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Belgian radio stations took part in the 2021 inauguration day festivities.
For Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20, DPG Media’s radio station Joe organized a 12-hour program. Under the theme “Bi(j) den Joe” (“Together with Joe”), the station aired the top hits from the United States through a Top 120 countdown.
“This wasn’t a political radio show,” explained Joe presenter Sven Ornelis. “But when, by coincidence, the new United States president shares the same name as your station, it calls for a musical celebration. During Bi(j) den Joe, we airplayed the best of American songs!”
The U.S. Top 120 show began at 6 a.m. with a four-hour set by Ornelis and his sidekick Anke Buckinx. Alexandra Potvin followed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The afternoon then continued with presenter duo Tess Goossens and Carl Schmitz.
Finally, the tandem Raf Van Brussel and Rani De Coninck closed the day from 4 to 6 p.m — when Biden was sworn in as the new U.S. president in Washington — by playing the number one song on Joe’s all-time U.S. Top 120 countdown.
Special Programing
Throughout the day, Joe presenters shared news about the previous presidents in between the music hits as well as updates on Biden’s swearing in. For the special program, Joe’s on-air studio sported a special American “makeover.”
Joe was not the only station celebrating in Belgium. Radio Contact, which airs in the south of Belgium and Brussels on 40 FM frequencies, DAB+ and streaming, spiced up its lineup for the week with an American sauce and a 100% American-music playlist.
From 6 to 10 a.m., Gary, Olivier, Maria and Valentino, the station’s “Good Morning America” presenters, set up rodeo duels, and offered hot dogs and donuts to passersby. The station also handed out a US$ 1,000 prize during an audience competition.
In the afternoon, DJ David Antoine hosted a “Special Burger” show. During inauguration week, Radio Contact DJs prepared their favorite burgers and listeners won hamburger kits so they can make the burgers at home. At the end of the week, the lucky winner received a year of free hamburgers.
