Our story
Magenta Radio began broadcasting in 2023, but our story goes back further…
2019
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14th April – ‘The Hit Parade’ begins broadcasting, the first song is Marc Cohn’s rendition of ‘Walking in Memphis’
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15th May – Spin-off stations ‘The 80s Parade’ and ‘The Xmas Parade’ are launched
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14th July – ‘The Hit Parade’ is closed
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22nd October – Specimen Pop begins broadcasting, the first song is ‘First Time’ by M-22
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23rd October – Specimen Chill begins broadcasting, the first song is ‘Half the Man’ by Jamiroquai
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28th October – SRN is formed
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November – Last remaining ‘Hit Parade’ spin-off stations are closed
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1st December – Specimen Christmas is launched
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30th December – All stations are migrated to Shoutcast, contracts renewed
2020
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1st January – Radionomy is closed down
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12th January – First edition of ‘The Lord’s Challenge’ airs on Specimen Chill
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20th January – Specimen One launches
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26th January – First edition of ‘Sunday Talk Time’ airs live on Specimen Chill
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15th March – Final live ‘Sunday Talk Time’ before lockdown
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22nd March – ‘The Lord’s Challenge’ moves to 6pm start time
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April – Specimen One begins airing coronavirus press conferences
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October – Specimen Pop rebrands
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1st December – First Christmas Light Count, then known as ‘Christmas Light Run’
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30th December – Contracts renewed for further 12 months
2021
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January – Specimen One airs sports events for the first time with BBL basketball matches
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13th February – SRN celebrates World Radio Day
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15th March – Specimen Classica launches
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20th May – Specimen One Eurovision temporary station begins
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23rd May – Weekly live ‘Sunday Talk Time’ resumes, ‘The Lord’s Challenge’ returns to its original 2pm start time
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July – SRN provides coverage of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan
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8th August – ‘Sunday Talk Time’ is broadcast live from Anglesey in North Wales
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1st December – Specimen Christmas returns for second year
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30th December – Contracts renewed for further 12 months
2022
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February – SRN provides coverage of the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China
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11th March – Shoutcast announces the sudden elimination of some of its plans
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6th April – SRN migrates to Live365
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1st May – Final editions of ‘Sunday Talk Time’ and ‘The Lord’s Challenge air on Specimen Chill
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5th May – Specimen One, Chill, Pop and Classica are closed down at 5am BST
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7th September – SRN reveals plans to revive its stations
2023
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3rd February – ‘Slow Radio’ temporary station begins broadcasting
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February – Preparations begin for Magenta Radio
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17th April – SRN announces new radio project
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1st June – New radio station announced as Magenta Radio
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7th June – Magenta Radio commissions LFM Audio to create new jingles and sonic identity
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10th July – Magenta Radio begins broadcasting at 7:15pm BST, the first song is ‘This Is What You Are’ by Mario Biondi
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16th July – First edition of ‘The Lord’s Challenge’ airs on Magenta Radio
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1st September – Website is launched
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6th September – First live ‘Sunday Talk Time’ airs on Magenta Radio
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27th October – Magenta Radio introduces its first featured artists, Finnish duo Kai Kuu
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November – Magenta’s most successful month since launch as listening figures increase drastically
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12th November – Christmas Light Count campaign begins on Magenta Radio
2024
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13th April – Magenta Radio’s first sports broadcast, live basketball between Surrey Scorchers and Newcastle Eagles