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]
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]
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]
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.
Farah Ahmed ( Bollywood Top 20) named the Best Media Personality by the Pakistani Achievement Awards 2014[20]
Andy Gill nominated for Best Show (Breakfast Show Monday-Friday) – Asian Media Awards 2014[21]
Sunrise Radio nominated for Radio Station of the Year – Asian Media Awards 2014
Sunrise Radio wins the NTL Commercial Radio Award for Marketing Excellence 2004[22]
Sunrise Radio one of five shortlisted for the Media Week Awards – Media Brand of the Year 2004 - alongside Century FM, XFM, Living TV & The Independent[23]
Asian Media Awards Radio Station of the Year 2016 & 2017[24]
Sunrise Radio scooped 'The AMA's Radio Station of the Year 2019' at the awards ceremony held in Manchester at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate in October 2019. This is the third time in four years the radio station has won this title and this year's win comes in the same day as the release of Rajar Q3 2019 [25] which confirmed Sunrise Radio as the UK's NO1 commercial Asian radio station, a title which the radio station has retain consecutively over its 30 years of broadcasting to the UK's Asian community[26]
Sunrise Radio wins the coveted Asian Radio Station of the Year 2020 at the British Asian Media Awards.[27]
Sunrise Radio scooped 'The AMA's Radio Station of the Year 2021' for the fourth time at the ninth annual Asian Media Awards.[28]
Sunrise Radio wins Radio Station of the Year at the 2023 Asian Media Awards for the fifth time.[29]
In 2024, Sunrise Radio won and accepted the Media of the year Award at EPG's 16th Annual Political & Public Life Awards at the House of Commons.[30]
Sunrise Radio collected the ‘Media of the Year’ in the Political & Public Life Awards 2024 at the Terrace Pavilion, House of Commons.[31][32]
