Happy Station Show
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The Happy Station Show was the world's longest-running shortwave radio programme, running from 1928 until it was cancelled in 1995.
It was broadcast first by Dutch station PCJJ, and from 1946 by Radio Netherlands. Separate English and Spanish versions were broadcast, in addition to the multi-lingual version. It could be received all over the world. Popular music from Europe and various other countries was mixed with vintage recordings and multilingual chatter, switching back and forth between English, Spanish and Dutch by hosts each Sunday. It became popular since it gave listeners a chance to travel in their armchair during a period when international travel was difficult for most people. It also pioneered call-in shows, in both the English and Spanish versions, during the latter part of the 1970s.
Edward "Eddie" Startz presented the programme from its inception until his retirement in the early 1970s. Tom Meijer took over the English and Spanish versions until his own retirement. He was followed by Pete Myers and Jonathan Groubert for the English version. The Spanish Jaime Báguena was host of the Spanish version (La Estación de la Alegría) until the end of 1990s when it was cancelled by the management of Radio Netherlands.
The show followed a format of light entertainment, special guests, music, and information about Dutch life.