QEFM

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QEFM (Quality Europe FM) was a UK radio station that broadcast across Europe in the early 1990s via the Astra 1A satellite. Despite the “FM” in its name, it was one of the first European stations to rely mainly on Direct to Home satellite reception.

The station first aired in Cheltenham in 1991 and last aired in 1994. It was owned by Radio Cheltenham Ltd, later becoming Quality Europe FM Ltd.

How it started: Roy Litchfield asked Ray Pearson to cover the Cheltenham Festival of Music with a short licence. They set up a caravan studio, later built their own studios in a large house, and invited many local presenters. The operation built a following across Europe, but advertising revenue could not sustain it.

QEFM later moved to studios in Albany Park, Camberley, Surrey, sharing space with Hi-Tec Xtravision and its sister station Quality Country Music Radio (later Country Music Radio). The first Camberley broadcast was led by Terry James.

At its peak, QEFM claimed about 23.8 million weekly listeners in over 26 countries, becoming the top satellite station in Europe after Radio Luxembourg closed in 1992. The station featured MOR and pop music and hosted several notable personalities, including Dave Lee Travis for a time and Todd Slaughter, who hosted an Elvis Show. Mike Adams also appeared on air.

The station closed in 1994 after financial and management problems. A few programs endured beyond its end, most notably Eric Wiltsher’s Satellite Surgery (later called Media Zoo), which moved to Country Music Radio.