On the morning of November 1, 1928, Romanians witnessed a moment that was going to change forever the way information, culture, and entertainment reached their homes. Then, the famous phrase “Hello, Hello, this is Radio Bucharest!” was heard for the first time on air, marking the official debut of public radio broadcasting in Romania.

The birth of Romanian radio and the historic moment of 1928

The institution that made this event possible bore the name of the Societatea de Difuziune Radiotelefonică, as it was recorded in its founding act. The appearance of public radio was not only a technical achievement, but also a major cultural and social one. From the very beginning, the radio assumed the role of promoter of national values, contributing to the formation of civic awareness and to the strengthening of community cohesion.

However, this founding moment did not appear out of nowhere. It was preceded by initiatives and experiments that prepared the ground for the development of Romanian radio. Among the important precursors were the first radiotelegraphy station in Constanța, created by the Romanian Maritime Service, as well as the activity of the Association of Friends of Radio, founded by Dragomir Hurmuzescu, a pioneer of radio in Romania.

Institutional organization and the first achievements

Officially established on December 22, 1926, the Society of Radiotelephone Broadcasting initially functioned under the control of the Ministry of Communications. The technical equipment was provided by the Marconi company from London, a world leader in radio communications at that time.

In a short time, Romanian radio began to diversify its offer. In 1932, the large concert studio on General Berthelot Street no. 60 in Bucharest was inaugurated, becoming a central space for artistic productions. Also during this period, the conductor Mihai Jora founded the Radio Orchestra, which quickly entered the circuit of public seasons.

Radio was not limited to music. On February 18, 1929, the first radio theater play was broadcast, “What the Village Knew” by V. Al. Jean, performed by actors of the National Theatre. This moment opened the path for a tradition that would become extremely popular among listeners.

The year 1929 was a landmark, bringing a series of premieres: the first children’s show (“Children’s Hour”), the first live broadcast from the Romanian Opera with “Aida” by Giuseppe Verdi, but also the first transmission from the Romanian Athenaeum.

Expansion of the network and technological development

The 1930s brought a rapid development of radio infrastructure. In 1934, the national station “Radio Romania” was put into operation in Bod, near Brașov. Initially equipped with a 20 kW transmitter, it was later upgraded with a 150 kW one, strengthening its broadcasting capacity.

During the same period, the institution went through several administrative and name changes, reflecting the political context of the time. In 1936, it became the Societatea Română de Radiodifuziune, a name that has remained emblematic to this day.

Radio quickly became a launching platform for artists. On February 20, 1937, the famous singer Maria Tănase debuted at the radio microphone, marking the beginning of a legendary career.

Also in those years, shortwave broadcasts of the “Dacia Romană” station began, and expansion plans included the creation of regional stations. Thus, in 1939, the “Radio Basarabia” station was inaugurated in Chișinău, with the strategic role of countering Soviet propaganda.

Radio during wartime: resistance and adaptation

The Second World War represented an extremely difficult period for Romanian broadcasting. Faced with the danger of infrastructure destruction, alternative transmission networks were created, including experimental shortwave stations in various regions of the country.

Stations such as “Dobrogea,” “Carpați,” or “Moldovița” ensured the continuity of broadcasts under difficult conditions. In fact, “Radio Moldova,” established in Iași in 1941, became an important propaganda tool during the war.

The dramatic events of August 1944 severely affected radio infrastructure. The central headquarters on General Berthelot Street was destroyed in bombings, and broadcasting was temporarily moved to improvised studios in the Bod – Brașov area.

Despite these difficulties, radio did not stop broadcasting. On August 23, 1944, the king’s message to the country was transmitted, a crucial moment in Romania’s history. The continuity of broadcasts, even under extreme conditions, demonstrates the strategic importance of radio.

Postwar reconstruction and development

After the war, Romanian broadcasting entered a new stage of development. Activity moved temporarily into improvised spaces until the construction of the new headquarters, partially inaugurated in 1952 and completed in 1960.

This period was favorable for the development of musical components. The Radio Children’s Choir, the Light Orchestra, and the Folk Orchestra were established, strengthening the role of radio as a promoter of culture.

In 1956, Televiziunea Română appeared, and the radio merged with it, forming the Romanian Radio and Television. At the same time, the network of regional stations expanded, including cities such as Cluj, Craiova, Timișoara, and Iași.

Radio during the communist period and the changes of 1989

After nationalization in 1948, radio came under direct state control, and in the 1980s it strongly felt political pressure. Broadcasting hours were reduced, and regional studios were dismantled.

The turning point came on December 22, 1989, when the radio transmitted the first message of the revolutionaries in Bucharest. In those tense days, radio once again became a symbol of freedom and accurate information.

After the Revolution, regional studios resumed their activity, and the institution entered a broad process of reform and modernization.

Radio Romania in the modern era

In 1994, Romanian Radio and Television split into two independent entities: Societatea Română de Radiodifuziune and the Romanian Television Society. This reorganization marked the beginning of a new stage characterized by editorial autonomy.

New stations were launched, such as Radio Romania Actualități, Radio Romania Cultural, and Radio Romania Muzical, each with a distinct profile. At the same time, online platforms and innovative projects were developed, including Radio3Net, the first public station broadcasting exclusively online.

Technological modernization continued through the digitization of equipment and of the Golden Archive. At the same time, the radio became an active member of the European Broadcasting Union, strengthening its international position.

A tradition of almost a century

More than 80 years after the first broadcast, Radio Romania remains a fundamental institution for Romanian society. From the first words spoken in 1928 to today’s digital broadcasts, radio has constantly evolved, adapting to new technologies and the needs of the public.

Its story is one of resilience, innovation, and dedication to culture and information. “Hello, Hello, this is Radio Bucharest!” is not just a historical phrase, but the symbol of the beginning of an era in which the voice of a nation began to be heard, in real time, by millions of people.

We also recommend: Stories of Bucharest: Ion Heliade Rădulescu printed the first Romanian newspaper, „Curierul românesc”, in the Capital, in 1829