In mid-March, FM radio legend Byron Cooke announced he would be leaving his role at ARN’s KIIS 101.1.
At the time, there was no reason for his departure from the Melbourne FM station. Cooke only noted he had been presented “an exciting overseas opportunity”.
Cooke’s next move has now been revealed. He is heading to Saudi Arabia to be the host of The Byron Cooke Show.
Cooke’s new radio home will be Saudi Arabia’s MBC LOUD FM, where he will be on air with Sana Kothari. The new breakfast show will be heard on the first English commercial radio station launched by MBC Group.
The Byron Cooke Show, with Sana K will broadcast live on MBC LOUD FM from 6am to 10am Sunday to Thursday, and 10am to 12pm on Saturdays.
So far this year, Cooke has been keeping the Melbourne breakfast seat warm ahead of the arrival of Kyle and Jackie O to KIIS 101.1. His last day on air in Melbourne is tomorrow, Friday 5 April.
Cooke’s first show in Saudi Arabia goes to air on Sunday 28 April. That’s the day before the launch of Kyle and Jackie O into Melbourne.
Alex Agishev, head of content for MBC LOUD FM, stated: “Byron is a world-class personality, with an incredible ability to connect with local audiences, whether it’s through engaging content or live, on-ground broadcasts.
“Sana is an exciting new GCC talent, a prolific content creator and together with Byron, will provide an entertaining start to the day for Saudi Arabia on MBC LOUD FM.”
Byron Cooke
MBC introduces Byron Cooke
Cooke is a winner of the International Radio Personality of the Year Award at the Worldwide Radio Summit (WWRS). He has worked in major markets across Australia, the United Kingdom, and the USA.
Most recently heard on breakfast at KIIS 101.1 in Melbourne, Australia, Cooke has also worked on top-rating shows at 101.9 The Fox Melbourne and across the Hit/Triple M Networks nationally.
His international CV includes a stint on XFM London and Indie 103.1 Los Angeles. Cooke was also involved in the ambitious launch of his own commercial FM radio format in Northern California – the X 103.9 Revolution – in 2006.
Commenting on his signing with MBC LOUD FM, Cooke said: “Saudi Arabia is the world’s fastest-growing expat market and MBC LOUD FM is the Kingdom’s first English commercial radio station. To say I’m excited would be an understatement. I can’t wait to launch The Byron Cooke Show with my co-host Sana Kothari and call Saudi Arabia home. Cue the Ronaldo goal celebrations!”
Sana Kothari
Who is Sana Kothari?
Joining Cooke as co-host on the new show is Sana Kothari. She is an emerging talent who was discovered in a nationwide search to find new radio talent on Virgin Radio in the UAE.
Born and raised in Belgium before living in New York, Paris, and Dubai, her work in media has ranged from digital to print through experiences as a content creator and presenter. Kothari was also a newsreader and reporter for the Arabian Radio Network (ARN).
Speaking of her signing, Sana said: “I’m so excited to be joining the team at MBC LOUD FM and teaming up with Byron to bring a vibrant new sound to the Saudi Radio landscape. I’m looking forward to exploring a new culture, trying every local dish I can find, and adding Arabic to my resume.”
MBC LOUD FM’s current breakfast show, The Daily Wake Up with Jay R and Danah will be moving to the weekday drive time slot from 4pm.
About MBC LOUD
Launched in May 2023, MBC LOUD is Saudi Arabia’s first English commercial radio station.
MBC LOUD caters to the growing under-35 English-speaking expat community with a live and local on-air lineup. It also carries On Air with Ryan Seacrest direct from Hollywood. The station also hosts some of the world’s biggest DJ Shows from Martin Garrix, Showtek and Afrojack.
MBC LOUD is the presenting English station for Saudi Arabia’s biggest events such as Riyadh Season, The Joy Awards. It is the official English broadcaster for the Saudi Pro League which features Christiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
The MBC station can be found via the following frequencies:
Riyadh MBC LOUD FM – 99.0
Jeddah MBC LOUD FM – 94.3
Dammam MBC LOUD FM – 88.5
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