Egyptian Radio

rdf:langString Egyptian Radio

rdf:langString Egyptian Radio also known as the Egyptian Radio's General Program (إذاعة البرنامج العام transliterated as Iza'at El-Bernameg Al-Aam) also popularly known as Radio Cairo (in Arabic إذاعة القاهرة transliterated as Iza'at al Qaahira) is the pioneering Egyptian radio station that started broadcasting on 31 May 1934 in agreement with the Marconi Company. The General Manager of the station for the period was Said Basha Lotfi who presided over the station from May 1934 to December 1947. In December 1947, the contract with Marconi was suspended in favour of an Egyptian national broadcasting station. The General Manager was replaced with Mohammed Beik Qasem presiding from December 1947 until August 1950. The station is known also for its call "This is Cairo" (in Arabic هنا القاهرة pronounced Houna al Qaahira). It is considered the First Program (in Arabic البرنامج الأول) of the ERTU (Egyptian Radio and Television Union). The station had some of the best known Arab broadcasters of their time, including Ahmed Said, Ahmed Salem, Mohammed Fathi, Mohammed Mahmoud Shaaban, Hosney Al-Hadidy, Galal Moawwad, Safiyya Al-Mohamdis and Taher Abu Zeid.