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Satellite radio's gu-gu, ga-ga
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Satellite Radio provides newer alternatives, both in terms of technology and range.
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AFTER THE licensing schemes launched in 1995 allowed private players to operate FM stations through the "highest bidder" technique, many big and small FM stations have sprung up in the major metros. Though, many of these stations have been taken over by major media groups such as Times and Star TV, the advent of private FM has surely created a buzz, and kicked off what is being seen as a rebirth of radio. If we are to believe the trend watchers, 2004 is the year when a hot new technology, literally— boots radio into another global league and extends its reach in a way never envisaged before.
How does a technology that allows listeners to choose from around 30 different genres of music and news, sound? Satellite Radio does exactly that. Working on the satellite-to-receiver principle, the technology enables listeners to listen to the same range of radio stations, whichever part of the world you are in.
The US is just getting a feel of the satellite-based radio — thanks to two providers: XM Radio and Sirius, but interestingly, the same company that created XM, tested the technology in India and Africa even two years ago- under the avatar WorldSpace, which is why Indian listeners have something of a global head start here.
As of now, WorldSpace offers about 30 stations in India. These stations range from popular news channels such as BBC and CNN to music channels catering to unique genres of music such as Reggae, Retro, and Latino music. Apart from this, purely Indian channels like the Bangalore-based Radio Indigo that plays non-stop Rock and R&B music, Gandharv that plays Retro Hindi music and regional channels like VRG, which plays Tamil music and RM radio that plays Malayalam music add to the wide range of listening options. The interesting thing about satellite radio is the fact that the quality and type of music is consistent throughout the day and night. While all this may sound attractive, it is not entirely free: There are two types of costs involved - one being the cost of the special receiver,
and two, the charges for receiving certain stations. The cost of the receiver depends on the mode of usage and quality desired by you. Currently a range of receivers is available from BPL starting from Rs. 3,000, but we hear other models as well as brands are on the way, which might make Sat-Radio more affordable to its prime target in India - the young and musically restless. Many of the
channels are free — including most news resources. If you are interested in just popular and rock music, you just might end up paying nothing, but if you want particular narrow genres of music, it may require a small yearly subscription charge — around Rs.1,000. Basically, you have an antenna in your terrace pointing towards the direction of the particular satellite and a wire running from the antenna to the receiver, ensuring an unbeatable sound clarity.
"To pay or not to pay, is the question!" When it comes to cost-effectiveness and localisation, there is nothing like the free-to-air FM stations, but a mature music fan who wants to concentrate on genres of his or her choice would definitely prefer Satellite Radio to FM radio. Are you one? It's the right time to figure out!
A. VISHNU
vishnua@hotmail.com
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
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