Sunrise Radio & Punjabi Radio cease in Midlands

Sunrise Radio and Punjabi Radio have ceased broadcasting completely in the West Midlands on DAB digital radio.

Previously, the popular flagship station Sunrise Radio stopped broadcasting in Birmingham after it decided against renewing its licence. The same applies to Coventry and Wolverhampton areas for both stations, licences of which expired at the end of last month.

A reason behind the move has not been given, however, it could be to save money and also to concentrate purely in the London market. Sunrise Radio and Punjabi Radio continue to broadcast on digital in London. Sunrise Radio also continues on digital radio on Edinburgh and Glasgow and nationally on digital TV.

With this change, listening figures from RAJAR for the next quarter will be affected. Sunrise Radio’s national figures have already come tumbling down – according to latest data, the station has lost over 100,000 listeners – it stands at just 361,000.