Radio stations in Qatar?
Hello!
I'm a radio journalist in San Francisco, USA, and my family is reclocating to Doha next year.
I was wondering about the English-speaking radio stations there- what are they, what kind of programming do they have, and how do YOU rate them? Do they do alot of news reporting? Feature stories? Or are they mostly just music stations?
I plan to freelance for some US radio programs when I get to Doha, but I also wanted to know what local opportunities there might be as well.
Thanks in advance for your help!
SF Mommy
Although this is a pretty old topic, I just chanced upon it during a Google search for some info.Here's a list of stations that are currently running in Doha:FM Stations 90.8 – QBS Arabic 92.0 – MBC 92.6 – Radio Sawa Gulf 93.4 – Radio Monte Carlo 93.7 – QF Radio 94.0 – Orynx FM French 94.6 – Bahrain FM97.5 – QBS English/French 100.8 – Sout Al Khaleej 101.7 – Al Jazeera English 103.4 – Quran Kareem Radio 104.0 – Radio Emirate FM 107.4 – BBC Arabic Service It's not much compared to what other countries may have, but I guess the other alternative is the Podcast directory on iTunes and other such websites for a more global coverage of news, music etc. I grew up in Doha in the '90's and the above list of stations is a tremendous improvement from the 1 or 2 stations that were available in the '90's. It's impressive that there even is a 'list' of local stations at all and that too, in different languages.
When have you ever seen an Al Jazeera programme mention Qatar, let alone criticize it?
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
deedee, don't say about freedom of press is not known here. remember Al Jazera is in Qatar and is known for its freedom to speak.
The wise person has long ears and a short tongue.
yeah, you don't get it. Everything here is controlled. There is no such thing as an independent journalist in any media here.
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
Bahrain Radio is light years ahead of QBS.
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
YIKES, MagicDragon!
LOL you guys are hilarious. Actually it WOULD be funny if it wasn't so sad..
I've been listening to the QBS online for a day now, it seems mostly music and countdowns. Haven't heard real programming so far, but that could be because of the time difference. It's late night your time when I'm listening..
Well, I'm really not a DJ- so music shows aren't my thing. I'm a public radio reporter/writer/news anchor/
on-air host/editor.. So from what you're saying, it might make more sense to get a job with one of the English newspapers there- they seem to cover a wider range of topics than who's birthday it is. LOL
Or hopefully a private company thinks to open up a better English station, like the ones in the UAE perhaps. Sounds like there's enough of an audience in Doha to make it a feasible project!
how funny. I have actually perfected my impression of the Bahrain News guy already. How BORED does he sound?! It's so irritating that it's nearly good.
He's an important part of my day. And that's WEIRD.
sfmommy.. I've only been here a couple of weeks and it mainly sucks. Still trying to work out what day and time it was when some guy did full on Led Zep. Now THAT was nice. There's another ad that drives me crazy though... they have a 30 second clip of Cold Cut and then kick into Paul Young or equal amounts of pure shite.
Why, why, why? Oh yeah.. and the quality Old School Drum and Base mixed with Back Street Boys and Whitney. Again, it would be funny if it wasn't happening to me.:)
Politics, religion, social issues. But you can say whose birthday it is (even if he's already dead), what time it is, how the weather is ... And in between you play some music hoping that the CD player is doing its job properly.
So I'm guessing "state controlled" wouold probably mean steering clear away from any politics, right?
Even so, there are SO many things to report on. There's got to be more news than bilateral relations and who is congratulating who on what.. What about social issues, happenings, new research and studies coming out of the many new Western Universities setting up in Doha, science and health issues, Expat news and views on what's going on in their various countries, even like a daily or weekly calendar of happenings in Doha..there's so much to do that has nothing to do with any politics...
Or am I the American outsider who is totally not getting it?
:)
SF Mommy
Freedom of the press is not a known concept here.
You should also understand that QBS is "state controlled". So you may not be too free in what you'd like to broadcast.
Get here and quick!!!!!!!!!
There is a serious need for a GREAT English language radio station. The one and only here is in dire need of a complete revamp!!!!! We are sometimes lucky enough, when driving, to pick up the signal from Bahrain and Dubai. That in itself makes us realise that we really do need a proper radio station and one with some serious humour!!!!!!!!!
Waiting for you to come and turn this city around!!!!!!
i have fm modulator in my car, with 2gb flash drive i can play lots of my fav music over and over again...
i have to thank the abysmal quality of the local radio here for introducing me to worldspace. Never had to look back since :)
You can't teach experience...
Thanks everyone for your input!
Wow! I would have thought that , with the growing expat population in Qatar, that there'd be a solid English station to keep those expats in the know. Maybe a show on the latest in UK, US, India news? A show that reports on what expats are up to- activities? Schooling issues?
Hmm... now I'm beginning to wonder if the QBS is willing to "up" its level of news, and whether they'd accept some proposals to shake it up a little..
Or maybe, I'd best stick to my freelancing...
Thanks again!!
You would tear your hair out at the state of radio 'news' here.
All you need to do is read out a long list of which royal/minister met who, telephoned whom, wrote to who but never find out why - except to discuss 'bilateral relations', wish them happy birthday/so sorry for your loss or congrats on your country's special day!!!!!!
DRIVES ME MAD!!!!!! MAD I TELL YA!!!!!!!
PS. - Also "Cabinet meets to discuss Law 3486A"!!! Well that's me informed and in the loop then!!!!
BEYOND MAD!!!!!
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
QBS - Qatar Broadcasting Service is one of the local FM Station, but needs a serious rework. Most of the guyz online need a serious training.
The wise person has long ears and a short tongue.
English-speaking radio here is really bad-almost non-existent. You can get BBC and some stations from nearby countries, but the reception can be horrible at times. It frustrates me to no end, especially in the car.
im listening at radios on the web, so doesnt matter where you are , but local radio are not as developed as dubai ones
The less said the better
It sucks big time
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