Downturn has listeners tuning in

The current financial crisis has brought a whole new audience to business news broadcasting, according to the team behind Dubai's top radio show.

Back in 2005, a new station called Dubai Eye 103.8 introduced a little commentary segment called the Business Breakfast. Four years on, and not only has the programme established itself as a full three-hour weekday show, it also recently won the International Radio Conference's Breakfast Show of the Year award. Now the show's team has further reason to celebrate – it is officially the most listened to show in the country.

According to research presented by Ipsos – an independent, survey-based market research company – Dubai Eye 103.8 and its flagship business show attracts 91,000 un-duplicated listeners; thousands more than rival stations BBC World Service, Radio 2 and Coast.

And there is no doubt that the global financial crisis has something to do with this surge in numbers.

Dubai Eye 103.8's Head of Programming, Mathew Johnson, tells Emirates Business: "There is no radio programme like the Business Breakfast in the UAE, and we have witnessed an increase in the number of listeners, especially in the past year. More and more people are gaining an interest in business affairs in the region."

Initially launched in January 2005, Business Breakfast kicked off with Dave Marshall and Richard Dean, and Malcolm Taylor joined later following Marshall's departure after six months.

Former Dubai newspaper editor Brandy Scott joined the show part-time after a chance meeting with Dean. When Dean left in October 2005, Scott and Taylor established themselves as the voices of the show, which is now broadcast every morning from 6am to 9am, covering local, regional and international news, as well as feature interviews.

The duo – who call themselves the "Tom and Jerry" of radio as they are always giving each other a hard time on air – have interviewed everyone from up-and-coming business figures in the region to top international names. Previous guests have included Sultan Ahmed bin

Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, author Alistair Campbell, journalist and author Piers Morgan, Virgin Group Head Sir Richard Branson and property tycoon Donald Trump.

"We offer a real variety of guests on the show," Scott tells us. "You have personalities such as Branson, for example, who frankly people would tune in to listen to even if he was just having breakfast on the show.

"But then we have interviewed personalities from the region – some well-known, and others who have gone to become household names thanks to the media exposure."

Obviously, it is not just the guests on the show that have been attracting more listeners, Scott points out. It is also thanks to more interest in business affairs.

"A year ago, those who would be tuning in to the show would be those who work in business and are decision makers, and have an interest in what is going on in all the markets," she says. "However, thanks to the global financial crisis, business affairs has shifted from becoming business news to actual front page news."

Taylor agrees saying: "Everybody wants to know what is happening with employment, rents... etc. People have a real interest in what is happening with their money. There is simply more interest."

The presenter also believes that it has opened more doors for the duo, especially when it comes to discussing news in the region. "Because the show is now more established, we have been able to get more guests. With more guests, we get quoted a lot more by other news media.

Taylor adds: "There is also a greater openness now when it comes to reporting the news. There is a lot less censorship, which is great, and more people are open to talking about business affairs now."

Producing the show does not come easy though. Both presenters have to be up at 3am to start working on their research for the day. However, Scott says she would not have it any other way.

"Having been in print media for nine years, I fell in love with how radio works. It is easier having people sit with you on-air, and the minute they have said something they cannot really take it back.

"I also love the fact that with guests on radio, you can hear the tone of their voice, whether or not they are trying to avoid questions or if they are being deliberately vague. Listeners have the chance to make up their own mind without you having to tell them what is happening. That is the power of radio."


Q&A Brandy Scott

NAME: Brandy Scott

AGE: 32

NATIONALITY: New Zealander

TIME SPENT IN THE UAE: Nearly 10 years

WHEN I AM not ON RADIO, I LIKE: Sleeping

FAVOURITE RECENT FILM: Gone Baby Gone

TOP THREE ARTISTS: I'm listening to Kings of Leon, Radiohead and My Chemical Romance at the moment

THE ONE GUEST I WOULD LOVE TO INTERVIEW ON BUSINESS BREAKFAST IS: North Korean leader Kim Jong-il


Q&A Malcolm Taylor

NAME: Malcolm Taylor

AGE: 55

NATIONALITY: Nearly British because I have lived all over the place, particularly in the Middle East

TIME SPENT IN THE UAE: 10 years now, but I have also lived all over the Gulf. The first time I came to Dubai was with my parents in 1966

WHEN I AM NOT ON RADIO, I LIKE: Reading and camping in the desert

FAVOURITE RECENT FILM: I'm not a big fan of recent films, I like older classics. I recently saw Metropolis, a 1927 classic

TOP THREE ARTISTS: Soft Machine, Steely Dan and Chick Corea

THE ONE GUEST I WOULD LOVE TO INTERVIEW ON BUSINESS BREAKFAST IS: I would love to interview His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. I would also like to interview UK Business Secretary Peter Mandelson

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