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. In 1989, owned by Avtar Lit, it was awarded a license and officially launched on November 5, 1989, becoming the first 24-hour radio station in the UK specifically for the Asian demographic. It initially broadcast to
West London on 1413 AM. 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 January 21, 1993, by Peter Baldwin Chief Executive of the Radio Authority. In 2016, Sunrise Radio Moved to a new purpose built studio and office in Hounslow, which also serves as the company's Headquarters. The station expanded by also broadcasting on
satellite television, first on the
Astra analogue satellite, and later on
Sky Digital. 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. On 13 January 2014, the station would go into administration. The station was bought by the mobile operator
Lyca, and was able to retain its license, with a move to 963/972 AM.
Tony Lit was appointed managing director, with Gurdev Jassi as chairman. In November 2014, the Sunrise Radio Training Academy was launched - a free training scheme for those wanting to pursue a career in radio. 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. The station's founder, Manjit Singh Gedhu, died in September 2023. ==Events==