Mirchi One

About Mirchi One

Mirchi One is a Hindi-language Bollywood radio station broadcasting from Doha, Qatar, on 89.6 FM. Launched on 1 November 2017 as One FM — one of four private stations licensed in Qatar's 2017 opening of commercial radio, alongside SUNO 91.7, Radio Olive 106.3 and Malayalam 98.6 — it was co-branded as Mirchi One in 2020 through a management agreement with ENIL (Entertainment Network India Ltd), the operator of India's Radio Mirchi. Its tagline is "Qatar ki dhadkan" — the heartbeat of Qatar.

The Opening of Private Radio in Qatar

Until 2017, Qatar's airwaves were dominated by the state broadcaster. That year, the Ministry of Culture and Sports licensed four private stations: SUNO 91.7 (Malayalam), Radio Olive 106.3 (Hindi), One 89.6 (Hindi/Bollywood) and Malayalam 98.6. The 1 November 2017 launch — inaugurated by the Minister of Culture and Sports — opened commercial radio in Qatar, giving the country's vast South Asian community stations in its own languages.

One FM: Qatar's Heartbeat

One FM launched as a Hindi Bollywood station on 89.6 FM, targeting the Indian expatriate community — around 25% of Qatar's population, part of the 60% South Asian majority. The format was Bollywood hits, entertainment and community programming, with the tagline "Qatar ki dhadkan."

The Mirchi Deal

In 2020, One FM entered a management agreement with ENIL (Entertainment Network India Ltd), India's largest private FM operator and the company behind Radio Mirchi. The frequency is owned by Marhaba FM; operations are managed by ENIL, with the Mirchi brand licensed through the GENL joint venture. Seven RJs were recruited from Radio Mirchi India — including Anup Chugh — bringing the Mirchi presentation style to Doha. The co-branded station became Mirchi One. (The deal echoed ENIL's UAE re-entry via Mirchi 102.4 FM.)

Programming

Mirchi One carries the signature Mirchi shows — Mirchi Murga, the prank-call comedy; What the Farhan; Club Mirchi, the dance-music show — alongside Bollywood hits and community content for Qatar's Indian diaspora. The presentation style is pure Radio Mirchi: high-energy, interactive, Bollywood-obsessed.

The Audience

South Asians form around 60% of Qatar's population, with Indians at roughly 25% — the single largest nationality. For this community, Mirchi One is the sound of home: Bollywood music, Hindi banter and the familiar Mirchi voices, transplanted from Mumbai to Doha.

The Mirchi Brand

Radio Mirchi launched in 2001 as India's first private FM station, growing to 63 cities and 73 frequencies. Owned by the Times Group, its tagline is "Mirchi Sunnewaale Always Khush!" — Mirchi listeners are always happy. The Qatar co-branding extends that empire to the Gulf, giving the Mirchi brand a Doha outpost.

Digital and Streaming

The station streams online, with the Mirchi digital platforms extending its reach. The brand's Indian digital infrastructure — apps, podcasts, social media — gives Mirchi One a digital footprint far beyond the 89.6 FM signal.

Position in Qatar's Media Landscape

Within Qatar, Mirchi One is the Bollywood position on the dial — the Hindi entertainment station with India's biggest radio brand behind it. Alongside Radio Olive (Hindi, 106.3) and Radio Suno (Malayalam, 91.7), it serves the Indian community that forms the backbone of Qatar's expatriate workforce. As a co-branded venture between Qatari frequency ownership and Indian radio expertise, it is a model of Gulf-South Asia media collaboration.

Facts

• Launched: 1 November 2017 (as One FM; co-branded Mirchi One in 2020)
• Owner: Marhaba FM (frequency); operated by ENIL (Entertainment Network India Ltd)
• Brand: Licensed from Radio Mirchi (Times Group, India) via GENL joint venture
• Headquarters: Doha, Qatar
• Language: Hindi
• Frequency: 89.6 FM (Doha)
• Format: Bollywood hits, entertainment, community programming
• Tagline: "Qatar ki dhadkan" (the heartbeat of Qatar)
• Signature shows: Mirchi Murga, What the Farhan, Club Mirchi
• Coverage: Qatar; worldwide via streaming
• Official website: https://mirchi.in