Europa Plus
| Company type | Commercial radio broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Founded | April 30, 1990 |
| Headquarters | Moscow , Russia |
Area served | Russia, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan |
| Products | Radio broadcasting (hot adult contemporary and Top 40 music) |
| Owner | European Media Group |
| Website | www |
Europa Plus () represents a commercial radio broadcaster based in Russia, owned by the European Media Group. It commenced operations on 30 April 1990 within the Soviet Union. The station predominantly plays hot adult contemporary and Top 40 tracks.
The network transmits throughout Russia, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan via a combination of over 230 transmitters and satellites including Intersputnik Express 6 and Intelsat 904. Numerous areas receive localized programming in addition to the central content produced at the Moscow headquarters.
History
The idea for Europa Plus was conceived by Georges Polinski, president of French Kiss FM, in 1988. Collaborating with Radio Yunost resulted in the launch of Europa Plus Moscow on April 30, 1990, with ownership split as 51% by Europe Plus France and 49% by Sovteleexport. The initial transmissions utilized ultra-shortwave (69.8 MHz) and mediumwave (1116 kHz) frequencies.
Europa Plus set the standard for commercial radio broadcasting in both the USSR and Russia. In November 1990, it played a key role in founding the Russian Association of Independent Broadcasting. By early 1991, its reach extended to Saint Petersburg (72.68 FM), Samara (71.27 FM), Nizhny Novgorod (73.01 FM), Tolyatti (68.09 FM), and Volgograd (69.59 FM).
Throughout the August 1991 coup attempt, Europa Plus continued uninterrupted broadcasting thanks to its focus on non-political music content. In 1992, it acquired the license for Moscow’s 106.2 FM frequency.
After the storming of Ostankino TV Center in 1993, Europa Plus established a news division and earned its first national Ovatsiya Award as the best radio station. That same year saw expansion into Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (66.86 VHF/102.5 FM), followed by growth into Tula (69.02 VHF/104.9 FM) in 1995.
On November 21, 1998, Europa Plus introduced the EuroHit Top 40 chart program, continuously hosted by Alexei Manuylov since its inception; in 2015, the show was rescheduled to Fridays from 14:00 to 16:00 Moscow time.
Europe Plus France (part of Lagardère group) became the sole proprietor of ZAO Europa Plus in February 2004. The flagship dance chart show Top Club Chart debuted on February 28, 2015, with Timur Bodrov as host.
Broadcasting from Visual-STUDIO Europa Plus—the most technologically advanced studio in Europe—began on March 13, 2015.
The Europa Plus brand was officially recognized as well-known throughout Russia on February 1, 2015, subsequently being entered into the List of Well-Known Trademarks on December 7, 2015.
On July 29, 2019, Europa Plus became the third Russian station to adopt DRM+ digital broadcasting format in Saint Petersburg at 95.7 MHz.
It achieved a Guinness World Record on February 7, 2020, for "the most northern internet broadcast in public radio history."
Starting June 2020, Europa Plus launched the Summer Vibes segment featuring seasonal hits aired from 20:00 to 22:00 Moscow time; this programming block was extended through autumn from July to September in 2023.