Channel 4 Radio Network goes live in Iraq (03/12/04)

Ajman headquartered Channel 4 Radio Network has gone live with the first Arabic music-based radio station, 98.8 FM, in Iraq on Wednesday. Channel 4 Radio Network is part of a joint venture that obtained an Iraqi licence in July, according to a top official.

Channel 4 Radio Network

The licensing procedure was conducted by Iraq’s Ruling Council and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the US.

The UAE company will manage the operations of the radio station, which will initially cover a population of eight million within a 100 kilometre radius of Baghdad. In time, the promoters expect to cover the whole of Iraq.

“We have already got advertising support for the Iraq programmes, which will follow the same format that has made our Arabic channel in the UAE - 107.8 FM - so successful,” said Mohammad Murad, managing director of Channel 4 Radio Network.

The Iraqi venture also heralds the company’s move to expand its interests into markets other than the UAE, where it operates three stations. The Arabic station has emerged the market leader in its category, according to recent research conducted on behalf of Channel 4 Radio Network.

Source: Channel 4 Radio Network