Catering to the UAE

People are key to meeting the demands of the diverse audience, says steve Johnston, Head of Programming, GNB
His day starts at 5am. He accompanies you at breakfast and plays the perfect host for four hours each morning. As head of programming for GNB, Steve Johnston is synonymous with the Classic Breakfast show and Time Machine - programmes that have people hooked to Radio 1 and 2.

"Both radio stations cover the whole of the UAE. We are probably the only English-speaking stations to do so," said Johnston.

At both stations, audience interactivity is promoted via short text messages and phone calls. "We encourage audience participation throughout the day. The listener can get directly through to the presenter, which is very important to both parties involved," said Johnston.

The multicultural audience line-up demands a diverse programming schedule - a key reason why Johnston feels it is important to employ the right personnel. Focus groups and a very experienced head of music contribute to a smooth workflow.

"Although we are an English-speaking channel, we are not just aimed at a limited audience. The UAE is a multicultural society and that is reflected in our callers and listeners," he said.

According to Johnston, radio functions as an independent body. "Radio is a part of daily life especially here in the UAE. We accompany people in their cars, at home and at work as more and more people are listening online," he said.

It helps that GNB has the best state-of-the-art studios in the UAE.

Radio is an integral part of most of our lives. For Johnston, it's being part of a large family called Gulf News. "Gulf News has given the stations the stability they never had," he said.