Aug 23, 2012
This Media Network is concerned with closedowns rather than sign-ons as we delve back into the archives for a special documentary on offshore radio. Jonathan Marks, Diana Janssen, plus a host of other stars will be tracing one of the most important stages in the development of European Radio.
We now present, “30 years in 30 minutes”. That’s
the voice of the late Paul Kaye, who 30 years ago today made the
very last announcement on Radio London, or Big L. Radio London was
the most successful of the radio stations which operated from ships
and old army forts off the British coast between 1964 and 1967, and
which had a major influence on the development of broadcasting in
this part of Europe. A
company called East Anglian Productions obtained a so-called
Restricted Service Licence, which allowed them to operate the
station for one month on mediumwave 1134kHz, using very low power -
officially just one watt.
Back in the 60’s, the original station operated with much higher
power and covering a large part of the UK as well as the Benelux
countries. To explain how it came to be on the air, we need to go
back to Easter 1964.
Nobody who loved 1960s offshore radio will forget August 14 1967 when Wonderful Radio London closed down after pressure from the UK government. It was on air for just less than 3 years but left a lasting memory to millions and led to the introduction of commercial radio in the UK.