• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • TV/Radio Deals
  • Film partnerships
  • New appointments
  • Production
  • TV Channels
Against all odds

Against all odds

November 9, 2014
Netflix releases trailer for ‘Kid Cosmic’ series

Netflix releases trailer for ‘Kid Cosmic’ series

January 19, 2021
Electro-Voice launches Evolve 50M column loudspeaker system

Electro-Voice launches Evolve 50M column loudspeaker system

January 19, 2021
Eutelsat’s konnect to provide connectivity services to Côte d’Ivoire post office network

Eutelsat’s konnect to provide connectivity services to Côte d’Ivoire post office network

January 19, 2021
Reel Palestine Film Fest in UAE to feature Najwa Najjar and Zain Duraie’s films

Reel Palestine Film Fest in UAE to feature Najwa Najjar and Zain Duraie’s films

January 18, 2021
Evertz to acquire Studer’s strategic assets from Harman International

Evertz to acquire Studer’s strategic assets from Harman International

January 18, 2021
Israeli lighting specialists go with Robe for Red Alert

Israeli lighting specialists go with Robe for Red Alert

January 18, 2021
New drive-in cinema to launch in Riyadh

New drive-in cinema to launch in Riyadh

January 18, 2021
Egyptian film ‘Tuk-Tuk’ to represent Egypt at LA-based film festival

Egyptian film ‘Tuk-Tuk’ to represent Egypt at LA-based film festival

January 18, 2021
Two Arab producers to take part in Rotterdam Lab film training

Two Arab producers to take part in Rotterdam Lab film training

January 17, 2021
Viu launches new Arabic original series ‘Ansaf Majaneen’

Viu launches new Arabic original series ‘Ansaf Majaneen’

January 17, 2021
N1 TV Balkans Broadcast Network transitions to PlayBox Neo

N1 TV Balkans Broadcast Network transitions to PlayBox Neo

January 17, 2021
Dubai Opera to host movie music gala this February

Dubai Opera to host movie music gala this February

January 17, 2021
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Magazine Archive
  • Directory
  • Contact
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
BroadcastPro ME
  • News
    • All
    • Analyst Reports
    • AV
    • Film partnerships
    • International News
    • Mergers/Acquisitions
    • New appointments
    • OTT/Video Streaming
    • Production
    • Satellite/Broadcasting
    • Satellite/Comms
    • TV/Radio Deals
    Netflix releases trailer for ‘Kid Cosmic’ series

    Netflix releases trailer for ‘Kid Cosmic’ series

    Eutelsat’s konnect to provide connectivity services to Côte d’Ivoire post office network

    Eutelsat’s konnect to provide connectivity services to Côte d’Ivoire post office network

    Reel Palestine Film Fest in UAE to feature Najwa Najjar and Zain Duraie’s films

    Reel Palestine Film Fest in UAE to feature Najwa Najjar and Zain Duraie’s films

    Evertz to acquire Studer’s strategic assets from Harman International

    Evertz to acquire Studer’s strategic assets from Harman International

    Israeli lighting specialists go with Robe for Red Alert

    Israeli lighting specialists go with Robe for Red Alert

    New drive-in cinema to launch in Riyadh

    New drive-in cinema to launch in Riyadh

    Egyptian film ‘Tuk-Tuk’ to represent Egypt at LA-based film festival

    Egyptian film ‘Tuk-Tuk’ to represent Egypt at LA-based film festival

    Two Arab producers to take part in Rotterdam Lab film training

    Two Arab producers to take part in Rotterdam Lab film training

    Viu launches new Arabic original series ‘Ansaf Majaneen’

    Viu launches new Arabic original series ‘Ansaf Majaneen’

    N1 TV Balkans Broadcast Network transitions to PlayBox Neo

    N1 TV Balkans Broadcast Network transitions to PlayBox Neo

    Trending Tags

    • broadcast
    • MENA broadcast
    • ConnecTech2019
  • Tech Features
    • All
    • CASE STUDIES
    • New Media
    • REVIEWS
    • TV/Radio Deals
    Piracy – Unravelling the maze

    Piracy – Unravelling the maze

    Strategies to win the OTT race

    Strategies to win the OTT race

    The OTT journey – Learning from the experts

    The OTT journey – Learning from the experts

    Vox Pop Part One: Visualising the AR roadmap

    Vox Pop Part Two: Visualising the AR roadmap

    Vox Pop Part One: Visualising the AR roadmap

    Vox Pop Part One: Visualising the AR roadmap

    Premier League scraps pay-per-view model following backlash

    Premier League scraps pay-per-view model following backlash

    Shaping audio for broadcast

    Shaping audio for broadcast

    Video Piracy: Separating Fact from Fiction

    Video Piracy: Separating Fact from Fiction

    How to establish an 8K Future

    How to establish an 8K Future

    Demystifying the technology of AR for sports

    Demystifying the technology of AR for sports

    Trending Tags

    • Videos
      OTT Monitoring – Maximize return on your streaming investments

      OTT Monitoring – Maximize return on your streaming investments

      Pierre Tabet on what makes 7 Production tick

      Pierre Tabet on what makes 7 Production tick

      VIDEO: Hear it from Francesco Perta and Danny Bates on Dplay’s launch on StarzPlay

      VIDEO: Hear it from Francesco Perta and Danny Bates on Dplay’s launch on StarzPlay

      Industry experts showcase cinematography equipment at in5 workshop

      Industry experts showcase cinematography equipment at in5 workshop

      StarzPlay’s Maaz Sheikh and Exec Producer Kate Harwood-Baghdad Central premiere

      StarzPlay’s Maaz Sheikh and Exec Producer Kate Harwood-Baghdad Central premiere

      Sony launches PXW-FX9 full-frame 6K sensor camera in Dubai

      Sony launches PXW-FX9 full-frame 6K sensor camera in Dubai

      The Women Executives: Breaking the mould at the BroadcastPro 2019 Summit

      The Women Executives: Breaking the mould at the BroadcastPro 2019 Summit

      Content creators explore where content is heading in the MENA region

      Content creators explore where content is heading in the MENA region

      Envisioning a new media landscape with CEOs at the BroadcastPro 2019 Summit

      Envisioning a new media landscape with CEOs at the BroadcastPro 2019 Summit

    • Opinion
      AVOD: The best model for OTT success?

      AVOD: The best model for OTT success?

      Mobile LTE is key to simple and reliable live video contribution

      Mobile LTE is key to simple and reliable live video contribution

      How entertainment networks are fighting the pandemic

      How entertainment networks are fighting the pandemic

      New normal inspires fresh storylines and alternative filming strategies

      New normal inspires fresh storylines and alternative filming strategies

      Reviewing video content in the wake of Covid-19

      Reviewing video content in the wake of Covid-19

      Made in the UAE – with pride

      Made in the UAE – with pride

      Failing to prepare: Preparing to fail. Again?

      Failing to prepare: Preparing to fail. Again?

      Celebrating growth with BroadcastPro ME’s tenth anniversary

      Celebrating growth with BroadcastPro ME’s tenth anniversary

      Getting to grips with the AV-over-IP stack

      Getting to grips with the AV-over-IP stack

      How are businesses prioritising their expenditures in light of Covid-19?

      How are businesses prioritising their expenditures in light of Covid-19?

    • Interviews
      • All
      • Lounge
      Vox Pop Part One: Visualising the AR roadmap

      Vox Pop Part Two: Visualising the AR roadmap

      Vox Pop Part One: Visualising the AR roadmap

      Vox Pop Part One: Visualising the AR roadmap

      Will Covid-19 drive broadcasters into adopting IP?

      Will Covid-19 drive broadcasters into adopting IP?

      Vox Pop: The Road To IP

      Vox Pop: The Road To IP

      Let’s Tok Business: How TikTok is navigating the Middle East market

      Let’s Tok Business: How TikTok is navigating the Middle East market

      COVID-19: Its impact on the media world – Part II

      COVID-19: Its impact on the media world – Part II

      COVID-19: Its impact on the media world – Part I

      COVID-19: Its impact on the media world – Part I

      OSN: Back with a Bang

      OSN: Back with a Bang

      With Heba Korayem on how Ramadan programming has fared in the face of Covid-19

      With Heba Korayem on how Ramadan programming has fared in the face of Covid-19

      Faisal Hashmi: Crafting A Film Career

      Faisal Hashmi: Crafting A Film Career

    • Products
    • Magazine Archive
    • Events
    • LIVE
    No Result
    View All Result
    BroadcastPro ME
    • News
      • All
      • Analyst Reports
      • AV
      • Film partnerships
      • International News
      • Mergers/Acquisitions
      • New appointments
      • OTT/Video Streaming
      • Production
      • Satellite/Broadcasting
      • Satellite/Comms
      • TV/Radio Deals
      Netflix releases trailer for ‘Kid Cosmic’ series

      Netflix releases trailer for ‘Kid Cosmic’ series

      Eutelsat’s konnect to provide connectivity services to Côte d’Ivoire post office network

      Eutelsat’s konnect to provide connectivity services to Côte d’Ivoire post office network

      Reel Palestine Film Fest in UAE to feature Najwa Najjar and Zain Duraie’s films

      Reel Palestine Film Fest in UAE to feature Najwa Najjar and Zain Duraie’s films

      Evertz to acquire Studer’s strategic assets from Harman International

      Evertz to acquire Studer’s strategic assets from Harman International

      Israeli lighting specialists go with Robe for Red Alert

      Israeli lighting specialists go with Robe for Red Alert

      New drive-in cinema to launch in Riyadh

      New drive-in cinema to launch in Riyadh

      Egyptian film ‘Tuk-Tuk’ to represent Egypt at LA-based film festival

      Egyptian film ‘Tuk-Tuk’ to represent Egypt at LA-based film festival

      Two Arab producers to take part in Rotterdam Lab film training

      Two Arab producers to take part in Rotterdam Lab film training

      Viu launches new Arabic original series ‘Ansaf Majaneen’

      Viu launches new Arabic original series ‘Ansaf Majaneen’

      N1 TV Balkans Broadcast Network transitions to PlayBox Neo

      N1 TV Balkans Broadcast Network transitions to PlayBox Neo

      Trending Tags

      • broadcast
      • MENA broadcast
      • ConnecTech2019
    • Tech Features
      • All
      • CASE STUDIES
      • New Media
      • REVIEWS
      • TV/Radio Deals
      Piracy – Unravelling the maze

      Piracy – Unravelling the maze

      Strategies to win the OTT race

      Strategies to win the OTT race

      The OTT journey – Learning from the experts

      The OTT journey – Learning from the experts

      Vox Pop Part One: Visualising the AR roadmap

      Vox Pop Part Two: Visualising the AR roadmap

      Vox Pop Part One: Visualising the AR roadmap

      Vox Pop Part One: Visualising the AR roadmap

      Premier League scraps pay-per-view model following backlash

      Premier League scraps pay-per-view model following backlash

      Shaping audio for broadcast

      Shaping audio for broadcast

      Video Piracy: Separating Fact from Fiction

      Video Piracy: Separating Fact from Fiction

      How to establish an 8K Future

      How to establish an 8K Future

      Demystifying the technology of AR for sports

      Demystifying the technology of AR for sports

      Trending Tags

      • Videos
        OTT Monitoring – Maximize return on your streaming investments

        OTT Monitoring – Maximize return on your streaming investments

        Pierre Tabet on what makes 7 Production tick

        Pierre Tabet on what makes 7 Production tick

        VIDEO: Hear it from Francesco Perta and Danny Bates on Dplay’s launch on StarzPlay

        VIDEO: Hear it from Francesco Perta and Danny Bates on Dplay’s launch on StarzPlay

        Industry experts showcase cinematography equipment at in5 workshop

        Industry experts showcase cinematography equipment at in5 workshop

        StarzPlay’s Maaz Sheikh and Exec Producer Kate Harwood-Baghdad Central premiere

        StarzPlay’s Maaz Sheikh and Exec Producer Kate Harwood-Baghdad Central premiere

        Sony launches PXW-FX9 full-frame 6K sensor camera in Dubai

        Sony launches PXW-FX9 full-frame 6K sensor camera in Dubai

        The Women Executives: Breaking the mould at the BroadcastPro 2019 Summit

        The Women Executives: Breaking the mould at the BroadcastPro 2019 Summit

        Content creators explore where content is heading in the MENA region

        Content creators explore where content is heading in the MENA region

        Envisioning a new media landscape with CEOs at the BroadcastPro 2019 Summit

        Envisioning a new media landscape with CEOs at the BroadcastPro 2019 Summit

      • Opinion
        AVOD: The best model for OTT success?

        AVOD: The best model for OTT success?

        Mobile LTE is key to simple and reliable live video contribution

        Mobile LTE is key to simple and reliable live video contribution

        How entertainment networks are fighting the pandemic

        How entertainment networks are fighting the pandemic

        New normal inspires fresh storylines and alternative filming strategies

        New normal inspires fresh storylines and alternative filming strategies

        Reviewing video content in the wake of Covid-19

        Reviewing video content in the wake of Covid-19

        Made in the UAE – with pride

        Made in the UAE – with pride

        Failing to prepare: Preparing to fail. Again?

        Failing to prepare: Preparing to fail. Again?

        Celebrating growth with BroadcastPro ME’s tenth anniversary

        Celebrating growth with BroadcastPro ME’s tenth anniversary

        Getting to grips with the AV-over-IP stack

        Getting to grips with the AV-over-IP stack

        How are businesses prioritising their expenditures in light of Covid-19?

        How are businesses prioritising their expenditures in light of Covid-19?

      • Interviews
        • All
        • Lounge
        Vox Pop Part One: Visualising the AR roadmap

        Vox Pop Part Two: Visualising the AR roadmap

        Vox Pop Part One: Visualising the AR roadmap

        Vox Pop Part One: Visualising the AR roadmap

        Will Covid-19 drive broadcasters into adopting IP?

        Will Covid-19 drive broadcasters into adopting IP?

        Vox Pop: The Road To IP

        Vox Pop: The Road To IP

        Let’s Tok Business: How TikTok is navigating the Middle East market

        Let’s Tok Business: How TikTok is navigating the Middle East market

        COVID-19: Its impact on the media world – Part II

        COVID-19: Its impact on the media world – Part II

        COVID-19: Its impact on the media world – Part I

        COVID-19: Its impact on the media world – Part I

        OSN: Back with a Bang

        OSN: Back with a Bang

        With Heba Korayem on how Ramadan programming has fared in the face of Covid-19

        With Heba Korayem on how Ramadan programming has fared in the face of Covid-19

        Faisal Hashmi: Crafting A Film Career

        Faisal Hashmi: Crafting A Film Career

      • Products
      • Magazine Archive
      • Events
      • LIVE
      No Result
      View All Result
      BroadcastPro ME
      No Result
      View All Result
      Home Case Studies

      Against all odds

      Vibhuti Arora by Vibhuti Arora
      November 9, 2014
      in Case Studies, Radio Stations
      ShareTweetPostEmail

      Commercial radio in Palestine is growing strong despite obstacles, and remains a popular source of news and entertainment. Vibhuti Arora finds out what it takes to broadcast from a conflict zone While in many international markets, radio has suffered a decline in revenues as a result of the shift to digital platforms, it remains resilient […]

      Walid Nassar, Ajyal Radio Network, Palestine.
      Walid Nassar, Ajyal Radio Network, Palestine.

      Commercial radio in Palestine is growing strong despite obstacles, and remains a popular source of news and entertainment. Vibhuti Arora finds out what it takes to broadcast from a conflict zone

      While in many international markets, radio has suffered a decline in revenues as a result of the shift to digital platforms, it remains resilient in the Arab region. In fact, radio has displayed a robust growth rate in most Arab countries, owing to a proliferation of private FM channels. Radio remains a preferred medium in conflict zones for its reach and accessibility, and Palestine is no exception.

      Commercial radio has been going strong in Palestine despite the conflict, with success attributed to daytime usage on the roads and mobile phone applications. According to JMCC.org (Jerusalem Media and Communications Centre), 62% of Palestinians listen to radio frequently between 6am and 6pm.

      With more than 80 stations, radio continues to be a popular medium for news and entertainment in Palestine and it is constantly evolving, according to Walid Nassar, CEO of Ajyal Radio Network, a homegrown Palestinian radio station. Ajyal Radio has grown steadily since its launch in 1999. Focusing mainly on Palestinian and regional news, the network covers politics, social services, finance, sports commentary and religious programming.

      97% of its programming is produced in Palestine. The network boasts of three channels under the ARN (Ajyal Radio Network) umbrella: Ajyal FM – ‘Ajyal’ means ‘generations’ – targeting a broad spectrum of listeners; Angham FM, with an all-female presenter team, targeting young people; and Ramallah FM, which plays non-stop music from Ramallah City, for an age-group that is between 13 and 25 years.

      “We offer many music shows with 70% Arabic music and 30% Palestinian music. Although we do not have a big library of Palestinian music, we do offer local music shows to keep the focus on locally generated content, as that’s what our audience wants,” comments Nassar.

      The network offers 22 FM frequencies in all Palestinian cities, covering the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem. It is broadcast in Palestine, with some spillover into Jordan (Palestine also receives Jordanian radio channels).

      “We have a number of listeners outside Palestine. We re-run some programmes due to the time difference, especially with North and South America, where Ajyal Radio is quite popular,” says Nassar.

      “We mainly broadcast local news from Palestine, almost 30% of listeners in Palestine tune in to Ajyal Radio Network. According to a private survey made by the British Council, Ajyal Radio Network has 1.5 million listeners. That’s why they chose our frequencies to run the BBC’s Learning English radio programme,” Nassar adds.

      While news and entertainment are popular, ARN’s radio investigation stories are its top offering and remain its USP. The station also functions as a link between the local population and the government.

      “We are a specialist in Radio Investigation Stories (RIS). What makes us popular is the fact that we focus on people’s needs and fulfil them. The vast majority of our news and programmes focus on local issues and topics, because there is a demand for that,” claims Nassar.

      The station often reports on the local government’s performance.

      “We do not have a working Palestinian parliament [since the division between Fateh and Hamas in 2006], so radio plays a key role in voicing people’s opinions,” explains Nassar.

      Radio challenges

      The topography of Palestine poses a major challenge in establishing a terrestrial broadcast infrastructure. 75% of Palestinians live in cities surrounded by mountains, and in conflict zones, it is hard to cover news from all parts of the state.

      “Our reporters have been attacked and violated by Israeli soldiers on several occasions. Our staff cannot reach the radio station, especially if they live outside the central station city of Ramallah, as they are stopped at Israeli checkpoints. We face the same problem when we go to inspect our stations outside the cities for maintenance purposes. There is interference with our frequencies from the Israeli side, especially from their settlements in the West Bank,” comments Nassar.

      However, he claims that the network “has very smart engineers to keep up with the latest advancements in technology, despite the many hurdles we face”.

      “We also have a new fibre terrestrial network infrastructure in Palestine.”

      Ajyal Radio Network uses the fibre SHDSL VPN system, which allows us to connect all our FM sites with excellent connectivity.

      “In the West Bank and Jerusalem, we have many frequencies that are given by the Israeli Army to the settlers in Israeli settlements. If we do not use these, Israel will.”

      Nassar laments the challenge of living off short-term plans and implementing them as quickly as possible because of the volatile situation in the state.

      “Long-term plans don’t work for us. We have to act quickly lest it’s too late, as the future is so uncertain for us. I hope to see a day when I can plan just like my peers do in other parts of the world. But living in a conflict zone, we don’t have that luxury; we take each day as it comes. At times, we have had to go with plan D, as our A, B and C plans fail. My dream is to live in a free country with no more occupation. We take it as our duty to reach out to our people and keep them well informed.”

      ARN offers each Palestinian city its own dedicated radio station. The network has 22 stations across the state, giving locals a sense of association with their station.

      The 22 radios include one central and ten repeaters for Ajyal FM, which makes 11 frequencies; one central and nine repeaters for Angham FM; and one central for Ramallah FM. Nassar explains that any repeater can become the central one if there is a big event in that city. For instance, if Nablus has an event, it becomes the central station and the other cities are repeaters.

      Popular programmes

      Radio Magazine, presented by Mayson Manasra, has been driving the ratings up with 70% of ARN listeners tuning into the show. Ajyal This Morning is another popular show, and Shadows on the Other Side, presented by Fat’hi Barqawi, has a high percentage of listeners in the morning and during midday. However, the most listened-to programme features folk songs.

      The stations are manned by 38 full-time staff and 12 part-timers, and are mainly funded by advertising revenues from various sectors including telecom, internet, banking, consumer goods and education.

      Tags: Ajyal NetworkAjyal Radio NetworkPalestineradioWalid Nassar

      Related Posts

      Najwa Najjar’s ‘Between Heaven and Earth’ to release on Shahid VIP

      Najwa Najjar’s ‘Between Heaven and Earth’ to release on Shahid VIP

      January 5, 2021
      Ibiza Global Radio 95.3FM launches in the UAE

      Ibiza Global Radio 95.3FM launches in the UAE

      October 21, 2020
      Bahrain’s information ministry launches platform for radio and TV broadcast

      Bahrain’s information ministry launches platform for radio and TV broadcast

      October 15, 2020
      ‘Gaza Mon Amour’ wins Netpac Award at Toronto International Film Festival

      ‘Gaza Mon Amour’ wins Netpac Award at Toronto International Film Festival

      September 21, 2020
      Ameen Nayfeh’s ‘200 Meters’ to participate in El Gouna Film Festival

      Ameen Nayfeh’s ‘200 Meters’ to participate in El Gouna Film Festival

      September 10, 2020
      Covid-19 doesn’t dampen radio listening in the UAE: Nielsen

      Covid-19 doesn’t dampen radio listening in the UAE: Nielsen

      June 3, 2020

      Related News

      More Related News

      Popular Stories

      • ONTime Sports 3 channel launches in Egypt

        ONTime Sports 3 channel launches in Egypt

        1583 shares
        Share 633 Tweet 396
      • Airbus completes Preliminary Design Review for Skynet 6A

        767 shares
        Share 307 Tweet 192
      • Radio Television of Djibouti deploys Etere solution

        729 shares
        Share 292 Tweet 182
      • Two Arab producers to take part in Rotterdam Lab film training

        701 shares
        Share 280 Tweet 175
      • Al Kamel System set to support Extreme E broadcast

        677 shares
        Share 271 Tweet 169

      BroadcastPro ME

      • About
      • Advertise
      • Subscribe
      • Magazine Archive
      • Directory
      • Contact
      • Privacy

      Follow us on Social Media

      No Result
      View All Result
      • News
      • Tech Features
      • Videos
      • Opinion
      • Interviews
      • Products
      • Magazine Archive
      • Events
      • LIVE

      Login to your account below

      Forgotten Password?

      Fill the forms bellow to register

      All fields are required. Log In

      Retrieve your password

      Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

      Log In