NRJ

Launched in June 1981 by Jean-Paul Baudecroux and Max Guazzini, NRJ arrived on the French airwaves as a fresh voice for youth culture. The acronym stands for Nouvelle Radio Jeune, which translates to New Young Radio, though its name carries the double meaning of energy. A pivotal moment came in 1984 when singer Dalida stepped in as the station's godmother. Her public support helped steer the broadcaster through financial trouble and ensured it survived those early years.

Today, the brand operates under the NRJ Group umbrella and serves as the flagship for NRJ International. The main Parisian station focuses heavily on current chart hits throughout the day, shifting toward electronic dance music during late-night weekend slots. Talk shows fill the evening schedule from Monday through Friday. Beyond the primary frequency, the group runs numerous web radios covering rap, R&B, hip-hop, rock, and urban genres. This strategy has built a massive audience across more than 15 countries, reaching over 30 million listeners every week. [edit]