Radio and television channels of Dubai

Dubai is the media hub for the Middle East region and is home to many television and radio channels.

Dubai Television

There are a few terrestrial television channels but most people choose from the hundreds of regional channels on offer via satellite or cable.

Pay or subscription television in Dubai is available on cable via E-Vision (a division of Etisalat) or via satellite directly from the providers; OSN (Orbit Showtime Network), Star TV and ART. OSN provides a wide selection of English (primarily US, but also UK, Canadian and Australian) programming, subtitled in Arabic. Leading English shows and movies are primarily shown first and exclusively on OSN. Star TV also has some first-run programmes.

The main free to air English television channels are Dubai One, MBC 4, MBC Action, MBC 2, Physique TV and City 7 TV. Most shows are broadcast in English, with Arabic subtitles, with the exception of City 7 that does not subtitle their programming. Dubai One, MBC 4 and MBC Action show mostly well known US, and some UK series but will generally be six months or more behind the pay or subscription channels.

• Abu Dhabi TV, Arabic and in particular local series.
• Dubai TV, a channel by the Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI). Arabic local and regional programming.
• Dubai One, a channel by Dubai Media Incorporated. 24-hour free-to-air English language entertainment channel with primarily US series, available in the Middle East and North Africa.
• Physique TV, Physique TV is the first and only 24 hour HD television channel in English & Arabic dedicated to fitness, healthy living, nutrition and action sport.
• City 7 TV, an independent Dubai based, free-to-air, 100% English-language channel. Providing locally produced English News, Business and lifestyle programmes combined with International lifestyle, drama and comedy programmes. Available via satellite in the Middle East and North Africa.
• MBC, a network of free-to-air English and Arabic stations broadcasting 24-hours from Dubai Media City and available via satellite across the Middle East and North Africa.
  - MBC Max is a channel for the latest Hollywood films, still new.
  - MBC 4 is an English channel with primarily US series targeted to women.
  - MBC Action is an English channel with primarily US action series, targeted to men.
  - MBC 2 is an English channel showing Western movies.
  - MBC 3 is a children's channel that is primarily Arabic with some limited English programming.
  - MBC 1 is an Arabic channel showcasing local and regional Arabic series and entertainment programmes.
  - Al-Arabiya is an Arabic-language news channel.

Dubai Radio

Dubai is well served by terrestrial radio (AM & FM) with a huge variety of stations broadcasting in the languages commonly spoken in the city; Arabic, English, Russian, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil,Malayalam and Filipino. The FM band is particularly crowded, with a new station every 2 or 3 MHz apart, some from neighbouring Emirates and countries in the Persian Gulf.

General standards have improved greatly in the past few years and many stations are now at par with leading stations in major metropolitan cities in the world. However, the media in Dubai and the UAE is still heavily government regulated. Most stations, even those privately owned, are often still government controlled. In particular, all radio stations must cease normal broadcasting in the event of the death of a Sheikh or close relative of a Sheikh. This normally happens for a period of 3 days to a week, or more, depending on the standing of the deceased.

Dubai radio is the essential guide to surviving Dubai's hectic traffic with most stations placing importance on frequent traffic updates during the day, mostly from listeners.

Arabic radio

• Mix FM UAE 90.80FM
• Abu Dhabi Radio (AM/FM)
• Al Rabia 1078 FM - Channel 4 Media Broadcasting
• Al Emarat
• Quran Kareem
• Al Arabiya 99.0FM - Arabian Radio Network
• Al Khaleejia 100.9FM - Arabian Radio Network
• Al Rabia FM 107.8FM
• Noor Dubai 93.9FM
• Sawa 90.5FM
• Star 92.4/99.9FM

English radio

• Dance FM - Top 40/Dance/House; 97.8 FM (Dubai), Shock ME
• Radio 1 - Top 40/Dance/R&B; 104.1 FM (Dubai), 100.5 FM (Abu Dhabi) Gulf News Broadcasting
• Radio 2 - Classic Hits; 99.3 FM (Dubai) 106.0 FM (Abu Dhabi) Gulf News Broadcasting
• Channel 4 FM - Top 40; 104.8 FM Channel 4 Radio Network
• Coast 103.2 - Rhythmic Adult Contemporary; 103.2 FM Channel 4 Media/Fujairah Media Network
• Dubai 92 - Adult Contemporary; 92.0 FM Arabian Radio Network
• Dubai Eye 103.8 - News, Talk & Sport; 103.8 FM Arabian Radio Network
• Virgin Radio Dubai - Top 40; 104.4 FM Arabian Radio Network
• Rock Radio 90.7 - The First Rock Radio station in the Gulf.

Hindi/Urdu radio

• Radio 4 - 89.1 FM No 1 for Hit Gaane - Channel 4 Media Networks
• City 101.6 - Arabian Radio Network
• Radio Mirchi 88.8 - Abu Dhabi Media Network
• 102.4 Suno FM
• Hum 106.2 Shamal Media Services
• Radio Josh 97.8
• 105.4 Spice FM

Korean radio

• 102.3 Super K-Pop FM- The First K-Pop Radio station in Dubai

Malayalam radio

• Radio Mango 96.2 FM A Malayala Manorama Group Company
• Club FM 99.6 A Mathrubhumi Initiative
• Hit FM 96.7 FM - Arabian Radio Network
• Gold FM 101.3 FM - Channel 4 Network
• Radio RED 94.7 - MEDON Media
• Radio Me 100.3 FM
• Asianet Radio 657 AM
• Pravasi Bharathi 810 AM
• Radio Asia 1269 AM
• Voice of kerala 1152am
• shakthi 1269AM

Russian radio

• Auto Radio 103.2 FM

Tamil radio

• TAMIL 89.4 FM
• Hello FM 106.5 FM

Filipino radio

• Tag 91.1 - Arabian Radio Network

 wow 107- hello fm group

Persian radio

Radio Shoma 93.4 - Arabian Radio Network

All stations

See also

• Dubai
• Dubai Media City
• Dubai Studio City
• Physique TV
• Dubai 33
• Dubai Media Incorporated
• Dubai TV
• Dubai One
• Arab Media Group
• Gulf News
• Radio 1
• Arabian Radio Network