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AIR holds its own in war of air waves

KOCHI: Even as the fight to conquer the air waves between private FM stations continues unabated over the city skies, a section of radio listeners has stood steadfast in their support to All India Radio (AIR) and its Kochi FM station. Moideenkunju Thrikkakkara, the president of Akhila Kerala Radio Listeners’ Association, and his ilk firmly believe that there is no room for comparison between private radio channels and AIR.

“The private channels have entertainment as their sole theme while Kochi FM provides entertainment and knowledge-based programmes in equal measure,” he says. The advertisement onslaught of private radio stations claiming number one status in popularity notwithstanding, Mr. Moideenkunju believes that the listener base of Kochi FM is more or less intact. “Of course, many of our members do listen to private stations but not at the expense of AIR,” he says.

Though an ardent supporter of AIR, he says that there is no denying that the private FM stations have brought back radio to the daily life.

The likes of Pramod, a private company executive, would vouch for this. “I have stopped using the CD player in my car. What’s the need when there are radio stations transmitting songs round-the-clock?” he asks.

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