BBC Arabic and World Service English launch via FM in Oman

The BBC has today announced that BBC Arabic and BBC World Service English content is now available for listeners via two new FM radio stations  in the Omani capital Muscat. BBC World Service English and BBC Arabic will be broadcast 24/7 reaching up to 1.15 million people in Oman. The BBC is the only international broadcaster to broadcast on FM radio in Oman. The Oman Ministry of Information has granted the BBC a licence to setup FM relay frequencies, which are available in English on 103.2 FM and in Arabic on 89.8 FM The BBC will be working with  broadcaster, Entertainment Network, to manage the service for the FM relays. Richard Porter, Controller of BBC Global News, English, said: “I am delighted that we are building on our growing presence in the Gulf Region, and that in addition to our services in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE, listeners in Oman will now be able to listen to BBC World Service English content via FM. We are looking forward to engaging with audiences.” Tarik Kafala, head of BBC Arabic, said: "Oman is an influential and strategically important country in the region and has a long standing relationship with the BBC. Omanis are avid listeners of BBC Arabic and providing FM quality service will significantly improve the listener experience.” Simon Kendall, Head of Business Development for BBC World Service said: “This is an exciting development which will significantly enhance the BBC offer to audiences in Oman and we are very pleased to be working together with Entertainment Network SAOC in order to establish the two new FM stations”