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CASABLANCA, Morocco — Radio Mars, a Casablanca-based station launched in September 2009, has become a national reference point for football fans in Morocco. With 95% of its programming dedicated to sports, it operates under the strategic direction of Hicham El Khlifi and the technical supervision of Francis Marion. The station employs 47 staff members, works with 10 consultants and coordinates with 25 correspondents across the nation.
In a nation often described as having “37 million coaches,” football unites Moroccans. This passion is reinforced by the government’s investment in youth development and a major talent pipeline supported by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.
Morocco is also hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations later this year and continues to push for future World Cup appearances.
Significant FM reach
Francis Marion, a French engineer with 20 years of experience in Casablanca and a background including RFM, Europe 2, Lagardère, RFI and Morocco’s RTM, joined Radio Mars in 2010. He has since overseen the station’s technical evolution and robust broadcast setup.
“Radio Mars covers the top-flight and second-tier national leagues, while also spotlighting the rise of women’s football,” Marion said. “With round-the-clock programming, including live weekend commentary from stadiums, talk shows and news updates, the station maintains a close connection with its audience.” Its 25 correspondents can report simultaneously from major matches, especially valuable during derbies and national or international events. Online, Radio Mars registers 10 million listens per month, with 65% of that audience coming from the Moroccan diaspora in 143 countries.
To ensure national coverage, Radio Mars uses a network of 34 FM transmitters. Some reach up to 100 kilometers, with a range of around 80 kilometers in Casablanca. Distribution to these sites is handled via satellite uplink, delivering the signal to regional and local transmitters.
Marion, alongside specialized contractors, personally oversees the configuration and maintenance of transmission sites to ensure consistent, high-quality broadcasting.
AoIP at the station’s heart
Radio Mars recently migrated to Wheatstone’s WheatNet IP audio-over-IP platform, a project managed by French systems integrator Save Diffusion. The upgrade coincided with the station’s relocation and was designed to support independent management of two program streams — FM and online, each with its own ad playout.
Using programmable buttons on GSX 16-fader IP consoles, either studio can simultaneously or independently broadcast both streams, complete with separate ad blocks. In the master control room, a Tieline Merlin Plus codec also integrates with WheatNet IP, allowing dynamic sharing of streams between studios.
On the ground, field teams use Tieline ViA codecs and the Report-IT mobile app, which was particularly useful during the COVID-19 lockdowns when presenters had to broadcast from home. Production, scheduling and playout are handled via the WinMedia automation suite, which Save Diffusion also integrated.
The station has also added a live video layer with PTZ Panasonic cameras in each control room, managed via Blackmagic Atem systems. It is preparing to expand with more cameras for an enhanced, immersive experience. Three mobile cameras support live video of outdoor broadcasts streamed online.
Marion’s 30-year relationship with Save Diffusion has been central to Radio Mars’ technical development. “During the recent cabling project — 8 kilometers of cable across four floors — the team managed a precise network installation and setup,” he said. Thanks to careful training and planning, the station’s on-air launch in its new home on March 24 went smoothly — a successful conclusion to a year-long project.
With this advanced infrastructure, Radio Mars continues to blend sports passion with technical innovation, delivering a modern listening experience that resonates at home and abroad.
The author has worked in the radio industry for over 30 years. She has held posts as both a producer and presenter for French stations, such as Radio Notre Dame and Radio France’s France Culture. In addition to being involved with academic research and EU consulting in Brussels, she specializes in print journalism.
This story originally appeared in the September/October 2025 edition of RedTech Magazine
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