Dubai launches radio station for kids

The Middle East’s first radio station exclusively for children– Pearl FM – is set to launch in Dubai on October 1. 

According to The National, UAE, the 24-hour station will broadcast in English on 102 FM from newly built Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children in Jumeirah. 

Created by two British expats – Jeff Price and Nick Watson, it will target children up to 12 years.

Price was inspired by his own experience as a child, when he was hospitalised for a serious illness in the UK at Great Ormond Street Hospital, which has a children’s radio service.

He was later part of the launch line-up for the UAE’s first commercial radio station, Channel 4 FM in 1997 and also helped set up Dubai’s Virgin Radio.

Watson and Price say that one of their first focuses will be live shows with kids in hospital.

Pearl FM’s programming will include an energetic morning show, a show of nursey rhymes for toddlers and babies, followed by a support network for parents. Other shows include the voices of many children in the afternoons along with a bedtime show for kids at 7 pm.