Pan Arab Radio FM stations’ advertising rates far exceed those of local FM stations.

September 14, 2006

The average local FM station’s ad rates has increased from 88 US$ in 2005 to 101 US$ in 2006. Pan Arab average advertising rates supersede both the local and the regional average advertising rates. This could be mainly attributed to the fact that these Pan Arab stations are the only way to target the Saudi Arabian market.

A new report, “An Analysis of FM Radio Advertising Rates in the Arab World 2006” was released to the Arab Advisors Group’s Media Strategic Research Service subscribers on September 05, 2006. This report can be purchased from the Arab Advisors Group for only US$ 950. The 49-page report, which has 69 detailed exhibits, provides a detailed analysis of the FM Radio advertising rates in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Tunisia and the UAE. The countries were chosen to be representative geographically of the Arab World. In addition, the countries analyzed have diverse regulatory frameworks.

The regional average advertising rate represents the mean for a 30 second commercial spot for the countries discussed in the report. There are three peak timings 7:00- 8:00, 13:00- 14:00 and 18:00- 19:00 where the advertising rates are at their highest in the region. Furthermore, the analysis in the report shows that the Pan Arab average advertising rates (especially those broadcasting music and entertainment content) are usually higher mainly due to their regional coverage and the audience targeted. For example MBC Group’s FM stations are the only FM stations that offer advertising targeting Saudi Arabia (the Arab World’s largest consumer market), which is surely a reason for their higher advertising rates.

Any investment in this report will count towards an annual Strategic Research Service subscription should the service be acquired within three months from purchasing the report.

Please contact the Arab Advisors Group to get a copy of the report’s Table of Contents.

“In countries where radio stations are government owned, the corresponding advertising rates are –usually- not as high as radio stations under private ownership” Ms. Lina Juma, Arab Advisors Research Analyst wrote in the report. “Private radio stations tend to have higher advertising rates as they depend more on advertising revenue in order to finance their radio stations.” Ms. Juma added.

The Arab Advisors Group’s team of analysts in the region has produced close to 670 reports on the Arab World’s communications and media markets. The reports can be purchased individually or received through an annual subscription to Arab Advisors Group’s (www.arabadvisors.com) Strategic Research Services (Media and Telecom). To date, Arab Advisors Group has served over 385 global and regional companies by providing reliable research analysis and forecasts of Arab communications markets to these clients.