Radio Mirchi UAE celebrates a year on air

ABU DHABI // Radio Mirchi is celebrating its first anniversary this month by dishing out prizes to listeners, including yacht cruises and rides in helicopters and hot-air balloons.

Fans can enter a series of contests as part of Lovebhari Farvari (love-filled February).

This week, three listeners won a besuro ki toli (tuneless bunch) contest. The unmelodious winners were flown to Mumbai to attend yesterday's Mirchi Music Awards, one of the biggest events in the Bollywood music industry.

Launched on February 1 last year and catering to a south-Asian audience, the Hindi and English station is owned by The National's parent company, Abu Dhabi Media.

During its first year, it launched the UAE listeners' choice award for the year's best Bollywood song, and organised events and concerts. The next is on March 8, when leading Bollywood composers and singers will perform in Dubai.

The station was rewarded for its efforts when it was named Best Radio Station in the UAE at the 5th Masala Awards in November.

"This level of success in only a year is something to be immensely proud of and we look forward to many more achievements in the year to come," said Abdul Rahman Awadh Al Harthi, the executive director of the Abu Dhabi radio network.

Radio Michi is on 97.3FM Abu Dhabi, 88.8FM Dubai and Northern Emirates and 95.6FM Al Ain.

newsdesk@thenational.ae