ABU DHABI // A relaunched Radio 1 and Radio 2 began broadcasting to the UAE on Monday.
The two stations took to their airwaves with programmes of music, news, talk and entertainment shows targeting a range of age groups.
Radio 1, which is aiming for 18-to-30 year olds, will feature a Breakfast Show plus programmes called Fresh and First and Drive.
Focused on an older age group of 30-to-45 year olds, Radio 2 will air music from the 1980s and 1990s.
Both brands were previously held by Gulf News’s broadcasting arm. The stations stopped broadcasting in the summer of last year.
The stations are now being hosted by Abu Dhabi Media, and will be added to the Abu Dhabi Radio Network. They brings the number of stations under Abu Dhabi Media’s umbrella to eight as the total number of print and broadcast brands to 27.
It also reflects the companies desire to expand its English-language radio stations which also includes Abu Dhabi Classic FM.
Abu Dhabi Media’s director general, Dr Ali bin Tamim, said the company aimed to provide content for listeners with varied age groups and cultural backgrounds not only in the UAE but also across the Middle East.
He said: “Radio 1 and Radio 2 represent a new phase in Abu Dhabi Media’s journey aimed at reaching a more diverse radio audience with a new cultural perspective that imitates the lifestyle of listeners.”
Radio 1 launched on 100.5 FM in Abu Dhabi and on 104.1 FM in Dubai, while Radio 2 started airing on 106 FM in Abu Dhabi and on 99.3 FM in Dubai.
Abu Dhabi Media is the publisher of The National.
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