Arabian Radio Network, which has eight stations, plans to launch more stations in the future. |
More than 3 million listeners tune in to network every day
Arabian Radio Network ( ARN) is set to launch a radio station by the end
of this quarter catering to a new community in the Emirates.
“We have eight radio stations and we plan to launch more stations going
forward,” said Steve Smith, the chief operating officer at ARN. “We will
be launching a new radio station this quarter. We are very close to
knowing what the format is going to be like.”
Mr Smith refused to reveal the language of the new station, but said
that the network had been researching its feasibility for the past two
years.
“We think there are great opportunities in the UAE market and we are
going to service that; and that is part of our mandate too. We are
government- owned and it is important that all communities have their
own entertainment,” he said.
ARN is also focusing on growing its digital listenership, while its
shows across the network attract 3.3 million listeners daily. There has
been a sharp rise in digital listenership.
“We have seen dramatic audience improvement across all our
stations,” said Mr Smith. “We make up about 54 per cent of the overall
market share and with the new stations planned, it will definitely
grow.”
The network is averaging 900,000 unique listeners online through
websites, mobile applications and other online feeds. This is up from
about 556,000 in 2011. The rise of smartphones in the UAE has also
raised digital listenership. Almost 800,000 apps were downloaded last
year, up from 499,000 in 2011.
“We think radio is going through a golden age in this market,” said Mr Smith.
“Commercially we are catching up. Currently radio accounts for 4
per cent of total advertising revenue, whereas the average globally is
about 7 to 12 per cent. So the potential is massive.”
According to Mr Smith, the radio networks in the country are
working together to improve radio advertising and the data being
presented to the commercial world.
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