Radiolina launched in an apartment on Viale Marconi in Quartu Sant'Elena on 19 June 1975, utilizing a military transmitter recovered from a Livorno scrap yard. This operation, founded by Nicola Grauso, served as the primary private radio broadcaster in Sardinia and established a foundational precedent for Italian local over-the-air media.
Founding Radiolina
Born in Cagliari in 1949 and educated at the University of Cagliari, Grauso navigated early legal challenges following the creation of his radio station. While authorities initially considered the broadcast pirate under Law 103 of 1975, a ruling in September 1975 held that local broadcasters were exempt from state monopolies. This verdict influenced future media regulation, culminating in the 1976 Constitutional Court decision 202, which protected local frequency access.
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Grauso expanded into television on 6 September 1975 with the debut of Videolina, broadcast on channel UHF 38. By 1979, he integrated additional stations like La Voce Sarda and Bibisì into his network. His infrastructure included electronic bridges located on peaks across Sardinia, which supported signals reaching 80% of the island population. In 1982, the network hosted Maurizio Costanzo for the program Dopo cena, a project that preceded the host's later national work.
Modernization of L'Unione Sarda
On 17 May 1985, Grauso purchased the newspaper L'Unione Sarda. He invested 20 billion lire to replace traditional lead and linotype methods with computerized systems, beginning in 1986. By 1987, he opened a printing center near the Cagliari-Elmas Airport to handle both the local paper and national titles. In July 1994, he oversaw the launch of the newspaper's online edition, marking it as the first such digital publication in Europe.
Fast facts
- Born: 1949, Cagliari
- Died: 2025, Cagliari
- Education: Law degree, University of Cagliari, 1975
- Radiolina launch: 19 June 1975
- Videolina launch: 6 September 1975
- L'Unione Sarda acquisition: 17 May 1985
- Online newspaper launch: July 1994
- Citizenship: Italy
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the 1975 court ruling regarding Radiolina?
A judge ruled that state-held radio monopolies did not apply to local over-the-air broadcasters, establishing a legal framework for the growth of private radio in Italy.
How did Grauso modernize L'Unione Sarda?
He eliminated the use of lead and linotype in 1986, implemented electronic editorial systems, and built a high-capacity printing facility at the Cagliari-Elmas Airport.
Achievements
- Educated at University of Cagliari
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