Muscat: Shabab Radio will celebrate tomorrow 23 years since the launch of its broadcast on 23 July 2003, continuing its media journey as the first specialized Arabic-language FM radio station in the Sultanate of Oman.
According to Oman News Agency, it has become one of the most listened-to radio stations in the Sultanate of Oman, featuring a voice that keeps pace with changes and remains close to the new interests of youth through a modern style and renewed content. Since its inception, Shabab Radio has paid special attention to the issues of Omani youth, stemming from its belief in their pivotal role in the path of construction and development, and embodying the care given by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman to this segment as the primary pillar for the country's future, in alignment with the targets of Oman Vision 2040, which places youth at the core of its priorities.
Over the course of 23 years, the radio station has sought to be a media platform close to the youth, expressing their aspirations, tracking their interests, and discussing their issues through diverse media content encompassing cultural, social, sports, artistic, and economic programs. It has also been keen to highlight the energy, achievements, and creativity of Omani youth in various fields, opening avenues for them to interact and participate over the airwaves and across various social media platforms, alongside keeping pace with key national events and keeping the listener at the heart of the national scene.
On this occasion, Yousuf Humaid Al Yousifi, Director General of the Directorate General of Radio Oman, said: "The celebration of 23 years since the launch of Shabab Radio represents an important milestone to recall a rich media journey full of giving and achievement, during which the station managed to solidify its position as the radio platform closest to Omani youth, and to deliver media content reflecting their interests and aspirations while highlighting their abilities, potential, and creativity in various fields."
Al Yousifi pointed out that "the successes achieved by the radio station came as a result of the continuous efforts exerted by the successive young national cadres who worked in it," emphasizing that Shabab Radio has maintained its brilliance, renewal, and standing among listeners, remaining one of the most prominent listened-to media platforms in the Sultanate of Oman through its refined and renewed media content that meets its audience's expectations.
He stressed that the radio station is moving forward in developing its media message, keeping pace with rapid transformations in the media and communication sector, and utilizing modern technologies and digital platforms to enhance its presence and reach various segments of Omani youth, thereby contributing to consolidating its media and national role and making it closer to its audience in various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman.
Al Yousifi affirmed that the Ministry of Information continues its constant support for Shabab Radio, enhancing its ability to perform its media mission and ensuring its continued delivery of qualitative content that aligns with youth aspirations and supports Oman's renewed renaissance under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.
Shabab Radio reinforces its presence on various national occasions and events through live coverage, field reports, and special programs. These have included national occasions, official visits, exhibitions, forums, the Khareef Dhofar Season, the Muscat International Book Fair, National Day celebrations, various sports and cultural events, and other events across the Sultanate of Oman.
The number of media interviews conducted by the radio station exceeded 850 in 2025, reflecting its field presence and role in conveying events to listeners wherever they are. During the same year, Shabab Radio produced 40 programs-26 live programs and 14 recorded ones-ranging across morning, cultural, technical, sports, artistic, and social shows. Broadcast hours for live programs reached 3,022.75 hours across 1,363 episodes, alongside 569 episodes for recorded programs, reflecting the volume of programming and production work delivered by the station throughout the year.
Established programs such as "Sabah Al Shabab" (Youth Morning), "Sawt Al Shabab" (Voice of Youth), and "Studio 5" continue to keep pace with daily events and highlight youth initiatives, innovation, culture, arts, and sports, ensuring the radio station remains present in everything that matters to listeners and youth.
The development journey has not been limited to program content on Shabab Radio, but extended to digital platforms and social media, as Shabab Radio continues to enhance its engagement with its audience across various platforms and produce content suited to modern listening patterns, in line with digital transformation and keeping pace with the evolving aspirations and interests of youth.
It is worth noting that Shabab Radio began its broadcast at a rate of 11 hours daily, starting from 1:00 PM until midnight, before the broadcasting rate rose in 2008 to 18 hours daily, and then transitioned to broadcasting around the clock starting from 1 January 2014.
Today, after 23 years of continuous broadcasting, Shabab Radio continues its contribution, relying on the trust of its audience and on a media vision that places youth at the heart of its interests, believing that radio is not merely an airwave frequency, but a platform that creates dialogue, embraces creativity, and accompanies a generation building the future of the Sultanate of Oman.