May 06, 2007
OK, she that knows it all when it comes to radio in the UAE.
In a word, NO you can't just start up your own radio station. As the regulations currently stand, a radio station must be under the Government of one of the Emirates i.e. owned by one of the Sheiks.
Example: Radio 1&2 (operated by Gulf News) owned by EMI, Abu Dhabi Government, Dubai 92/Dubai Eye/City FM run by ARN/DRN owned by Dubai Government, Channel 4/Radio 4 owned by Ajman Government etc etc.
Emirates Media owned by Abu Dhabi Government own all the frequencies, and they very very rarely sell them off these days, you need to know someone high up and have several million dirhams to buy a frequency.
The majority of frequencies have already been allocated to various Governments and they're just sitting on them for the time being.
I know several people who're looking at launching stations, they're all very well connected with loads of dosh and yet even they can't get frequencies. The market will deregulate in time, to allow privately run stations, but for now it's a no go.
Internet radio would be your best bet, although you have to be aware of copyright regulations etc etc etc.