Sunrise Radio

Sunrise Radio has its origin in the pirate radio stations of the 1980s and emerged out of Sina Radio, an initiative of Manjit Singh Gedhu and Avtar Lit. Sina Radio was based in Southall and from 1984 to 1988 it aired live, all-day broadcasts in Hindi and Punjabi aimed at a first-generation migrant South Asian community. Although focused on music, it also hosted a daily discussion programme with Lucky Dhillon, which would transfer to Sunrise Radio. Avtar Lit took over ownership of the organization and was awarded an AM licence.

Sunrise Radio officially launched in November 1989, initially focusing on west London. In 1992 the station moved to Sunrise House in Southall and in 2016 it moved to a purpose-built studio in Hounslow. During the 1990s Sunrise Radio rapidly expanded, acquiring a number of subsidiaries across the UK such as the West Midlands. However, at the turn of the millennium its listenership started to decline as it faced competition from other broadcasters. The company’s forays into television proved costly and it faced financial difficulties in 2014.

Having gone into administration, it was taken over by mobile telephone operator Lyca. Tony Lit took over as its new managing director. In 2016 Sunrise became a national broadcaster through DAB digital radio. Sunrise is a major sponsor and organizer of cultural events across London, including the London Mela, launched in 2003.