Eight presenters go in AMG station closure

TUNED OUT: Hindi radio station Pulse 95.3 played its final song on Sunday.

Dubai government-owned Arab Media Group (AMG) has closed down one of its prime-time radio stations, and axed eight of its on air presenters, it confirmed on Tuesday.

The decision to close Pulse 95.3 FM was made on Sunday after months of problems with the station's frequency, which meant programmes were interrupted and listeners could not always tune into the Dubai-based station.

It had nothing to do with financial issues, said Steve Smith, chief operating officer at Arabian Radio Network (ARN), a part of AMG.  

The move saw eight presenters lose their jobs, however no further station closures or redundancies would be made, Smith told Arabian Business.

"ANR is doing well so it has nothing to do with the economic situation. We allocated eight redundancies in on air roles. The other stations are doing very well," Smith said. 

Pulse 95.3 FM played Hindi classics and Bollywood hits from the 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's, mixed with local and international news.

It was launched about a year ago, aimed at the "discerning" South Asian listener, from the growing community in Dubai.

ARN would be carrying out some research into the Hindi market with the view to launching another Hindi station in the future, Smith added.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Pulse 95.3
Posted by Asif Mohammed, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Tuesday 2 June 2009 at 14:20 UAE time


Pulse 95.3 had the right mix of music and presenters for listeners from the Indian sub-continent and elsewhere.

I really miss the channel even now after so many months. No other channel option has been able to take its place yet.

The reasons may not be technical alone as music is still available on the channel. However even if the frequency did have a clarity problem I am sure in this age that should be something that can be overcome by air/radio engineers and technicians.

Please bring back the team of 95.3 and the exquisite choice of music that it used to serve.

That would be the greatest thing you could do Mr. Smith.

WHY CLOSE 95.3 FM
Posted by ZIA, DUBAI, UAE on Monday 9 March 2009 at 14:07 UAE time


I have been listening to this radio from Day 1. The DJ I miss most is "Ajnabi". Since last two months we have been listening to unintgerrupted hindi songs. So where is the frequency problem?

Please restart Pulse 95.3 FM Station
Posted by ASHFAQ HADI on Friday 6 March 2009 at 20:59 UAE time

Pulse 95.3 Hindi FM Station was undoubtedly the best Hindi FM Radio Station in the UAE. Before, i used to listen to Dubai Eye 103.8 Radio station for the local and international news. However, when Pulse FM was started, i switched over to it as it was very informative radio channel for the local and international news. MY KIND REQUEST TO ARN IS TO RESTART IT. There are many people in the UAE, who will be delighted to have this channel back on air.

Sorry
Posted by vs, Shj, india on Sunday 15 February 2009 at 09:37 UAE time


It was my most fav channel. All DJs were excellent. Pallavi voice i am hearing for years. Hope they will be back on air thro some other channel

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