What happened on 04/28/2025?
On the morning of April 28, a sudden 15 GW drop—about 60 % of Spain’s demand—knocked out most of the power grids across Spain and Portugal, halting trains, airports, and hospitals without backup generators. Full restoration began late that afternoon under a state of emergency declared in Madrid.
Immediate impacts
30,000 police officers were deployed to maintain public order.
Flights dropped by 20 %, and rail services were suspended for safety.
Record listenership: People turned to the dial
As digital platforms crashed, radio took center stage:
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Spanish listeners tuning in during the blackout | 71 % |
| Estimated direct audience | 18 million |
| Estimated indirect audience (shared radios) | 4 million |
| Battery-powered radios sold in 24 h | > 1 million |
| Usual monthly reach of Spanish radio stations | 32 million |
“Radio was the most reliable medium for 96 % of respondents,” concludes the AERC/IMOP Insights study.
Why radio endures where others fail
Energy self-sufficiency – stations with generators stayed on air.
Simple reception – battery and car radios work without internet or mobile networks.
Nationwide simultaneous coverage – a single frequency can reach millions without overloading infrastructure.
Established credibility – after the blackout, radio was rated the “most trustworthy” channel for official alerts.
Lessons for broadcasters in Brazil & Latin America
Contingency planning – equip your transmission sites and studios with power generators and perform monthly UPS tests.
Multiplatform protocols – integrate studios via systems like Aires Studio and maintain redundant links.
Awareness campaigns – educate your audience on the importance of having portable radios and spare batteries.
Partnerships with Civil Defense – align public-service messaging scripts for immediate broadcast.
A public-service opportunity, not a marketing pitch
The European blackout sends a clear message: when everything goes dark, radio lights the way. For over 35,000 stations across Brazil and Latin America, investing in technical resilience means saving lives and reinforcing radio’s social value—beyond any commercial strategy.
