Antena 3 Radio


Antena 3 Radio was a nationwide Spanish radio station opened on February 1, 1982, and closed on June 19, 1994. It served as the basis for the creation of Antena 3 Televisión.

Foundation

Antena 3 was created on February 1, 1982, by La Vanguardia and ABC, Manuel Martín Ferrand, Europa Press and Grupo Zeta. The CEO was Manuel Martín Ferrand, and its president was Rafael Jiménez de Parga, later succeeded by Javier Godó. The general director was Javier Jimeno, the Head of Programs was José Luis Orosa, and José Cavero was head of news.

Goals

The main goal of Antena 3 was to create a private television channel. That request was rejected in 1982, but then approved in 1989, when Antena 3 Televisión was created, joining both companies of radio and television.

History

Beginnings and consolidation

Antena 3 started broadcast nationwide on May 4, 1982. In 1984, they acquired Promotora de Televisión y Radio S.A. and its music station Radio 80, which became Radio 8 Serie Oro. On 1991, through Onda Musical S.A. they released another music station, Radiolé. In 1989, they became the first Spanish media company on the stock exchange. On 1992, they went to number 1 on the EGM.

Arrival of PRISA and dismantling

On July 22, 1992, Prisa, bought 49% of Inversiones Godó and 51% of Patrielva, and therefore controlled 25% of Antena 3 Radio. At the end of 1992, fulfilling the Television Law, Antena 3 Radio sold their part of Antena 3 Television, and therefore, the radio and television companies became independent from each other.
On 1993, PRISA launched an IPO to acquire the share of stock. At the end of 1993, after some business movements, Prisa owned 80% of Antena 3 Radio through the constitution of "Unión Radio". Eight journalists from Antena 3 would denounce this operation. The newspaper El País would criticize this denounce.
Meanwhile, in January 1993, Radio 80 merged with Radio Minuto, creating M80 Radio. In May 1994, against the opinion of the Court of Competition, the cabinet council authorized the operation and creation of Unión Radio.

End of transmission

Therefore, on June 19, 1994, Antena 3 ceased its broadcast as a generalist station, and became "Sinfo Radio Antena 3", which would be dedicated to classic music. In 2000, the Supreme Court outlawed the 1994 operation, but the sentence never was executed. Finally, on March 29, 2002, Sinfo Radio Antena 3 ceased its transmissions and was substituted by Máxima FM, dedicated to dance music.

Former stations and frequencies