https://arab.news/njfmd
- Saudi Broadcasting Authority looks back at history of radio in Kingdom
- UNESCO-designated radio day held under theme Radio and Climate Change
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s national broadcaster celebrated World Radio Day on Feb. 13, marking the impact that radio has had throughout the history of the Kingdom.
Designated by UNESCO to mark the anniversary of the first UN radio broadcast in 1946, this year’s World Radio Day was held under the theme “Radio and Climate Change.”
Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harthi, Saudi Broadcasting Authority CEO, spoke to the Saudi Press Agency about the authority’s commitment to radio development, citing its wide reach.
Al-Harthi said that Saudi radio also offered diverse programming, driving continuous development and change.
He explained that Saudi radio’s evolution matched the Kingdom’s social development, serving as a vital channel for knowledge dissemination and keeping citizens informed about local and global developments.
The celebration highlights radio’s enduring role in public communication and recognizes broadcast professionals’ efforts in delivering information while promoting societal dialogue, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Despite technological advances, radio remains one of the most widely used global media forms, reaching diverse communities across all sectors of society.
An estimated 3.1 billion people were radio listeners in 2024, according to Statista Market Insights.
The history of Saudi radio dates back to 1949, when King Abdulaziz authorized the Kingdom’s first broadcasts from Jeddah during the Hajj season.
Initial programming consisted of official announcements, religious content and literary segments, with daily broadcasts limited to three hours.
Today, the broadcasting authority oversees multiple stations including Jeddah Radio, Riyadh Radio, Saudia Radio (English service), Qur’an Radio, Call of Islam Radio, Al-Ekhbariya Radio and Khuzama Radio.
The Saudi International Radio Network, established in 1969, broadcasts in more than ten languages including French, Turkish, Indonesian, Persian, Hindi and Urdu, reflecting the Kingdom’s global outreach.