The Gulf Arab emirate of Abu Dhabi is to get its first Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) station.

Pravasi Bharathi 810 AM is due to begin broadcasting in May 2014.

It will cater to the Keralite community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other GCC countries.

The station says it aims to intensify competition among the already crowded Malayalam radio scene in the UAE.

“We are planning a different approach to broadcasting, with 50 per cent infotainment and forty per cent information, offering offer 24-hour news bulletins and breaking news,” Chandra Senan, Managing Director and General Manager told Emirates24/7.com.

Pravasi Bharathi Radio 810 AM will reach listeners in Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE and Saudi Arabia.

It is a part of the newly formed Pravasi Bharathi Corporation Abu Dhabi, with a US$5.2 million (AED 19 million) investment.

DRM allows higher quality broadcasts on AM and shortwave bands but requires listeners to upgrade to DRM radios.