The year 1931 saw a number of significant events in radio broadcasting history. Events 8 January – In Hamburg, Germany, Nordische Rundfunk AG (NORAG) moves to new purpose-built headquarters at Rothenbaumchaussee 132. 1 February – In Belgium the Institut National de Radiodiffusion / Nationaal Instituut voor de Radio-omroep (INR/NIR) begins broadcasting. 21 March – In Switzerland the Société suisse de radiodiffusion (SSR) is founded, bringing together the five regional radio stations already in existence (in Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, and Zürich) under the supervision of the Federal Department of Posts and Railways. 23 April – Inauguration of the Swiss national medium-wave transmitter at Sottens by the French-language Société Romande de Radiophonie (SRR) and Radio-Genève. 30 April – In France the Poste Colonial (also known as "Radio Coloniale") begins broadcasting to the French colonies from a shortwave transmitter at Pontoise. 1 May – The Los Angeles Police Department's KGPL begins broadcasting. 11 May – The Pittsburgh Police begin broadcasting with "radio patrol cars" and the region's first emergency band. 24 May – Polskie Radio begins transmitting its national programme from a new long-wave station at Raszyn, outside Warsaw. With a power of 158 kW, it is the most powerful transmitter in Europe at the time. 11 June – Inauguration of the Swiss national medium-wave transmitter at Beromünster by the German-language Schweizer Radio DRS. 24–30 July – Jehovah's Witnesses make the most extensive radio chain broadcast ever to air up to 1931. The broadcast is of a portion of the group's convention held in Columbus, Ohio, USA. The broadcast is carried by more than 450 radio stations in Australia, Canada, Europe, and the United States. 18 October – NBC replaces its NBC-Pacific nine-station network with two five-station networks, known informally as the Orange and Gold networks. Orange comprises KGO, Oakland; KFI, Los Angeles; KGW, Portland, KOMO, Seattle, and KHQ, Spokane. Gold comprises KPO, San Francisco; KECA, Los Angeles; KEX, Portland; KRJ, Seattle; and KGA, Spokane. 10 October – William Randolph Hearst buys WGBS, which is later named WINS after Hearst's International News Service. 1 November – NBC acquires a half-interest in WMAQ, Chicago, Illinois, from the Chicago Daily News. (undated) November – KGKF, Little Rock, Arkansas, changes its call letters to KARK. Debuts 4 January – The Fred Waring Show debuts on NBC. 27 January – Clara, Lu, and Em, the first daytime radio serial, debuts on the NBC Blue Network as