SAUDI A GO-GO – UNVEILED
I posted here some time back that Saudi was issuing 4 FM frequencies on a ‘Private basis. Well, you can read about it now.
It takes little imagination to understand the politics (or more like maneuvering) behind this, but the number of folk who asked me how I knew about this and completely dismissed it as my fantasy somewhat belittles my existence. Personally, I think it is the most positive move I have encountered in this area and hopefully will start some sort of avalanche throughout the region. I am not going to say how I knew, but enough to tell you that I know one very savvy guy involved.
Of course, it has yet to be seen just how professional the stations will be – or should we say -’perceived as professional’. I am not sure on this front, because I do know that it could take us by surprise. Like Radio Bahrain’s new offering, nobody expects the likes of the BBC standards because it is just not in the make up of the area. No, not the BBC, not XFM, not KISS, not Virgin (bless them) not anything like you might hear elsewhere. The answer will be; ‘In keeping with the culture and rigid religious framework – what YOU perceive as professional in the West is not what WE perceive here’. That is just clichéd rapport and a ‘believed’ excuse Read more
RADIO SHAMBLES
NEWS-NEWS-NEWS!
I don’t know what makes me think of the legendary King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, when I think of the radio authority in Bahrain and the distribution – or not - of frequencies on this friendly – ‘Ich bin eine Bahraini’ island.
‘Must be the non reality of the legend, the ‘Once upon a time’ , the fantasy of it all, I really don’t know. Whoever can pull “Excrementbur” from the stone, gets to rule for a while; then heroically defends and protects from infidels; then goes out and conquers all around as far afield as Never Neverland. Not without the help of trusty Knight Sir Lebalot though and faithful Queen Notalot. Many battles are glorious and victoriously won without contest, except the very last battle in which they are eventually slain and miraculously buried in a non existent grave in an Abbey which millions visit every year to pay homage. And we all live happily ever after. NOT! Because a new realm of so-called experts pop up and source their cadre from reputed hair dressing salons across the Island and never beyond – and it all starts again – going absolutely nowhere. (To understand this rant if you are from far off places like – er.. Greenland, then you have to read all that goes before – and probably watch a few Youtube videos of Bahraini Parliamentarians complaining about the hiring of a Lebanese barber and friends to run the Radio and Television Corporation.)
FORBIDDEN FRUITS
Still no new ‘independent’ radio yet, but while we wait we can all enjoy the new pastime of………. guessing which half of the world’s web sites have been banned. The ‘UK Lottery’ is one, but it comes and goes. ‘The Bahrain Fair’ got whacked and by the time you complain or explain, the Fair has long gone. Maybe someone on the hill thought they might be selling those Chinese gossamer film hymen kits that squirt a little red dye as she screams ‘OH GOD”!!! Of course, shhh! We know why. There must be a tab that reads; “ABOUT BAHRAIN” and contained within is an innocent description of the lovely people of this sand pile and their leanings. Great for Tourism isn’t it? A corporation, a tour company or whatever, so proudly puts up a web site and a tab; ‘about Bahrain’ and you click on it and there is no content. I have actually seen this on some Government sites and always wondered why it contains um! er! ’nothing’. That in itself leaves stacks of material for the comedians. Where was I? Oh yeah! ‘Debbie Does Duraz’ type highly educational sites are classified just the same way. Even Google Translate at times, so you cannot look up words like ‘imbecile’. There is just nothing one can do.
Granted, as an expat (still), it is not my business, but it affects my business. Besides, I don’t believe it, I KNOW IT… You make something mysterious and more want to know. Banning something is a very very good way to recruit followers.
It gets worse! Orbit Satellite channel is now Showtime and the Showtime Network is now Orbit and now branded under the stunningly creative name ‘OSN’. I bet nobody can guess what that means. Good move MTC (Mobile Telephone Company) to Zain. How this OSN lot managed to persuade those on the hill to sweep and kill millions and millions of IP addresses to ban just one or two, even three naughty boys who give out Dreambox codes. I don’t care what the weirdest of nerd says in its defense; IT SLOWS DOWN OUR INTERNET to a stand still at times. Let alone block zillions of legitimate sites. All because of a bunch of privileged opportunists losing a few dollars of their billions. If OSN gave back to the community, produced quality ‘original’ local material or even financed or nurtured the art in any miniscule way, I and millions of others might have a grain of sympathy. I loathe the BBC, but there is no denying the corporation has contributed to creative arts more than any other. Even if it is the Bombay Broadcasting Company now.
Anyway: Sorry, I got on my soap there. So what else has been happening up on Cedar Hill? Well apart from the Lebanese continuing to “”sell dreams”" to the Gulf Arabs, someone convinced someone higher up to open up an new frequency. They didn’t give it to me, despite my continuous lobbying for 400 years.
YOU SHOW ME YOURS’ AND I’LL SHOW YOU MINE
Funny enough, I heard a good line today from my good Bahraini in-the-know friend and confidant while talking about the Lebanese onslaught. He too, said that they (Lebanese) are somehow brilliant at selling dreams to the Arabs, but then you wake up; outside your house – naked.
I don’t know how much Sir Lebalot had to do with it, but one of the old frequencies which used to carry news feeds is being turned into a pop ‘Youth station’, for launch on February 15th, 2010. Why again I have such thoughts I really cannot fathom, but the quaint old English phrase ‘Honour among thieves’ comes to mind, but obviously takes on a new twist here, since this is all designed to show some action and mainly counteract Group Plus who are the current monopoly running the monopoly. So do we have Sir Lebalot and brethren against brethren, because for sure they have more than a couple of hands in it , but are fronting it as Bahraini.
That is the story today, but how someone can set up a real radio station with ”””new””’ DJ’s and get everything organized in 2 weeks is pretty spectacular, but that is what is happening and they are selling radio advertising space already. By the way, if you are over nine and half years old, you will be banned from listening.
New DJs? From where? They are apparently queuing up and each and every one carefully selected from the crème de la crème of Bahrain’s youth. Except maybe veteran broadcaster, entrepreneur, impresario, pub and Samajam filler, colour blind and clown to all Mr. Krazy Kevin heading up the talent list. Does that mean he will also broadcast on 96.5 Radio Bahrain as well? Two doses of him each day? But hang on, isn’t he or wasn’t he on the Hindi Channel as well?
I wonder, is David Bloomer (he who was snatched in a dingy type yacht, boat sailing thing to entertain the troops in Iran recently) looking for a spinning spot back? With his new found notoriety and his challenging music choice this could be a scoop for the new channel. They will have to contract him and pay him handsomely as all famous stars enjoy, such as Jonathan Roff’ (ex BBC now). So Dave, settle for nothing less than a 3 year contract and a total package of Four Million Lebanese Pounds.
Well, if Kevin goes, Dave will have to fill in and who knows, maybe out Fisher or something.
To the current regime this represents CHANGE!!!!!!!!! There has to be change. It is like the old tasteless wartime concentration camp jokes. “Today is underwear changing day! (Loud cheer). Block 13 will change underwear with block 14″
Ah, I love old Kevin, he never loses his temper and keeps going in among it all and makes five times what I ever did in week, so he knows exactly what he is doing.
Alas, this new station will emulate Radio Sawah it seems, except perhaps the heavier and no doubt more prolific M.Fkr content?
It is going nowhere folks!
THE LONE RANGER (NOT)
Well wonders never cease. I fight for you the public, or at least the public with a gram of sophistication who deserve, demand and wish for better media. I dream of the day when the masses will discern the difference between absolute crap and get what you pay for. I take a lot of criticism and according to some I even take considerable risk in this warm, closed society for there still remains some of the old small time ”I HATE GEG HOPKINS” brigade out there. Those very same people who in their intimidated bigotry created more and more interest in me.
When all is said and done, I do it alone……… or do I? Go here and read this: I have to say that going through Read more