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BBC on FM for
the Arabic-speaking World
The BBC broadcasts
its radio programmes to the Arab world in Arabic and English on short
wave. In the Eastern Mediterranean, Egypt and the Gulf region we are available
also on medium wave. But we are increasingly aware that our audience is
demanding higher quality reception, and we are keen to meet this demand
by making our programming available on FM wherever possible.
In December 1996,
we started our first FM operation in the Arab world with a service in
Doha on 107.4 FM. This serves Doha and most of the Qatari peninsula and
carries the BBC Arabic Service between 06.30 and 00.15 Qatari local time.
Overnight, the FM service carries the BBC World Service in English. Depending
on humidity in the Gulf, the FM Service can also be heard in Bahrain and
on the Iranian coast; reception there is better after dark.
In March 1998,
we launched the Arabic Service on FM103.1 in Amman. The Service covers
greater Amman and is also audible in Jerusalem and parts of the West Bank.
The BBC World Service in English is available 24 hours on 93.5 FM in Salalah,
Oman. Broadcasting the BBC on FM is possible only where the Service is
wanted by the broadcasting authorities of the country concerned or by
a local broadcaster.
The BBC is interested
in pursuing opportunities to acquire further FM facilities in the Arab
world. It is also interested under certain circumstances in providing
its programming to other broadcasters (in the Arab world and beyond) who
would rebroadcast it on their channels.
For further information,
please contact:
Hassan Abu Al-Ala
Manager International Broadcasting Relations, BBC Arabic Service
Tel: (00) 44 171 557 2451
or E-Mail: Hassan.Abuala@bbc.co.uk
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