Media Radio News
The Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Authority (TDSAT) has ordered private FM radio players, in eight cases, to pay up their licence fees for four months.
In the broadcasting sector, some key policy matters have been left half done. Now, it’s up to the new government to take them forward. According to sources in the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry, the significant issues on which work has been initiated but no decision taken yet, include allowing funds from foreign institutional investors (FIIs) in the print media and in TV channels, with reference to news and current affairs.
Sumantro Dutta, COO, Radio City observes a potential future for the Indian radio industry. Once the license fee imbroglio is sorted out, within two years, the industry would attract at least five per cent of the total adspends, he says.
Government has initiated action on encashing the bank guarantees of private FM radio players in Mumbai, for failing to pay up their annual licence fee by the due date. While licencees in Delhi and Chennai have a stay against government encashing the bank guarantees, Mumbai players don’t have any legal protection.
Pushed into a corner by a spate of court cases, government is contemplating ways to emerge victorious out of the FM radio licence fee imbroglio. There are several options before the government to penalise the defaulters.
The Election Commission sees violation of the electoral code of conduct in extending the deadline for payment of FM radio licence fee. The FM radio matter was taken up by the EC on Wednesday, when the I&B ministry referred it to the election watchdog.
A 6 ft-by-6 ft card wishing Radio Mirchi on its first anniversary greets visitors at the radio station's office on the busy Anna Salai here. The red-and-green styled wall leading up to the main office is decorated with more such fan mails, an indication of what Chennai station head Mr G. Sharath Chandra calls the most significant aspect of the one-year on air: audience involvement.
Indian radio industry is facing the problem of research deficiency. Addressing the need radio stations are coming up with commissioned studies. Experts, however argue on the credibility and transparency of commissioned studies.
The telecom regulator will intervene in the radio revolt being stirred by the country’s private FM service providers. It will recommend that defaulters pay their dues to the government in easy installments and migrate into a revenue sharing arrangement as suggested by Ficci’s Amit Mitra.
In the midst of elections, finance minister Jaswant Singh has refused to play referee over the FM radio licence issue. Mr Singh has tossed the matter back to information and broadcasting (I&B) minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Radio Mirchi is celebrating. And the weekend marks a special anniversary for Pune, marking two years of its presence in the city. May 2 also means the completion of a year in Kolkata. The station has put together programming to ensure that listeners equally participate in the celebrations.
The standoff between the private FM radio companies and the government over the payment of licence fee continues with the government not taking any decision on the issue. According to senior government officials, the government has not received licence fee from any FM radio companies till yesterday. The deadline for the payment expired yesterday.
Radio licence fee strikes blood yet again with Win 94.6 FM going off air. Officials uncertain about industry future, observes immediate need for beefing up revenue front.
Even as Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM, owned by Entertainment Network (India) Limited, turns one on April 29, a Mirchi band will take the celebrations beyond the radio, to the streets of Delhi, along with Mirchi stilt walkers, Mirchi fire-eaters and Mirchi jugglers
Win 94.6, Mumbai’s leading radio station is scheduled to go off air, due to the regulatory framework and deep rooted financial troubles. The station would cease broadcasting, from April 29th 2004, post 11 am. Industry sources state that they were informed of the decision, on April 27th evening, through a communiqué via e-mail.
Private FM radio samurais don’t want to pay up the Rs 110 crore they owe the government. They expect the new government to take a lenient view of their dues. Bureaucrats at the ministry for information and broadcasting are in no mood to oblige. They refuse to be lenient and be accused of favouritism by the Election Commission or the next government.
Radio Advertising emerged as an independent mould, with the first ever awards for excellence in radio advertising ‘Mirchi Kaan Awards’ held on April 23rd 2004 at the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai. The evening saw stalwarts from the media and advertising fraternity, coming together on a common platform in order to back the Kaan awards initiative, which aimed at recognizing hidden talent within the sphere of radio advertising.
GO 92.5 FM joins hands with CRY to launch GO Cares. Different celebrities will host the weekly programme. It aims to focus on making lives of Mumbai’s underprivileged children better.
HT promotes Brunch on Times-promoted Radio Mirchi. The archrivals claim it’s business. But it leaves a hint: isn’t it avowing one-upon rivalry? Or is it a mutual move to keep up the competition at the top of the mind? Read on.
For a radio station is the most important to know the pulse of the people. For a successful jockey, all that matters is ready wit and the flexibility to deal with different listeners.
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