ORLA.fm was launched on 18 May 2006 by George Matlock, a journalist since 1990, after the BBC's decision to close many European language radio services in December of the previous year. The launch date was chosen to mark the birthdate of the Polish Pope John Paul II. Matlock had organised a memorial service in London for the Pope's death in 2004. "Orla" in the station name is the Polish word for eagle, Poland's national symbol. Initially broadcasting exclusively online to an audience of 60,000, ORLA.fm was a community-based radio station which also accepts advertising and covered major Polish community events. The station's first studio was in Haven Green, right next to Ealing Broadway rail station and housed in the same building as the publication Polski Goniec, with whom the station had a short-lived collaboration.