After 48 years of being the voice of the Kingdom, Radio Bahrain Company has had a new lease of life thanks to the man in charge, who’s radio ga ga himself, CEO Omar Khalifa Shaheen. In a candid interview with Apple Sharma, he shares his vision for the future of media, his dream guests in the studio and some exciting new plans!

You’ve been at the helm of Radio Bahrain for nearly four years. What inspired you to take on the role and what has been the most rewarding part so far?
I took on the role of CEO of Radio Bahrain – I was a broadcaster, a presenter back in the ‘90s, and the love of music, broadcasting and multimedia actually pulled me back into Radio Bahrain and the restructuring.
I was inspired by the unique opportunity to transform a legacy institution into a modern, dynamic media platform. The most rewarding part has been witnessing our team’s creativity come to life and seeing the renewed connection between Radio Bahrain and its audience.

Radio Bahrain underwent a complete rebrand after nearly 45 years. What was the vision behind it and what was the biggest challenge?
People get used to a certain look and feel and, you know, we are creatures of habit. However, within the restructuring of the new Radio Bahrain, we needed to get down to the grassroots level and build on a fresh new look, so that we could re-engage with Bahrain’s community. The vision was to create a brand that resonates with today’s listeners while respecting our legacy. We wanted to be bold, digital-first and culturally relevant. The biggest challenge was shifting public perception while preserving the station’s trusted identity.

With streaming services and on-demand content becoming increasingly dominant, where do you see traditional radio fitting into the future of media?
It’s a very good question. Radio is not a dying industry, it’s an evolving industry and we are up against Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, Anghami – but the beauty of radio is the localisation, the fact that we can connect with the community and, in particular, Bahrain’s community is very tight-knit and close. So, Radio Bahrain has become a companion, whether it’s for someone in the car, in the gym or at home.
Radio remains powerful due to its immediacy and intimacy. In a media landscape flooded with content, radio offers a curated, human connection that cuts through the noise. It will evolve by integrating with multiple digital platforms while maintaining its core essence.

There’s talk of you launching a new podcast. When does it debut and what can listeners look forward to?
That talk is correct – and I can say, I guess quite exclusively, that we will be launching a new podcast! We will have a fresh brand that will come under the umbrella of Radio Bahrain Company, and we will hopefully be able to share the podcast with you soon.
The podcast arena or landscape is huge, so we have gone through quite a lengthy process and a lot of thought, preparation and effort has gone into finding and forming the right team for very strong, quality content and delivering it in a way that I would feel comfortable with.
We’re planning to launch later this year. Listeners can expect thought-provoking conversations, behind-the-scenes stories from the region and a mix of cultural commentary, music and community that reflects our diverse audience.

From releasing Radio Bahrain’s first limited-edition NFT to now launching a new podcast, what’s next on the horizon?
We’re just getting started. We have some ambitious plans and some of my contemporaries say sometimes it’s a bit too ambitious. In addition to the podcast, we’re looking at hosting live Radio Bahrain events once a year that bring our community together in new ways. We’re also exploring expanding our footprint – potentially with new frequencies or even additional stations – to cater to different tastes and demographics. Also, further down the line, we’ll be looking at having an academy as well, so that the media and broadcasting sector will have structured syllabuses. It’s all part of our mission to grow from a single broadcaster into a multi-platform media brand.

If you could have anyone – past or present – join you in the studio, who would it be and why?
Michael Jackson and George Michael. Michael Jackson is an obvious choice.
He’s someone that I’ve met and worked with, but it would be fascinating to have him here in Radio Bahrain – to spend more time with him in the studio and actually capture the conversation. Also, someone else that’s left us is the legendary George Michael.
Both were not only musical legends but cultural icons who shaped generations. Their artistry, charisma and impact on global music would make for an unforgettable conversation – one that explores creativity, fame and the power of music to connect people. ✤