Middle East Broadcasting Centre (MBC) is to launch a 24-hour news and music FM radio service in May, MBC deputy chief executive Robert Kennedy said at MEED's Gulf 94 conference in Dubai on 23 March (see page 34).

The service is to be delivered to the region by satellite along with MBC's television channel, launched in 1991. This will allow receivers of MBC television to receive the radio service as well. There are plans to retransmit the radio service locally. 'We are talking to people now about the possibility of rebroadcasting the radio service in Saudi Arabia and a couple of other areas,' Kennedy said. The programmes will be made in the UK.

MBC television is to be carried on the microwave multi-directional system (MMDS) due to open in Saudi Arabia next year (MEED 25:3:94, Cover Story)