History of broadcasting in Monaco and MMD

The Beginnings (1950s – 1970s)

Radio broadcasting in Monaco took off in the 1950s with Radio Monte Carlo (RMC), which built the technical infrastructure at the Fontbonne site, located in the hills above Monaco in the foothills of Mont Agel, to broadcast its programs to the French Mediterranean region. Trans World Radio (TWR) became an RMC client, broadcasting its programs on shortwave across Europe, particularly behind the "Iron Curtain".

In 1964, RMC continued its expansion by building a longwave transmitter center in the municipality of Peille, at Col de la Madone, and in 1974, the Roumoules center in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence was established, equipped with two 1000 kW transmitters, enabling RMC to become a French national radio station. La Madone then became a medium wave and FM broadcasting center.

TWR was also transferred to Roumoules for medium wave broadcasting to Eastern Europe and North Africa.

The Creation of MCR (1992)

In 1992, a major turning point occurred when RMC separated from its broadcasting branch by creating an independent entity, the Monaco joint-stock company Monte-Carlo Radiodiffusion (MCR), which became the Monegasque broadcaster using the frequency spectrum of the Principality of Monaco.

In 2012, shortwave broadcasting ceased, and France Info started broadcasting from La Madone.

In the 2000s, the company also became a center for experimentation and a technological showcase, with early trials of T-DMB (TV on mobile phones), DAB+, and FM digitization tests (FMxtra).

Digital Transition with DTT and the Arrival of DAB+ (2012 – 2016)

The arrival of DAB+ in 2014 marked a new era for MCR, which successfully entered this new broadcasting technology with 5 multiplexes bringing together about fifty clients, covering the Alpes-Maritimes coastal area.

In 2015, a DTT transmitter was also installed at La Madone, covering the coastal area between Menton and Mandelieu, as well as part of the hinterland of Nice.

In 2015, France Info broadcasting stopped, followed in 2016 by Radio China International, marking the end of AM at La Madone in 2016, definitively closing a chapter in history.

MCR Becomes MMD (2018)

In 2018, MCR became MMD (Monaco Media Diffusion), launching a new commercial dynamic and expanding its coverage. Diversification continued with the launch of new DAB multiplexes.

The FM site at La Tête de Chien in La Turbie completed the company's technical infrastructure, expanding coverage from Menton to Cap d’Ail and further strengthening MMD’s key role on the French Riviera.