Radio Drenasi 92.1

Radio Drenasi 92.1

City	Glogovac, Kosovo
Branding	Radio Drenasi
Slogan	për disponimin tuaj (for your pleasure)
Frequency	92.1 MHz (FM)
First air date	July 8, 2000
Format	Various Albanian
ERP	1,000 watts
Class	R
Transmitter coordinates	42°31′36.4″N 20°51′15.0″E / 42.526778°N 20.854167°E / 42.526778; 20.854167Coordinates: 42°31′36.4″N 20°51′15.0″E / 42.526778°N 20.854167°E / 42.526778; 20.854167
Owner	ALBATEC
Website	https://www.radiodrenasi.com/

Radio Drenasi 92.1 is a private commercial radio station in Kosovo founded on 8 July 2000 that started broadcasting 18 hours a day. In 2007 was licensed as a long term licensee by the Independent Media Commission (IMC). In 2013, after a financial difficulty and in the brink of bankruptcy, the radio station was taken over by a Canadian-based company ALBATEC that started operating in Kosovo. In 2014, the radio station was re-licensed by the IMC in the ownership of that company.^[1] As of January, 2015 this radio station now broadcasts with a regional license^[2] covering almost half of the country from the mountain top of Berisha.

Format

Since 2003, Radio Drenasi broadcasts 24 hour program. Radio Drenasi is licensed to broadcast on 92.1 MHz FM with a regional coverage, and also on the internet at its website.^[3]

After the war in Kosovo, in 1999 there was a vacuum of information and the station started operating in the Drenica region for the first time in history. Initially the radio station started providing information and news helping people connect, and at the same time broadcasting local music, programs and talk shows about the humanitarian relief, and dangers of landmines in the region with the coordination of KFOR, and UNMIK. Also, it was an important tool to heal wounds of a war torn region that suffered heavy civilian casualties during the last conflict in Kosovo.^[4]

Radio Drenasi with its media content, has been said that to be an independent information outlet, and is not affiliated to a political group. According to their statement found on their Facebook page, they will not be subject to a political clan.^[5]

Today the radio station format aims more towards younger generation (ages 16–35) providing more of a mix of Albanian music with pop, rap, Albanian folk, and American music.

Ownership

From 2000 to 2013, Radio Drenasi was under the private ownership of Ismet Sopi. In 2013, after a financial bankruptcy of the previous owner, the operation of the radio station was taken over by the Canadian-based firm ALBATEC.

Competition

After the station started broadcasting for the first time in the region, within a short time many other local and national radio stations started to operate and become their competition. The first direct competition was "Radio Dodona" that was financed with donated equipment from international organizations, and today it is said that this local station has closed down. The third competition is the local radio station "Radio Drenica" of which to this day still operates, but struggles to maintain normal operations. "Radio Kosova e Lirë" is also another competition broadcasting in a local coverage.

References