MUMBAI: Last week, the media was abuzz about Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) acquisition of the UAE’s first Hindi/Urdu radio station, Hum 106.2 FM. The move signaled the entertainment major’s foray into the radio business, something which has been speculated about for some time.

However, the company has clarified to the Bombay stock exchange, saying that the Hum 106.2 FM deal is not a takeover.

In a notice issued the BSE over the weekend, ZEEL states that it has set up a step-down subsidiary in Dubai to be in the FM radio business in the name of Zee FM. And, under the agreement it has signed, the radio frequency owned by the emirate of Umm Al Quwain has been leased to the Zee subsidiary effective January 2017 for its radio business.

Umm Al Quwain Broadcasting Network (UBN) which operate Hum 106.2 used the frequency to serve Hindi and Urdu programming to listeners. It redefined drive time and boasted of many celebrity Radio Jockeys. It also went on to popularize live cricket commentary on radio and has a lot of pioneering firsts in the radio business.