Introduction
The
foreign service of Radio Sultanate of Oman began transmission
on 15th December 1975 from Muscat in English as part of the
main programme for two hours per day (from 13:00 to 15:00).
By 1976 this had increased to six hours per day.
In 1984, a radio transmission of the Foreign Service started
from Salalah on the FM wave at 100 KW broadcast for two hours
which then increased to six hours in 1985. A link was established
in the same year between the FM studios in Muscat and Salalah.
Additional stations were set up in Nizwa, Sur and Buraimi.
In 1988, the transmission hours were increased
to 15 hours per day from 07:00 to 22:00 local time (03:00
to18:00 GMT) on 90.4 MHz from Muscat and Salalah and on 91.3
MHz from Thumrait via FM and other short waves.
The various foreign programmes include areas
of interest such as economics, entertainment, social development
and classical and light music. During the year 2000 the English
language transmission hours reached 5475 p.a. at an average
of 15 hours per day. Local programmes accounted for 2920 hours
or 53.3% of the total hours of transmission with an average
daily rate of eight hours.Imported programmes accounted for
2555 hours or 46.7% at the rate of 7 hours per day.
From November 2001, the hours of transmission
were increased to 17 hours per day (07:00 to 24:00 local time).
Radio Sultanate of Oman Foreign Services began transmitting
its programmes to the world via Arabsat (2a) in April 1999.
Viewers of the Sultanate of Oman television who receive their
transmission from Arabsat (2a) may listen to the English language
FM service programmes. These programmes may be heard through
receiver setting frequency 4140 MHz, audio frequency 7.74
MHz, analogue reception system 26 Deg East.
Radio Sultanate of Oman Foreign Services is exerting its
efforts to promote the image of the Omani community and acquaint
listeners both at local and international levels with the
culture, history and traditions of the Omani people.
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