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Timeline: The rise and fall of Club Asia

Club Asia launched in 2003 as a unique commodity, targeting a young Asian London. It was hailed as a differentiator to market leader Sunrise Radio with an innovative on-air sound. Recently the station has been embroiled in financial difficulties. As revealed first on BizAsia.co.uk earlier this week, the station has entered administration.

BizAsia.co.uk tracks down the rise and fall of Club Asia’s history since it took to the airwaves in the capital.

July 2003: Liberty Radio failed to have its radio licence renewed in the capital. In its place from 3rd July 2003, a new Asian station took over the frequency. Club Asia was awarded the licence with an ethos to broadcast Asian and Urban music, aiming to appeal at a 15-34 age group.

February 2004: Club Asia launched on the Sky Digital platform.

January 2005: Club Asia presenters Missy D and Jas Rao up for Commercial Radio Companies Association (CRCA) NTL Broadcast Awards. Missy D wins Best Radio Presenter award at the event.

September 2005: Club Asia and Napster sign deal to promote Asian music on the file sharing site.

October 2005: Presenter Kejal defected to Sunrise Radio. His late night show ��No Holds Barred�۪ was taken over by Bali.

October 2005: Club Asia announces Amazing Asians Awards.

October 2005: Club Asia won the HSBC Start-Up Star 2005 Award.

October 2005: Club Asia nominated for the best community radio station at Urban Music Awards.

November 2005: Club Asia raises �28k for South Asian earthquake.

November 2005: Atik Rahman, Head of on air and online imaging, presenter Jas The Man on Drive and Sumerah Ahmad, Co-founder and Creative Director of Club Asia Radio were nominated for the Thames Gateway Business Awards.

December 2005: Ash Kavia left Club Asia to join GCap Media (Global Radio) in 2006.

February 2006: Missy D leaves Club Asia�۪s coveted Breakfast show.

March 2006: Jas Rao takes over new Breakfast show, former BBC presenter Ray Khan hosts Drivetime.

December 2006: Club Asia won UK Asian Music Award for Best Radio Station.

January 2007: Missy D returned on Club Asia.

February 2007: Club Asia became official radio partners for ZEE Carnival.

June 2007: Noreen Khan moved to the BBC Asian Network.

June 2007: Club Asia repositioned itself by increasing Bollywood output.

June 2007: Club Asia records weekly reach high of 223,000 in RAJAR figures.

July 2007: Club Asia announced as podcast partner as part of 4 Digital Group’s commitment in providing an opportunity for niche services.

August 2007: Presenter Jas Rao left for the BBC Asian Network.

September 2007: Presenters Veena V, Ray Khan and Bali left the station.

October 2007: Presenter Anushka Arora left for Sunrise Radio.

November 2007: Events organiser Mandeep Nandra went on a sabbatical.

March 2008: Station Director John Ogden left to join Spectrum Radio.

June 2008: Head of Sales/Marketing Yasir Bokhari left the station.

September 2008: Club Asia and STAR TV Network joined hands for ��Diwali On The Square�۪.

September 2008: Missy D begun presenting show ���live�۝ from the USA due to personal commitments.

November 2008: Head of Sales/Marketing Yasir Bokhari left the station for a second time to join as radio consultant for NRS Media.

December 2008: Club Asia drops to a new record low, weekly reach of 172,000 in RAJAR.

January 2009: Events organiser Mandeep Nandra left the station for a second time.

February 2009: Missy D quit Club Asia for a second time.

March 2009: Mr Kay nominated for ‘Best Radio DJ’ at the UK Asian Music Awards 2009.

May 2009: Club Asia ceased broadcasting on Sky Digital.

August 2009: Club Asia begins regaining lost ground by climbing back up in RAJAR figures to weekly reach of 202,000.

August 2009: Club Asia enters administration.