The Arabian Radio Network is, today, launching seven new digital-radio brands to better serve and grow its audience. Complementing the output from its existing terrestrial services, the new brands will offer content based on mood and be accessible via smartphone apps, including on iPhone and Android.
Virgin Radio is adding two new brands. The first, Virgin Radio Beat, will be the UAE’s only brand dedicated to playing club anthems, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Virgin Radio Chill will offer tracks to the UAE straight from the chill-out room at your favourite club, perfect for relaxing at home with friends or on the beach, and remixes of current hits heard on Virgin Radio 104.4. Both these new brands are available via the Virgin Radio UAE smartphone app.
The UAE’s most popular radio station, City 1016, is also launching two new digital brand extensions: City Dil Se, which will offer listeners the opportunity to access the biggest Bollywood hits from the last 30 years, with romance being a core focus of content. City Dance will keep the young desi clubbing market entertained with non-stop club anthems and remixes of current Bollywood hits for those that want to party round the clock!
Commenting on the new brands, Mahmoud al Rasheed, General Manager of ARN, said: “ARN serves a wide audience of over 190 nationalities, in the world’s most cosmopolitan city, Dubai, on a daily basis. We are proud to launch these digital brands to meet audience and advertiser demand.”
The UAE’s most popular Malayalam radio station is Hit 96.7, which is also adding a brand extension by launching Hit Classics, playing Malayalam hits from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s — all the classic songs for Malayalis to sing along with, available via the Hit 96.7 smartphone app.
Dubai 92 is also adding two new services: 92 Smooth, the ultimate antidote to the UAE’s bustling lifestyle, playing relaxing classics from the ’60s to the present day.
The other addition for Dubai 92’s audience is 92 Rock — playing non-stop classic rock from the late ’60s to the late ’90s, available via the Dubai 92 smartphone app.
Chief Operating Officer of the now 16-station network, Steve Smith, commented: “Radio listening is often mood-based and these new digital brands allow us to build audience loyalty and complement the terrestrial stations. With the mobile phone being at the centre of our world, we want to ensure that we are embracing the latest technology as we continue to lead the media market in the UAE.”
This initiative is the first phase of a long-term strategy to continue to dominate the media landscape; ARN has committed to launching more services in order to ensure it is well positioned for growth in the broadcasting industry in the coming years.
The new digital apps follow ARN’s commitment to on-going innovation, with its recent launch of a simulcast radio stream, exclusively in partnership with OSN. The tie-up means TV viewers can listen to all of ARN’s terrestrial radio brands via their satellite subscription, at no extra cost, and on the best speakers in the house — their TV’s surround sound.
The network has also launched the ARN News Centre smartphone app and website, to offer content to consumers 24 hours a day. Updated on average 32 times a day, the service offers bite-size local and international news in Arabic, English and Malayalam, the only tri-language news service in the UAE.
About ARN
The Arabian Radio Network is the largest and most successful radio network in the Middle East, with nine radio stations representing every major community in the UAE.
Radio stations include Tag 91.1, Al Khaleejiya 100.9, Al Arabiya 99, Dubai 92, 92 Smooth, 92 Rock Virgin Radio 104.4, Virgin Radio Chill, Virgin Radio Beat, Dubai Eye 103.8, City 101.6, City Dil Se, City Dance, Hit 96.7, Hit Classics and Radio Shoma 93.4.
Headquartered at Dubai Media City, ARN is part of the Arab Media Group.
For further information visit: www.arn.ae
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