Sunrise Radio Explained

Sunrise Radio
Airdate:5 November 1989 (34 years ago)
Former Frequencies:1413 kHz
1458 kHz
Frequency:MW

963 kHz and 972 kHz
DAB: 11A (Sound Digital)

Area:Greater London on AM and United Kingdom on DAB
Format:Asian Music, Entertainment & News
Owner:Sunrise Radio London Limited
Sister Stations:Sunrise Smooth

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]

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]

History

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.[8]

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.[9]

On 13 January 2014, the station would go into administration.[10] The station was bought by the mobile operator Lyca, and was able to retain its license, with a move to 963/972 AM.[11] Tony Lit was appointed managing director, with Gurdev Jassi as chairman.[12]

In November 2014, the Sunrise Radio Training Academy was launched - a free training scheme for those wanting to pursue a career in radio.[13] 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.[14]

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.[15]

Events

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,[16] 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.[17] 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.[18] The Asian Lifestyle Show 2004-2007 was consistently sold out.

Sunrise Radio has collaborated with University College London (UCL) and Imperial College[19] to support their West End production, Rangeela.

Recognition

External links

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Notes and References

  1. News: Sunrise Radio Named No.1 Commercial Asian Radio Station in London. Asiana. 12 August 2014.
  2. Web site: RAJAR . 2023-06-10 . www.rajar.co.uk.
  3. Web site: Sina Radio - London pirate radio history - AM/FM. Stephen Hebditch. 17 August 2014. Amfm.org.uk.
  4. Web site: Sunrise pays tribute to UK pioneer of Asian radio. 30 November 2011. My London.
  5. Web site: From blaring bhangra to the new grime: 30 years of brilliant British Asian broadcasting. Ammar Kalia. 23 January 2019. The Guardian.
  6. News: Sunrise Radio Celebrates 25th Birthday. Asiana. 20 November 2014.
  7. The Radio Authority Pocket Book June 1992
  8. Web site: Sunrise Radio. 6 November 2019. media.info. en. 2019-11-06.
  9. Web site: RadioCentre’s Roll of Honour revealed. 3 July 2013. Radio Today.
  10. Web site: Sunrise Radio in Administration. BizAsia. 21 January 2014.
  11. Web site: Sunrise Radio retains London AM licence - Radio Today. 23 April 2015. Radio Today.
  12. News: Pidgeon. David. Sunrise Radio appoints new managing director. Media Tel. 8 September 2014.
  13. News: Baddhan. Lakh. Sunrise Radio announces Radio Presenters Academy. Biz Asia. 3 October 2014.
  14. Web site: 2019-02-04. Tony Lit on Sunrise Radio completing 30 years as the UK's No.1 commercial station. 2021-03-09. BizAsia. en-GB.
  15. Web site: Martin . Roy . Sunrise Smooth launches playing easy-listening Asian music . Radio Today . 9 May 2023 . 10 May 2023.
  16. News: Mayor launches plans for the London Mela 2005. Greater Authority London. 16 May 2005. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141213011049/http://www.london.gov.uk/media/mayor-press-releases/2005/05/mayor-launches-plans-for-the-london-mela-2005. 13 December 2014.
  17. Web site: Asian Lifestyle Show HIGHLIGHTS.
  18. Web site: Asian Lifestyle Show 2005 - This summer’s biggest lifestyle exhibition. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150102144333/http://www.nachnach.com/modern_eye/view_article.php?fns=article&aid=75. 2 January 2015. 29 May 2005.
  19. News: Sunrise Radio to sponsor Just Bollywood event. Radio Today. 29 October 2014.
  20. News: Farooq. Usman. The Pakistan Achievement Awards, UK & Europe. ebuzz today. 16 October 2014.
  21. News: Asian Media Awards 2014 – Our nomination and full shortlists. Asian Culture Vulture. 30 September 2014.
  22. News: DJ Fox picks up NTL radio award. Broadcast Now. 28 June 2004.
  23. News: Media Week Awards shortlist announced. Brand Republic. 16 September 2004.
  24. Web site: Sunrise Radio Is 2016 Radio Station of the Year. Asian Media Awards. 7 October 2017. 7 November 2016.
  25. Web site: RAJAR. rajar.co.uk. 2019-11-06.
  26. Web site: Sunrise Radio Celebrate 30 Years with Win at AMA’s. 2019-10-28. Asian Media Awards. en-GB. 2019-11-06.
  27. Web site: 2021-02-23. Sunrise Radio picks up BAM's Station of the Year award. 2021-03-09. BizAsia. en-GB.
  28. Web site: 2021-11-01 . Radio Station of the Year award for Sunrise Radio . 2022-03-16 . RadioToday . en-GB.
  29. Web site: Sunrise Radio wins Radio Station of the Year at the 2023 Asian Media Awards for the fifth time . 2023-11-14 . en-US.
  30. Web site: EPG . 2024-03-08 . Sadiq Khan, Oliver Dowden, Angela Rayner top the poll at Awards . 2024-03-18 . EPG Economic and Strategy Consulting . en-US.
  31. Web site: Sunrise Radio awarded Media of the Year at prestigious award ceremony . 2024-03-20 . en-US.
  32. Web site: 2024-03-11 . Sunrise Radio picks up 'Media of the Year' award . 2024-03-20 . www.bizasialive.com . en-GB.

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