BBC World Service is cutting FM services in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, June 30.

Citing FM radio as a cost inefficient way to broadcast radio, Abu Dhabi residents will still be able to listen to the BBC online, via satellite and short-wave radio or by downloading the BBC Arabic app.

The station has broadcast in Abu Dhabi since 2003.

Francesca Unsworth, director of the BBC World Service Group, said in a blog post that the number of radio listeners had increased from 2014 levels, and it’s “too soon to talk about the demise of radio”.

“Radio will continue to be an integral part of our service for decades to come,” she wrote. “Or perhaps I should say ‘audio’ instead because more and more people are indicating that they listen via podcasts or streaming online, a trend I’m sure will continue to grow.”

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