The world’s happiest radio station?
There’s a celebratory mood in the SunKiss studios this morning, as news filters through that the radio station has reached out to 100 different countries in the last month. "I’m overwhelmed" exclaims station manager, Peter Mackley.
"I’m so grateful that so many listeners are embracing the concept of the SunKiss way of life so quickly."
Clearly, SunKiss has struck a chord with many different nationalities. They are certainly living up to their cheeky boast of being the world’s happiest radio station. Turn on SunKiss for an hour and you can be sure your day will a little bit brighter, and if you take their invitation to embrace the SunKiss Life, who knows – maybe your life will be just that little bit happier?
Photo by SunKiss
What is the SunKiss Life?
So, what is this SunKiss Life? "It’s about appreciating life to the full – happily, healthily and in harmony with the wider world" adds Caroline, editor in chief and curator of the popular SunKiss Life features.
"It’s a means to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves as ‘well beings’ and inspiring others to make a positive contribution to the world around us".
SunKiss Life broadcasts every hour during the day, covering a broad range of subjects from how to break free from the mindset that’s holding you back to what wellbeing lessons we can learn from our children. There’s also tips on finding the right type of herbal tea and bizarrely, why men should ejaculate more. Seriously! That’s one benefit from listening to SunKiss that I wasn’t expecting!
Spreading Positive Energy
In fact, everything about SunKiss is focussed on making you feel good, while conveniently ignoring the doom and gloom spread by conventional radio stations and the 24-hour news channels. Good News from SunKiss takes a positive perspective on the news with a selection of inspiring stories often celebrating small but significant successes in the battle against climate change.
"Our listeners have many sources for the latest, breaking international news, including our own website, but on-air we feature uplifting stories to spread some much-needed positive energy", proclaims Peter. Some of the stories may seem a little irreverent like goldfish learning how to drive, but many serious subjects are covered including ground-breaking scientific discoveries and the success stories from the recent climate summit in Glasgow.
Photo by SunKiss
An Adventurous Playlist
Judging by their single-minded focus to make the world a happier place, you’d be forgiven for expecting to hear non-stop upbeat party anthems all-day every day. “Definitely not”, insists Peter, “at SunKiss, we’re trying to do things a little differently.” Of course, they are, you wouldn’t expect anything less!
“Sure, we have our selection of timeless melodies, but you’ll also hear some forgotten pearls and quirky treats that you won’t hear anywhere else”.
That’s certainly true – where else would you hear a salsa version of the James Bond theme, Gregory Porter duetting with legends who have long-since passed away or orchestral interpretations of Motown classics – all segueing seamlessly alongside the world’s most legendary singers and fresh up-and-coming talent like Yebba, Mimi Webb and Rachel Chinouriri? It’s refreshing to hear a brand-new radio station brave enough to be inspired and adventurous with their music selection rather than the usual tired non-stop rotation of the greatest hits of all time.
Reinventing Radio
You’d expect nothing less from SunKiss, a radio station that boldly talks about a new way of listening and re-imagining radio. Isn’t it a bit far-fetched to think that SunKiss can pioneer change in the radio industry? “We’re just at the very beginning of a digital revolution in the radio industry which is bound to bring a change in what listeners expect from their chosen radio station”.
The recent RAJAR figures in the UK revealed that 65% of radio listeners tune in on a digital device, and 18% listen online, “and that percentage will grow and grow”, insists Peter “especially with the advent of 5G and exponential development in digital technology. This means that traditional FM frequencies will become redundant, and we are no longer restricted by geographical boundaries. Instead, we can focus on strengthening a worldwide community that shares our values and beliefs.”
Making a Difference
That’ll be the SunKiss community then. Everything about the SunKiss project is starting to make sense. Their music selection, their features even their news is all focussed on the listener experience: how they can find inner freedom to feel better about themselves and the world around them so in turn they can inspire others. “It’s like the famous starfish story” adds Caroline, which is neatly referred to in one of their animated introductory videos.
“No-one can do everything, but everyone can do something, and it will make a difference to someone, somewhere”.
Maybe, in their own small way, SunKiss really can make a difference to the wider world?
Video by SunKiss