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Semestertryck - Swedish radio show

(a.k.a Sundsvalls Semestertryck) was a Swedish radio show airing 6h/day in Sundsvall on FM89,7 in 1985 - 1989.

Background

Sweden was one of the last European countries without commercial radio and hence lacking a plethora of various music channels, like in most other countries. In the 80's there were still just three state-run radio channels, P1 - a talk radio station; P2 - focused on classical music; P3 - the channel where music for all ages and tastes was mixed with local news, sports etc. Närradion, local frequencies in each major city, was the only channel where you occasionally could find programs with a stronger music profile. However, a 2h show with Top-40 music could be followed by a show from a political organisation or a religious congregation. Sundsvall is one of Sweden's larger cities. It has always had a fairly strong music profile including being the hub for choir singing as well as one of the major cities for the punk scene in the late 70s and early 80s. In this setting, two entrepreneurs took the opportunity to start a daily radio show airing 6h/day on weekdays for around two months every summer in 1985-89. Semestertryck played mainly Top-40 music, had a high tempo with strong influences from UK & US radio, and apart from the music filled the shows with dial-in competitions, daily interviews with Swedish or international stars etc. All what we today see as "normal radio", but at the time was basically non-existing in Sweden. In addition, Semestertryck featured tourist information in Swedish, English and Finish, and the official label on the station was "Tourist radio". There were not a lot of tourists in Sundsvall, but by doing this the entrepreneurs got the local city to pay all costs plus salaries, and hence made the radio show possible. In addition, the two founders managed to get a few local sponsors who contributed financially. At the time one could obviously not make advertising for the sponsors on-air, but this was solved by having the sponsors' ads and logos on a widely distributed printed top-list which was displayed across shops and other venues around the town.

History

1985 the radio show was started by Lars-Erik Palmgren and Krister Zackari. They were DJs, producers, interviewers on the field and managed all admin etc. Lars-Erik's sister, Katarina Palmgren, was hired to manage all tourist information, i.e. collecting, editing and broadcasting daily tourist tips, weather forecasts etc. The show quickly gained local popularity and was aired at all outdoor public pools and beaches, local shops etc. Already the first year the show featured interviews with artists like Barbie, Depeche Mode, Style and international and local heavy metal giants. Local and national newspapers and magazines like VeckoRevyn and Okej featured articles about the new station, up north in Sweden.

1986-87 the show continued to be a very popular part of the summer in Sundsvall with 6h/day of music, competitions, music and fun.

1988 the show included one week as "Radio O-ringen" as the international O-ringen 5-days competition was held in Sundsvall with close to 20 000 participants from all over the world.

1989 was the last year the show was aired. Krister Zackari had now left the show, and was replaced by a local talent, Mathias, who started out as a huge fan of the show in the early years, calling the show almost on a daily basis in the first few years taking part in competitions, requesting songs etc.

Semestertryck was clearly one of the pioneers of "commercial radio" in Sweden, before commercial radio existed.