Sky Radio

Sky Radio is a Dutch radio station playing non-stop pop music (with the only interruptions being from advertising, news, weather, and travel news). The station slogan is "Enjoy the music". The station primarily plays pop music from the 1980s through to the present day.

Sky Radio launched on September 30, 1988. At the time, commercial radio broadcasting in the Netherlands was not permitted and the station was available only via cable. In February 1992, the station was temporarily allocated the terrestrial frequency of 102.7 in the western Netherlands (Rotterdam Waalhaven).

In 1994, terrestrial frequencies were awarded to commercial radio stations and initially Sky Radio failed to be awarded a licence. Both Sky Radio and Radio 538 appealed against this decision and Sky Radio was eventually allocated a frequency of 100.7 with an additional frequency of 100.4 in the north of the Netherlands and a few low-powered fillers.

In 2003, all the broadcasting frequencies were reallocated and Sky Radio switched to its current frequencies of 101.0 to 101.9 MHz.

After the collapse of the transmitter mast Zendstation Smilde at Hoogersmilde in July 2011, the station was temporarily taken off air in the far north east of the country - until summer 2012 the station operated on a number of low-power temporary frequencies in that area (including the frequency of 89.2 which lies outside its standard allocation).

In February 2006 was Sky Radio bought by the Telegraaf Media Group NV for 190 million from News Corporation, the Veronica association is shareholder for 10% of Sky Radio (Group).

During the winter months, Sky Radio is available along the east coast of England due to the clear airwaves.

Spin-off stations

Sky Radio also broadcast a number of spin-off stations which are available only via the Internet:

• Sky Radio Love Songs
• Sky Radio NL – Dutch music only
• Sky Radio Dance Classics
• Sky Radio Summer Hits (from June 21 until October)
• Sky Radio Christmas (from October until January)

References