First Radio Broadcast in Türkiye

The first radio broadcasting experiments in Türkiye began in Istanbul in 1921; the first public radio trial broadcast was conducted in 1923, and regular broadcasts commenced on 6 May 1927 under the name "Istanbul Radio." This broadcast is recognized as the beginning of radio broadcasting in Türkiye.

First Broadcast and Technical Conditions

The first radio broadcast on 6 May 1927 was transmitted from the basement of the Sirkeci Grand Post Office building in Istanbul. Due to the limited availability of radio receivers at the time, the broadcast was made audible to the public through a loudspeaker placed at the post office entrance. Broadcasts began with the announcement "Muhterem samiin" (dear listeners) and consisted of two segments: spoken word and music. Spoken word segments typically featured stock and bond news obtained from the Anatolia Agency, while music segments featured Turkish art music. Initially lasting five hours per day, broadcasts gradually expanded in both content variety and reach.

Türkiyede Radyoculuk (Anadolu Agency)

Institutionalization Process

Following the initial broadcasts, Türk Telsiz Telefon A.Ş. was established on 8 September 1927, and Istanbul Radio began operating under this company. In November of the same year, Ankara Radio commenced broadcasting. However, due to financial difficulties, the company’s contract was not renewed in 1936, and both Istanbul and Ankara Radio were transferred to the PTT. This institution increased transmitter power to expand broadcasts and improve technical infrastructure. Ankara Radio was officially inaugurated in 1938, while Istanbul Radio resumed broadcasting in 1949 from its new building in Harbiye.

Development of Broadcasting and the TRT Era

The radio network in Türkiye expanded with the launch of İzmir Radio in 1950. Provincial radio stations were established in various cities from the 1960s onward. The Türkiye Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), established on 1 May 1964, assumed control of all radio broadcasts and transitioned the system to public broadcasting. TRT’s autonomous and impartial structure was further guaranteed by the constitutions of 1972 and 1982. With the rise of private television stations in the 1980s, a constitutional amendment in 1993 opened the way for private radio broadcasting. As a result, the state monopoly ended, and private enterprises began operations in the radio sector.

Radio Today and World Radio Day

UNESCO declared 13 February as "World Radio Day" in 2011. Türkiye, with approximately 1,000 radio stations, has become one of the countries with the most extensive radio broadcasting networks in Europe.