[HCDX] FM RADIO TO FILL THE AIR ACROSS THE COUNTRY SOON

[Mukesh Kumar <thecosmosclub@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

FM RADIO TO FILL THE AIR ACROSS THE COUNTRY SOON


Radio listeners across the country never had it so
good with about 280 new FM channels in the offing to
air their choices tunes, signalling a revival of the
medium that has been losing to television. 
Seeking a share in the lucrative FM radio pie, media
heavyweights like HT Media Limited, the Anil
Ambani-controlled Adlabs, Times group's Entertainment
Network India Limited (ENIL), South Asia FM, Sun TV
and Radio Mid Day -- a joint venture between BBC and
Mid Day Multimedia -- made aggressive bids for 338
radio stations in 91 cities and towns.
Out of these, about 280 FM channels were successfully
auctioned by the government, which earned a revenue of
Rs 1134 crore. A total of 85 private players, mostly
media companies and some real estate developers, had
been shortlisted for bidding in the second phase
spread over five rounds. 
Malyala Manorama, Dainik Jagran Group, Malar
Publications, Kal Radio, Mathrubhumi, Asianet
Communications, Rajasthan Patrika also emerged as big
players.
The bidders who were unanimous in lauding the
transparent bidding process, expressed robust optimism
of the success of FM Radio.They said FM radio stations
in small cities and towns would not be a problem
because there was no dearth of business in these
places. 
Realising the mistakes of the 'licensing model' of the
First Phase of FM Policy, which was a disaster, the
government had adopted the revenue-sharing model in
the second phase, which attracted a large number of
bidders.
A mere 22 private FM channels were operationalised in
Phase I, and one of these had closed down, citing high
license fee as the reason for unsustainability of its
operation.
The government had earned a sum of only Rs 37 crore
from auction of 29 channels in 2000 as advance fee for
setting up FM stations.
All India Radio (AIR) was then projected to earn Rs
530 crore in the first year from the auction of about
100 FM stations in 40 cities in the first phase with a
15 per cent increase every year, after setting out
with a reserve price of only Rs 75.4 crore. However,
several companies later went to court alleging the
licence fee was too high and the guidelines too rigid.

Via http://news.webindia123.com

Regards & 73?s
Mukesh Kumar
MUZAFFARPUR 
INDIA.



		
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