The program premiered on November 19, 1928 and was broadcast first by the private Philips Radio station PCJJ (later PCJ), and from 1947 by Radio Netherlands. Separate English and Spanish versions were broadcast around the world on shortwave. Popular music from Europe and various other countries was mixed with vintage recordings and multilingual light patter, switching back and forth in up to seven languages each Sunday. According to presenter Eddy Startz: "I was playing sambas and rhumbas before anyone here had ever heard of them." Startz would begin every episode with the Dutch national anthem followed by a John Philip Sousa march. At some point during each programme, he would tap a teacup with a spoon and play his signature tune, “A Nice Cup of Tea” by Henry Hall to introduce the show's mail call segments.