SBS Arabic24 announces new programming lineup 

Dedicated DAB+ digital radio station SBS Arabic24 has announced an updated 2023 programming lineup kicking off today that includes a new weekend morning show and an expanded music show.

The new weekend morning show, Best of SBS Arabic24 – Week in Review will air on Saturdays and Sundays from 6-8am, while the Bayt Al Mazzika music show timeslot will expand to 9-3pm on weekdays with live hosting between noon and 1pm.

These schedule changes are timed with BBC Arabic radio ceasing its linear transmission to develop digital audio content. BBC Arabic radio has been a content partner of SBS Arabic24 since 2016.

“SBS Arabic24 is an important part of SBS’s multilingual services for all Australians. We’re excited to build out our offering for the more than 367,000 Arabic speakers in Australia with a new weekend morning show and almost 120 additional hours of music every week to help entertain, inform and connect,” SBS Director of Audio & Language Content, David Hua.

“BBC Arabic radio has been a valued and trusted content partner of SBS Arabic24 since our launch nearly seven years ago, and we’re using this opportunity to deliver even more SBS-produced content tailored to our multicultural audiences’ needs.”

SBS Arabic24 Executive Producer, Sylva Mezher, said: “Listeners told us they wanted more entertainment throughout the week and a relaxing way to spend their weekend mornings.”

“Our new show The Best of SBS Arabic24 – Week in Review on Saturdays and Sundays from 6-8am will engage and entertain audiences wanting to catch up on the best parts of the week that’s been and enjoy our mix of music covering the latest hits and nostalgic memories.”

In addition to the above programming, Pop Arabi will deliver Arabic music overnights and weekends, with live news bulletins every hour from 6-6pm on weekdays.

“Listeners often tell me that music is their way of maintaining strong cultural connections to their homelands across diverse Arab-speaking communities,” SBS Arabic24 ‘Bayt Al Mazzika’ host, Sanae Ouahib

“Our new show Bayt Al Mazzika Live will bring all the top hits from Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq and beyond, including by Wael Kfoury and Amro Diab, as well as your favourite golden oldies from Feyrouz and Um Kolthoum.”