BBC World Service and Egyptian Radio to co-produce a new programme for learners of English in Egypt

The landmark agreement signed today, Monday 26 September, means for the first time in Egypt, listeners will be able to hear BBC programming via a partner on FM. The one-hour programme will be jointly branded BBC and Egypt Radio and broadcast on two national Egyptian channels: Middle East FM and the Youth & Sport FM, which between them reach over 21m listeners. In addition, it will be carried on the Educational channel. It will be bilingual, in Arabic and English; and bi-media, with content available online at bbcarabic.com as well as on the radio.

Andrew Thompson, Head of BBC Learning English said: "We are very excited to be working with Egypt Radio. English is increasingly the language of international engagement and communication. Millions around the world want to learn it. Through this agreement we will ensure young Egyptians have an opportunity to learn through a programme specially tailored for their needs. We will also be giving our new listeners an opportunity to learn about the British way of life."

The name of the new programme is still to be announced, but the magazine-style content will be produced by a dedicated team working in Cairo and the UK. At its heart is the concept of language as the key to personal and professional growth. It is designed to appeal to a youthful market, mainly students and young professionals who are looking for an interactive and entertaining way to improve and practice their English.

It will explore a variety of themes including English for tourism, information technology (IT), sport, entertainment and cultural exchange. It will also feature drama, Arabic and Western music phone-ins and vocabulary-building and offer audiences lots of interactive opportunities through phone-ins, debates and competitions.