Karnataka - Mangalore   

AIR proposes another channel

Jaideep Shenoy

The Mangalore station is becoming increasingly popular with its listeners

MANGALORE: With a steady increase in its listeners' base, All India Radio (AIR) station here is toying with the idea of an additional channel to complement its existing frequency modulation (FM) channel. The station authorities here have forwarded a proposal to this effect to the Prasar Bharathi and are optimistic about their chances. The station director of AIR Mangalore Vasanth Kumar Perla told The Hindu that the station is becoming popular with its listeners, thanks to a variety of programmes being broadcast on FM mode. "We have for long felt the need for a second channel in addition to our existing FM channel so that we can cater to the varied interests of our listeners," he said.

Mandatory relays

Speaking on the reasons for the proposal, Mr. Perla said that more often than not the station has to accommodate certain mandatory relays as directed by controlling centres either in Bangalore or New Delhi. "This leaves us in a situation where we are forced to either cancel or defer our programme schedule which leaves our listeners disappointed," he said.

Clearance

"If Prasar Bharathi authorities clear our proposal and grant us an additional channel, either in FM mode or Medium Wave mode, we can accommodate all these mandatory relays alongside our routine broadcasting schedule. This will give us flexibility in catering to not only our listeners, but also the local sponsors, who have sponsored certain programmes of local interest," he added.

Virtual studio

He attributes the surge of interest in programmes by the station to technological advancements, which has made it possible even for smaller stations to produce quality programmes. "We have a fully computerised Virtual Studio here. This enables us to record, edit, dub, mix, produce and finally broadcast a highly qualitative programme," he said.

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