Abu Dhabi Classic FM Brings Symphonic Masterworks to UAE Airwaves

Nation’s first dedicated classical music radio station to support Abu Dhabi’s cultural events

Music lovers will be treated to the works of Beethoven, Mahler, Vivaldi and other legendary composers with the launch of Abu Dhabi Classic FM, which will begin broadcasting on 23rd October 2009 to celebrate the launch of the Abu Dhabi Classics 2010 season.  Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC) today announced that the new radio station will be available to listeners in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain on 91.6 and 105.2FM.

Abu Dhabi Classic FM will deliver world class programming that will also include jazz and world music in addition to an inspiring classical repertoire. The station will also provide news and information on all events associated with the Abu Dhabi Classics 2010 season, beginning with the opening concert, which will feature The New York Philharmonic orchestra performing at the Emirates Palace auditorium in Abu Dhabi on 23rd October. This will be the start of a phased launch, which will see more programming and services being introduced over the next six months.

Karim Sarkis, Executive Director of Broadcast, ADMC said, “Abu Dhabi Classic FM will complement the capital’s cultural events while reaching out to a sophisticated and culturally attuned audience of decision makers that has never been tapped before, with a programming line up that is on par with international standards.”

“Abu Dhabi is growing in influence as the region’s cultural capital with events like the Abu Dhabi Classics and it is only fitting that ADMC lends its support by creating a new channel dedicated to classical music and cultural events,” said Abdulrahman Awadh al Harithi, Director of Abu Dhabi Radio Network. “This is only the latest milestone in Abu Dhabi Radio Network’s goal to cater to different audiences groups from one integrated media platform.”

“Interactivity will be a key factor in the success of Abu Dhabi Classic FM and we hope it will open classical music to a whole new generation of listeners,” said Phillip Matthews, English Services Manager, Abu Dhabi Radio Network. “Our aim is to educate and entertain and we are planning specialist programming, outreach programmes to schools, clubs and societies, along with news and information.”

About Abu Dhabi Media Company
Abu Dhabi Media Company is one of the fastest growing, multi-platform media organizations in the region created in 2007 as a public joint stock company from the assets of Emirates Media Incorporated.

Abu Dhabi Media Company owns and operates a range of television channels (Abu Dhabi Al Oula, Abu Dhabi Al Emarat, Abu Dhabi Al Riyadiya, Abu Dhabi Al Riyadiya 2, Abu Dhabi Al Riyadiya 3 Abu Dhabi +1 and National Geographic Abu Dhabi) and a network of radio stations (Abu Dhabi FM, Emarat FM, Star FM, Holy Quran FM), as well as number of publications (Al Ittihad newspaper, The National Newspaper, Zahrat Al Khaleej magazine, Super magazine and Majid magazine) and a number of other media related businesses including Imagenation Abu Dhabi that will develop, finance and produce full length feature films and digital content for Arabic and international markets; LIVE which owns a fleet of outdoor HD broadcast vans and a state of the art printing press, United Printing Press.

Abu Dhabi Media Company employs 2098 people across its operating units which include publishing, television, radio, digital media, distribution, and printing.
The company is headquartered in Abu Dhabi with offices in Cairo, Dubai and Washington D.C.