As Urdu Radio FM 107 celebrates 41st anniversary, it looks to youth to shape content, boost creativity
The channel, previously known as Radio Qatar Urdu Service, is popular among expats from South Asian nations
URD Radio FM 107, which celebrated its 41st anniversary on January 1, has lined up an array of programmes to attract younger listeners.
The channel, previously known as Radio Qatar rdu Service, is popular among expatriates from South Asian countries. Starting from one-hour airtime in 1980 with just two RJs and gradually expanding, it now has 24 7 service with extremely popular programmes. Its programmes are known for addressing all sectors of the society and cover various sections like news, sports, social affairs, health, entertainment, children, women, and awareness about local laws and regulations.
The long journey of rdu Radio has been a story of strength and perseverance. It has received several accolades for its programmes from different departments and expatriate organisations.
It is known as a voice of the sub-continent and the go to place for expatriates of Indian, Pakistani, Nepalese and Bangladeshi origin as well as of those who speak Hindi and or rdu.
On completion of outstanding four decades of its operations, FM 107 rdu Radio sponsored the National Day Cricket Tournament wherein teams of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka participated. With COVID-19 restrictions, the stadium was full to the permitted capacity and it was a memorable tournament attended by the dignitaries like Ambassador of Bangladesh to Qatar HE Md Jashim ddin, ambassador-designate of Sri Lanka HE Mohamed Mafaz Mohideen and officials of Qatar Olympic Committee.
rdu Radio FM107 went all out to celebrate Qatar’s National Day with its listeners. The ambassadors of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal were among the dignitaries who went live on air from rdu Radio studios. They interacted with listeners and shared their views on the relationship between Qatar and their respective countries. They also shared their opinions on the issues of the compatriots who call Qatar their second home.
Parvez Khan, vice president, Investments, Commercial Bank of Qatar, visited the studio and shared his views with the listeners.
“rdu Radio has been appreciated not just by our listeners and promoters but at the world stage,” said Acting Director Shadab Ahmad Khan.
De Gruyter, Germanybased scholarly publishing house specialising in academic literature, acknowledged that COVID-19 awareness campaign by rdu Radio FM 107 was the most impactful in Qatar.
FM107 presenters Obaid Tahir, Dr Fauzia Shafiq and Saif-ur-Rehman were instrumental in creating awareness among masses by radio.
Obaid Tahir used radio’s Facebook page as well as his personal page, to spread the message across to millions of people not just in Qatar but in other GCC countries as well.
Today, residents of other GCC countries air their views on the radio’s live shows.
Dynamic Khan, who has been at the helm of rdu Radio FM 107 from the last year, is trying hard to bring back the channel into the mainstream. Khan is a strong believer of the maxim: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”.
With a wide base of approximately 1.6 million
rdu Hindi speaking community living in Qatar, not only is FM107 a means of entertainment but a means of outreach to different communities. The channel been the seat of infotainment over the last four decades. The new wave of reforms brought in by the acting director has been praised. A host of new programmes were introduced last year in addition to some new initiatives.
Commenting on the importance of radio, Khan said: “Radio’s existence was doubted with the satellite TV’s dawn but nothing has been able to replace radio. It still enjoys the widest engagement of audience across globe. Change is the only constant. With the changing times, we need to change and bring in new ways. The new generation is futuristic, intelligent and tech-savvy and hence, radio broadcasters need to bring in radio shows that would woo the younger listeners.”
“The same needs to be done with our local radio station. It is important that we bring in new youth-oriented shows -- educational, comedy, quiz general knowledge or reality shows. Diversity, ingenuity and availability of new content and new programmes is the key to success,” added Khan, who has also lined up some new shows that will see the light of the day soon.
“This will not only bring in younger listeners to the radio but will keep the existing ones tuned in asking for encore.”
With new technological advancement, he is hopeful that the outreach of radio will expand to new levels. He is confident that the new listening habits of the youth coupled with emerging technologies and exceptional creativity of new content makers and programmers would have a profound impact on radio. Also, these reforms will go a long way in improving radio as a medium of entertainment and education.
As the nation gears up for the upcoming games, radio management is certain that the future of FM 107 is bright with a vision to make radio an enduring and innovative form of media.
As rdu Radio steps into the new era of more inclusive broadcast, the channel’s listeners will have a major role in the programming of the station, noted Khan.
Urdu Radio has been appreciated not just by our listeners and promoters but at the world stage
Urdu Radio FM 107 Acting Director Shadab Ahmad Khan.