RAJAR, Sunrise Radio National and Sunrise Radio London broadcast to a combined weekly audience of 425,000 listeners as of December 2023.[2]
Sunrise Radio started life as the pirate radio station Sina Radio, originally founded by Manjit Singh Gehdu and based in Southall, Middlesex from 1984 until 1988.[3][4][5]
In 1989, owned by Avtar Lit, it was awarded a license and officially launched on 5 November 1989 becoming the first 24-hour radio station in the UK specifically for the Asian demographic.[6] It initially broadcast to West London on 1413 AM.[7] In 1994 it took over the BBC's former 1458 kHz frequency which had been used for GLR.
In 1992, the station acquired Sunrise House in Southall which was officially opened on 21 January 1993 by Peter Baldwin Chief Executive of the Radio Authority. In 2016 Sunrise Radio Moved to new purpose built Studio and office in Hounslow, this is also the company's Headquarters.[citation needed]
The station expanded by also broadcasting on satellite television, first on the Astra analogue satellite, and later on Sky Digital.
From 1991 through until August 2004, the Sunrise Radio satellite feed was the source of the live hourly IRN news bulletins for numerous UK commercial, community and hospital radio stations.
In July 2013, Lit was one of forty radio professionals honoured by the Radio Centre for their significant contribution to the growth and success of the industry.[8]
On 13 January 2014, the station would go into administration.[9] The station was bought by the mobile operator Lyca, and was able to retain its license, with a move to 963/972 AM.[10] Tony Lit was appointed managing director, with Gurdev Jassi as chairman.[11]
In November 2014, the Sunrise Radio Training Academy was launched - a free training scheme for those wanting to pursue a career in radio.[12] The scheme allows those wishing to pursue a career in radio to train alongside professionals and learn every aspect of the business, from producing to presenting and radio journalism.
Sunrise Radio went Nationwide on DAB in early 2016.
On 5 November 2019 Sunrise Radio completed 30 years on air.[13]
On 8 May 2023, Sunrise Radio launched Sunrise Smooth, a station playing easy listening Asian music. Sunrise Smooth was launched on DAB in London, but Sunrise Radio confirmed it had plans to launch the station on other DAB platforms in the UK.[14]
Sunrise Radio has organised and sponsored many events and melas, including a collaboration with the London Mayor's office to put together the London Mela,[15] launched in August 2003 in Gunnersbury Park, West London. The event attracted an audience of over 60,000.
In 2004 Sunrise Radio launched the Asian Lifestyle Show at London's Olympia attracting over 40,000 people.[16] The event was widely recognised as the largest celebration of Asian culture in Europe. The show was shortlisted for the 'Best New Consumer Show 2004' by the Association of Event Organisers.[17] The Asian Lifestyle Show 2004-2007 was consistently sold out.
Sunrise Radio has collaborated with University College London (UCL) and Imperial College[18] to support their West End production, Rangeela.
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