Broadcasting began in a scout tent. This location marks the spot of První rozhlasové vysílání Sculpture. It commemorates the very first radio broadcast in the Czech Republic.
První rozhlasové vysílání Sculpture reminds us of humble beginnings. On May 18 1923 Czech radio made its debut. It broadcast from a scout tent in Prague’s Kbely district. The station was known as Radiojournal. This makes Czech Radio the oldest national radio broadcaster in continental Europe. Only the BBC is older.
Imagine the excitement. Early listeners huddled around their crystal sets. They strained to hear crackling voices from afar. Adolf Dobrovolný became the first regular announcer on January 17 1924. He read the news from daily papers. Dobrovolný held the position until his death in 1934.
Czech Radio moved several times. It occupied locations in Hloubětín. It later used buildings in Poštovní nákupny and Orbis. It also used the Národní dům na Vinohradech building. Since 1933 Czech Radio has been based at Vinohradská 12.
The Prague uprising was spurred by a message broadcast on Czech Radio. This occurred on May 5 1945. Soviet forces seized the station in August 1968. This happened during the Soviet invasion. Broadcasting continued from other locations.
Czech Radio became independent in 1991. It remains publicly funded. On January 1 1992 Czech Radio was established. This happened as a public radio with property. The property transferred from Czechoslovak Radio. The headquarters were set up at Vinohradská 12.
Czech Radio launched an experimental digital radio broadcast in Prague in 1999. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty stopped broadcasting in the Czech Republic in 2002. The broadcast was rebranded as Czech Radio 6.
A new logo was launched in 2013. It featured the letter R with stripes. The organization marked 90 years of existence that year. The celebration included a 48-hour broadcast. This event set a new national record. It became the longest uninterrupted radio broadcast.
Czech Radio continues to evolve. It embraces new technologies. It serves the Czech public. This sculpture is a reminder. The První rozhlasové vysílání Sculpture marks the genesis of Czech broadcasting. It honors the visionaries. They brought radio to the Czech people.