1st September 1964: TV Noordzee became Europe's first pirate TV station, transmitting from the man-made “REM island” off the Dutch coast.
Radio and TV Noordzee was founded in 1963 with land-based offices and broadcasts from the sea. The artificial island was built in the harbour of Cork, Ireland. It was towed to its location and anchored in cement on the seabed. On 12 August 1964, a test broadcast was performed and on 15 August regular broadcasting started. The radio service broadcast on 1400 kHz, while on television it used Channel E11
While Dutch authorities were unhappy with the broadcasts, they did not possess the legal right to stop them. However, on the 12 of December, 1964, the government passed the REM law, which split the North Sea into continental sections. The sea bed under REM Island, to which the structure was attached, was therefore declared Dutch territory. Five days later, the Netherlands Marine Corps boarded the platform and ended broadcasting.
I remember the story made the UK headlines; the front page of the Evening News in London had various photos including the troops abseiling from helicopters.
Note - no connection with Radio Northsea International which broadcast from the Mebo 2 in the early 1970s.
(photo/logopedia)
(Mike Terry/BDXC) (with help from Wikipedia)
The artificial island is now a restaurant in Amsterdam. I walked from Amsterdam town centre to see it some years ago when I was staying there to attend the then-annual Radio Day focusing on offshore radio stations.
A Dutch documentary that features some rare shots from the days when Radio/ TV Nordzee was on the air.
Look out for some Dutch TV commercials, The Rolling Stones ' visit to the island, and the raid which eventually silenced the Radio/TV station.
The presenter is Marian, a former Nordzee member of staff. 5 minutes 48.
Daily Telegraph December 18th 1964 Page 1 report on the raid and photo
Daily Telegraph December 18th Page 16 photos of raid
(Mike Barraclough/BDXC)