Kerala - Kochi   

Making a splash in the air

The Direct to Home (DTH) technology has provided a dozen channels of All India Radio with the opportunity to broadcast in the DTH mode.

The radio is making a splash all over again. The favourite medium of millions is all set to redeem its past glory with the opening up of the broadcast sector. Several private FM channels are making waves in the metros. Tuning in to FM has become a way of life for urbanites, especially during their arduous drive along the roads. Presenting music interspersed with informative and innovative programmes is an art. It is here that channels vie with one another to woo the listeners.

The Direct to Home (DTH) technology has provided a dozen channels of All India Radio with the opportunity to broadcast in the DTH mode. Although Tamil, Telugu and Kannada figure among the DTH radio channels, no slot has been allotted to Malayalam in the band.

The demand for satellite radio has risen with the launching of Worldspace, the 24-hour satellite radio programme. It is a subscription based broadcasting system, which is available on special receivers. The Worldspace receivers are now available in Kochi. The company has set up an office also in the city.

At present, Worldspace offers over 40 radio stations, including Malayalam (RM Radio), Tamil (KL Radio) and Telugu (Spandana). The range varies from Jazz to classical to evergreen Hindi film songs. There are two stations devoted to Indian classical music— Shruti (Carnatic) and Gandharv (Hindustani). Stations for news, sports and information are also on offer.

Says Deepak Varma, Managing Director, Worldspace India Private Limited: "Satellite radio is acknowledged as one of the fastest growing entertainment media. You are buying a mood, not music, when you subscribe to Worldspace."

Unlike the music played on the cassette or the CD players, the range available on the Worldspace radio is so wide and varied that the listener can switch over to any mood of his choice in a split second. Apart from original content, there are select contents from noted branded broadcasters such as BBC, CNN and NDTV.

The DTH broadcasting channels and Worldspace have contributed to the popularity of radio. It will be music to the ears when the private FMs launch in Kochi.

R. Ramabhadran Pillai

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