FM broadcasting in India: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by 112.79.156.3
Last edited February 2, 2026
← Older edit
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
basic adjusted section and fixed typos
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Aspect of radio use since 1977}}
{{Short description|Type of radio broadcasting in India}}
{{multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=December 2012}}
{{update|date=August 2017}}
}}
The '''[[FM broadcasting]] in [[India]]''' began in 1977, but boomed after 2001 when the privatisation of FM broadcasting began.
AIR's FM LRS ( Local Radio Station ) was inaugurated on 1 July 2000 at 06:00 hours in Kodaikanal relaying Madurai programs in the frequency 100.5 MHz. 100.5 was so much popular and LRS was upgraded to a FM Channel in just two months. The channel covered a radius of about 200km due to its location at 2200 meters above MSL at Kodaikanal. KODAI FM, as it is popularly known. It is the biggest individual FM channel in India in both area coverage and listenership.


As of December 2018, there are more than 369 operational private radio stations in more than 101 cities and towns across India.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/Operational%20FM%20rado%20Channels%20city%20wise%20list_0.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=mib.gov.in |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225134639/https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/Operational%20FM%20rado%20Channels%20city%20wise%20list_0.pdf |archive-date=25 December 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Government of India]]-owned [[All India Radio]] has about 450 FM stations covering 39% of the area and 52% of the population of India.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://allindiaradio.gov.in/Oppurtunities/Tenders/Documents/06%20AIR%20STATIONS%20HAVING%20FM%20TRANSMITTERS%20191218.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=allindiaradio.gov.in |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225142952/http://allindiaradio.gov.in/Oppurtunities/Tenders/Documents/06%20AIR%20STATIONS%20HAVING%20FM%20TRANSMITTERS%20191218.pdf |archive-date=25 December 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://allindiaradio.gov.in/Profile/Factss%20at%20Glance/Pages/default.aspx|title=Get Apps &#124; Prasar Bharati}}</ref>
{{multiple issues|{{More citations needed|date=December 2012}}
{{update|date=August 2017}}}}
 
'''FM broadcasting in India''' began in 1977; growing popularity after 2001 when the privatisation of FM broadcasting began. AIR's FM LRS (Local Radio Station) was inaugurated on 1 July 2000 at 06:00 in [[Kodaikanal]] relaying Madurai programs in the frequency 100.5&nbsp;MHz. 100.5 was so popular that LRS was upgraded to an FM Channel in just two months. The channel covered a radius of about {{Convert|200|km|abbr=on}} due to its location at 2200 meters above MSL at Kodaikanal. KODAI FM is popularly known as it is the biggest individual FM channel in India, in both area coverage and listenership.
 
As of December 2018, there are more than 369 operational private radio stations in more than 101 cities and towns across India.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/Operational%20FM%20rado%20Channels%20city%20wise%20list_0.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=mib.gov.in |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225134639/https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/Operational%20FM%20rado%20Channels%20city%20wise%20list_0.pdf |archive-date=25 December 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Government of India]]-owned [[All India Radio]] which has about 470 FM stations covering 92% of the area and 99.19% of the population of India. [[All India Radio|AIR]] originates programming in 23 languages and 179 dialects.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All India Radio {{!}} Prasar Bharati |url=https://prasarbharati.gov.in/all-india-radio-2/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=prasarbharati.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://allindiaradio.gov.in/Oppurtunities/Tenders/Documents/06%20AIR%20STATIONS%20HAVING%20FM%20TRANSMITTERS%20191218.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=allindiaradio.gov.in |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225142952/http://allindiaradio.gov.in/Oppurtunities/Tenders/Documents/06%20AIR%20STATIONS%20HAVING%20FM%20TRANSMITTERS%20191218.pdf |archive-date=25 December 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
FM broadcasting began on 23 July 1977 in [[Chennai]], then Madras, and was expanded during the 1990s, nearly 50 years after it mushroomed in the US.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://allindiaradio.org/milestone.html |title= Mile Stone|website=allindiaradio.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525235547/http://allindiaradio.org/milestone.html |archive-date=May 25, 2012}}</ref> The country first experimented with private [[FM broadcast]]s in the small [[tourist destination]] of [[Goa]] and the large metropolitan areas of [[Delhi]], [[Kolkata]], [[Mumbai]] and [[Chennai]]. These were followed by private stations in [[Bangalore]], [[Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh|Hyderabad]], [[Jaipur]] and [[Lucknow]].
FM broadcasting began on 23 July 1977 in [[Chennai]], then Madras, and was expanded during the 1990s, nearly 50 years after FM broadcasting grew in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://allindiaradio.org/milestone.html |title= Mile Stone|website=allindiaradio.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525235547/http://allindiaradio.org/milestone.html |archive-date=May 25, 2012}}</ref> India first experimented with private [[FM broadcast]]s in [[Goa]] and the large metropolitan areas of [[Delhi]], [[Kolkata]], [[Mumbai]], and [[Chennai]]. These were followed by private stations in [[Bangalore]], [[Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh|Hyderabad]], [[Jaipur]] and [[Lucknow]].


Until 1993, [[All India Radio]], a government undertaking, was the only radio broadcaster in India. The government then decided to privatise the radio broadcasting sector.{{Citation needed|date = July 2015}} It sold airtime blocks on its FM channels in Indore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Vizag and Goa to private operators, who developed their own program content. [[The Times Group]] operated its brand, Times FM, till June 1998. After that, the government decided not to renew contracts given to private operators. Instead, in 2000, the government announced the auction of 108 FM frequencies across India, opening up the FM broadcasting industry to private competition.
Until 1993, [[All India Radio]], a government undertaking, was the only radio broadcaster in India. The government then decided to privatise the radio broadcasting sector.{{Citation needed|date = July 2015}} It sold airtime blocks on its FM channels in [[Indore]], Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, [[Vizag]], and Goa to private operators, who developed their own program content. [[The Times Group]] operated its brand, Times FM, till June 1998. After that, the Indian Government decided not to renew contracts given to private operators. Instead, in 2000, the Indian Government announced the auction of 108 FM frequencies across India, opening up the FM broadcasting industry to private competition.


[[Radio City (Indian radio station)|Radio City]] Bangalore, started on July 3, 2001, is India's first private [https://radioly.app FM radio] station.<ref name="SAGE">{{Cite journal|last=Sen|first=Biswarup|date=26 August 2014|title=A new kind of radio: FM broadcasting in India|journal=Media, Culture & Society|language=en|volume=36|issue=8|pages=1084–1099|doi=10.1177/0163443714544998|s2cid=143785018}}</ref> It launched with presenters such as Vera, Rohit Barker, Seetal Iyer, Jonzie Kurian, Geeta Modgil, Suresh Venkat, and Chaitanya Hegde and Priya Ganapathy on the weekends.<ref>[[Radio City (Indian radio station)]]</ref> [[The Times Group]] rebranded their radio operations, establishing the [[Radio Mirchi]] brand. The first [[Radio Mirchi]] station began broadcasting on October 4, 2001 in [[Indore]].
[[Radio City (Indian radio station)|Radio City]] Bangalore, started on 3 July 2001, is India's first private FM radio station.<ref name="SAGE">{{Cite journal|last=Sen|first=Biswarup|date=26 August 2014|title=A new kind of radio: FM broadcasting in India|journal=Media, Culture & Society|language=en|volume=36|issue=8|pages=1084–1099|doi=10.1177/0163443714544998|s2cid=143785018}}</ref> It launched with presenters such as Vera, Rohit Barker, Seetal Iyer, Jonzie Kurian, Geeta Modgil, Suresh Venkat, and Chaitanya Hegde and Priya Ganapathy on the weekends.<ref>[[Radio City (Indian radio station)]]</ref> [[The Times Group]] rebranded its radio operations, establishing the [[Radio Mirchi]] brand. The first [[Radio Mirchi]] station began broadcasting on October 4, 2001 in [[Indore]].


Indian policy currently states that these broadcasters are assessed a one-time entry fee (OTEF), for a license period of 10 years. Under the Indian accounting system, this amount is amortised over the 10-year period at 10% per annum. The annual license fee for private broadcasters is either 4% of revenue share or 10% of [[Reservation price|reserve price]], whichever is higher.
Indian policy states that the broadcasters are assessed a one-time entry fee (OTEF), for a license period of 10 years. Under the Indian accounting system, this amount is amortised over the 10-year period at 10% per annum. The annual license fee for private broadcasters is either 4% of revenue share or 10% of [[Reservation price|reserve price]], whichever is higher.


India's earlier attempts to privatise its FM channels ran into rough weather when private players bid heavily and most could not meet their commitments to pay the government the amounts they owed.{{Citation needed|date = July 2015}}
India's earlier attempts to privatise its FM channels ran into rough weather when private players bid heavily and most could not meet their commitments to pay the government the amounts they owed.{{Citation needed|date = July 2015}}


== Content ==
== Content ==
Nationally, many of the current FM broadcasters, including the [[Times of India]], [[Hindustan Times]], [[Mid-Day]], and [[BBC]] are established media institutions in the country, and are making a strong pitch for news on FM, which is currently limited to nationalised stations only. Private FM stations are allowed to rebroadcast news from All India Radio, as long as they do so without any changes or additions.<ref>{{cite web | title = Control freakery | publisher =   The Indian Express | date = Oct 19, 2013  | url = http://www.indianexpress.com/news/control-freakery/1184364/ | access-date = Oct 19, 2013 }}</ref> The Supreme Court of India on 17 October 2013 issued a [[public interest litigation]] to the central government requesting that the rules should be changed to allow FM stations to broadcast news reports.<ref>{{cite web
Nationally, many of the current FM broadcasters, including the [[Times of India]], [[Hindustan Times]], [[Mid-Day]], and [[BBC]] are established media institutions in India and are making a strong pitch for news on FM, which is currently limited to nationalized stations only. Private FM stations are allowed to rebroadcast news from All India Radio, as long as they do so without any changes or additions.<ref>{{cite web | title = Control freakery | publisher = The Indian Express | date = Oct 19, 2013  | url = http://www.indianexpress.com/news/control-freakery/1184364/ | access-date = Oct 19, 2013 }}</ref> The Supreme Court of India on 17 October 2013 issued a [[public interest litigation]] to the central government requesting that the rules should be changed to allow FM stations to broadcast news reports.<ref>{{cite web
  |title      = Why not let private radio stations air news?
  |title      = Why not let private radio stations air news?
  |publisher  = Hindustan Times
  |publisher  = Hindustan Times
Line 33: Line 32:


== Radio stations by location ==
== Radio stations by location ==
{{update section|date=December 2018}}
{{update section|date=December 2018}}
{{see also|List of FM radio stations in India}}
{{see also|List of FM radio stations in India}}
Line 72: Line 70:
|-
|-
|[[MY Fm]]
|[[MY Fm]]
|94.3Mhz
|94.3&nbsp;MHz
|Hindi
|Hindi
|-
|-
Line 79: Line 77:
|Hindi English
|Hindi English
|-
|-
|Hit FM
|Hit95 FM
|95.0&nbsp;MHz
|95.0&nbsp;MHz
|Hindi
|Hindi
Line 96: Line 94:
|-
|-
|[[FM Rainbow Lucknow]]
|[[FM Rainbow Lucknow]]
|100.7 MHZ
|100.7&nbsp;MHz
|Hindi
|Hindi
|-
|-
|[[All India Radio JAIPUR]]
|[[All India Radio JAIPUR]]
|101.2 MHZ
|101.2 MHZ
|Hindi
|-
|Amit Bharti
|101.6&nbsp;MHz
|Hindi
|Hindi
|-
|-
Line 108: Line 110:
|-
|-
|[[AIR AlWAR]]
|[[AIR AlWAR]]
|103.1MHZ
|103.1&nbsp;MHz
|Hindi
|Hindi
|-
|-
Line 124: Line 126:
|-
|-
|[[AIR FM Gold|Vividh Bharti]] (''[[All India Radio]]'')
|[[AIR FM Gold|Vividh Bharti]] (''[[All India Radio]]'')
|106.4&nbsp;MHz
|105.4&nbsp;MHz
|Hindi
|Hindi
|-
|-
Line 143: Line 145:
|Hindi
|Hindi
|}
|}
<ref name=":0">
<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=http://trace.bharatiyamobile.com/mobile-fm-radio-stations.php?location= |title=FM Radio Stations in |website=trace.bharatiyamobile.com |access-date=2016-10-31 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.asiawaves.net/india/delhi-radio.htm |title=Delhi Radio Stations on FM, mediumwave and shortwave |website=www.asiawaves.net |access-date=2016-10-31 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://onlineradiofm.org/ |title=Listen FM Radio Stations Online - Radio Mirchi, DevotionalFM Stations|website=www.onlineradiofm.org }}</ref>
{{Cite web|url=http://trace.bharatiyamobile.com/mobile-fm-radio-stations.php?location=|title=FM Radio Stations in|website=trace.bharatiyamobile.com|access-date=2016-10-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.asiawaves.net/india/delhi-radio.htm|title=Delhi Radio Stations on FM, mediumwave and shortwave|website=www.asiawaves.net|access-date=2016-10-31}}</ref>


===Kolkata, West Bengal===
===Kolkata, West Bengal===
Line 151: Line 152:
*[[Community radio|Radio]] [[Jadavpur University|JU]] (90.8&nbsp;MHz, Available within a 5&nbsp;km radius of the University, from 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jaduniv.edu.in/radioju.php|title = Welcome to Jadavpur University website}}</ref>
*[[Community radio|Radio]] [[Jadavpur University|JU]] (90.8&nbsp;MHz, Available within a 5&nbsp;km radius of the University, from 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jaduniv.edu.in/radioju.php|title = Welcome to Jadavpur University website}}</ref>
*[[Community radio|Y FM]] NSHM (91.2&nbsp;MHz, Available within a 10&nbsp;km radius of the institute, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nshm.com/fm-nshm-community-radio/|title = Home}}</ref>
*[[Community radio|Y FM]] NSHM (91.2&nbsp;MHz, Available within a 10&nbsp;km radius of the institute, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nshm.com/fm-nshm-community-radio/|title = Home}}</ref>
*[[Friends FM]] (91.9&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Friends FM]] (91.9&nbsp;MHz) (Bengali, Hindi)
*[[BIG FM 92.7|Big FM]] (92.7&nbsp;MHz)
*[[BIG FM 92.7|Big FM]] (92.7&nbsp;MHz) (Bengali, Hindi)
*[[Red FM (India)|Red FM]] (93.5&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Red FM (India)|Red FM]] (93.5&nbsp;MHz) (Bengali, Hindi)
*[[Radio One (India)|Radio One]] (94.3&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Radio Nasha]] (94.3&nbsp;MHz, formerly Radio One) (Bengali, Hindi)
*[[Radio Mirchi]] (98.3&nbsp;MHz)(Bengali,Hindi)
*[[Radio Mirchi]] (98.3&nbsp;MHz) (Bengali, Hindi)
*[[AIR FM Gold]] (100.1&nbsp;MHz)
*[[AIR FM Gold]] (100.1&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Akashwani Kolkata]] (100.3&nbsp;MHz) (Bengali)
*[[Vividh Bharati|AIR FM Vividh Bharati]] (101.8&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Vividh Bharati|AIR FM Vividh Bharati]] (101.8&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Fever 104 FM]] (104&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Fever 104 FM]] (104&nbsp;MHz) (Bengali, Hindi)
*[[Ishq FM]] (104.8&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Ishq FM]] (104.8&nbsp;MHz) (Bengali, Hindi)
*[[AIR FM Rainbow]] (107&nbsp;MHz)
*[[AIR FM Rainbow]] (107&nbsp;MHz)
{{div col end}}
===Asansol, West Bengal===
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
*[[BIG FM 92.7|Big FM]] (92.7&nbsp;MHz) (Bengali, Hindi)
*[[Red FM (India)|Red FM]] (93.5&nbsp;MHz) (Bengali, Hindi)
*[[Radio Mirchi]] (95.0&nbsp;MHz) (Bengali, Hindi)
===Siliguri, West Bengal===
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
*[[Radio Misty 94.3|Radio Misty]] (94.3&nbsp;MHz) (Bengali, Hindi)
*[[Red FM (India)|Red FM]] (93.5&nbsp;MHz) (Bengali, Hindi)
*[[Radio Mirchi]] (98.3&nbsp;MHz) (Bengali, Hindi)
{{div col end}}
===Bolpur Santiniketan, West Bengal===
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
*[[Akashwani Santiniketan]] (103.1&nbsp;MHz) (Bengali, Hindi)
{{div col end}}
===Suri, West Bengal===
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
*[[Community Radio|Gitanjali Radio]] (90.4&nbsp;MHz Cultural radio station opened in 2024) (Bengali)
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


Line 167: Line 192:
*[[IIT Kanpur]] Radio (90.4&nbsp;MHz)
*[[IIT Kanpur]] Radio (90.4&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Waqt Ki Awaz]] (91.2&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Waqt Ki Awaz]] (91.2&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Big FM (Indian radio station)|Big FM]] (92.7&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Big FM (Indian radio station)|Big FM]] (92.7&nb{{div col end}}sp;MHz)
*[[Red FM (India)|Red FM]] (93.5&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Red FM (India)|Red FM]] (93.5&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Fever 104 FM]] (95.0&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Fever 104 FM]] (95.0&nbsp;MHz)
Line 177: Line 202:
*[[Radio City (Indian radio station)|Radio City]] (104.8&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Radio City (Indian radio station)|Radio City]] (104.8&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Gyan Vani]] (106.4&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Gyan Vani]] (106.4&nbsp;MHz)
*[[AIR FM Gold]] (736 MW)
*[[AIR FM Gold]] (736&nbsp;MW)
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}
=== Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh ===
=== Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh ===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
Line 192: Line 218:
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


=== Jaipur, Rajasthan ===
=== Rajasthan ===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Radio City (Indian radio station)|Radio City]] (91.1&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Radio City (Indian radio station)|Radio City]] (91.1&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Red FM (India)|Red FM]] (93.5&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Red FM (India)|Red FM]] (93.5&nbsp;MHz)
*[[MY FM]] (94.3&nbsp;MHz)
*[https://myfmindia.com/] (94.3&nbsp;MHz)  
*[[Tadka]] (95.0&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Tadka]] (95.0&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Radio Mirchi]] (98.3&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Radio Mirchi]] (98.3&nbsp;MHz)
Line 202: Line 228:
*[[All India Radio]] (100.3&nbsp;MHz)
*[[All India Radio]] (100.3&nbsp;MHz)
*[[All India Radio(Jaipur)]] (101.2&nbsp;MHz)
*[[All India Radio(Jaipur)]] (101.2&nbsp;MHz)
*[[Mirchi Love]] (104.0)
*[[Mirchi Love]] (104.0&nbsp;MHz)
*[[89.6 FM Sikar]] (89.6 MHz)
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


Line 219: Line 246:
*Radio Nazariya - 107.8 FM (Drishti)
*Radio Nazariya - 107.8 FM (Drishti)
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}
*[[Big Fm]] - 92.7


===Hyderabad===
===Hyderabad===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Name
!Name
!Frequency
!Frequency (MHz)
!Language
!Language
|-
|-
Line 235: Line 262:
|[[Telugu language|Telugu]]
|[[Telugu language|Telugu]]
|-
|-
|[[Big 92.7 FM (Just for fun)]]:) .  (:
|[[Big 92.7 FM]]
|92.7
|92.7
|Telugu/Hindi
|Telugu/Hindi
Line 256: Line 283:
|-
|-
|[[All India Radio]] (AIR / AIR / Twin Cities FM Rainbow)
|[[All India Radio]] (AIR / AIR / Twin Cities FM Rainbow)
|143.3
|101.9
 
|Telugu
|Telugu
|-
|-
Line 324: Line 350:
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


===Chennai, Tamil Nadu<ref name=":0" />===
===Chennai, Tamil Nadu===
 
Source:<ref name=":0" />
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*AIR FM - RAINBOW 101.4 Multilingual
*AIR FM - RAINBOW 101.4 Multilingual
Line 332: Line 360:
*[[Suryan FM |Suryan FM 93.5]], Tamil
*[[Suryan FM |Suryan FM 93.5]], Tamil
*[[Fever 104 FM|Fever FM 91.9]], Tamil
*[[Fever 104 FM|Fever FM 91.9]], Tamil
*[[BIG FM 92.7]],Tamil
*[[BIG FM 92.7]], Tamil
*[[Radio City (Indian Radio Station)|Radio City FM 91.1]], Tamil
*[[Radio City (Indian Radio Station)|Radio City FM 91.1]], Tamil
*[[Radio Mirchi |Radio Mirchi FM 98.3]], Tamil
*[[Radio Mirchi |Radio Mirchi FM 98.3]], Tamil
Line 345: Line 373:
*Radio Macfast FM 90.4, [[Thiruvalla]]
*Radio Macfast FM 90.4, [[Thiruvalla]]
*AIR Real FM 103.6 in [[Kozhikode]]
*AIR Real FM 103.6 in [[Kozhikode]]
*Best FM 95.00 in [[Thrissur]] & [[Kannur]]
*Radio Mirchi 104.00 in [[Kochi]]
*[[Radio Mango 91.9]], in [[Kochi]], [[Thrissur]], [[Kozhikode]] & [[Kannur]] & 92.7 in Alappuzha
*[[Radio Mango 91.9]], in [[Kochi]], [[Thrissur]], [[Kozhikode]] & [[Kannur]] & 92.7 in [[Alappuzha]]
*[[Red FM 93.5]] in [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kochi]], [[Kozhikode]] & [[Kannur]]  
*[[Red FM 93.5]] in [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kochi]], [[Kozhikode]] & [[Kannur]] & Red FM 95 in [[Thrissur]]
* Red FM 91.1 in [[Thrissur]]
*[[Club FM 94.3]] in [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kochi]] & [[Kannur]] & Club FM 104.8 in [[Alappuzha]], [[Thrissur]] & [[Kozhikode]]
*[[Club FM 94.3]] in [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kochi]] & [[Kannur]] ;
*[[94.3 Club FM|Club FM]] 104.8 [[Alappuzha]]
* Club FM 104.8 in [[Thrissur]] & [[Kozhikode]]
*[[Radio Mirchi]] 98.3 in [[Thiruvananthapuram]],
*[[Radio Mirchi]] 98.3 in [[Thiruvananthapuram]],
*[[BIG FM 92.7]] in Thiruvananthapuram
*[[BIG FM 92.7]] in Thiruvananthapuram
Line 365: Line 390:
*Radio Media Village [[Changanacherry]] FM 90.8
*Radio Media Village [[Changanacherry]] FM 90.8
*[[Global Radio 91.2 FM]] [[Alappuzha]]
*[[Global Radio 91.2 FM]] [[Alappuzha]]
*[[Radio Mirchi]] 104 [[Kochi]]
*[[Radio Neythal 107.8 FM]] [[Alappuzha]]
*[[Radio Neythal]] 90.8 FM [[Alappuzha]]
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


== Market view ==
== Market view, Jaipur ==
Traditionally, radio accounts for 7% to 8% of advertiser expenditures around the world. In India, it is less than 2% at present.{{Citation needed|date=March 2007}}
Traditionally, radio accounts for 7% to 8% of advertiser expenditures around the world. In India, it is less than 2% at present.{{Citation needed|date=March 2007}}


Line 375: Line 399:


List of FM Stations in Jaipur:
List of FM Stations in Jaipur:
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
:1. 94.3 MY FM (Listenership; 18 lacs plus)
# 91.1 Radio City (Listenership; 2.8 lacs plus)
:2. 98.3 Radio Mirchi (Listenership; 12 lacs plus)
# 98.3 Radio Mirchi (Listenership; 10 lacs plus)
:3. 104 Mirchi Love (Listenership; 10 lacs plus)
# 93.5 Red FM (Listenership; 9.5 lacs plus)
:4. 93.5 Red FM (Listenership; 8.6 lacs plus)
# 95 Tadka (Listenership; 4.3 lacs plus)
:5. 91.1 Radio City (Listenership; 6 lacs plus)
# 94.3 MY FM (Listenership; 18 lacs plus)
:6. 95 Tadka (Listenership; 1.4 lacs plus)
 
{{div col end}}


== Current allocation process ==
== Current allocation process ==

Latest revision as of 21:56, 2 February 2026


FM broadcasting in India began in 1977; growing popularity after 2001 when the privatisation of FM broadcasting began. AIR's FM LRS (Local Radio Station) was inaugurated on 1 July 2000 at 06:00 in Kodaikanal relaying Madurai programs in the frequency 100.5 MHz. 100.5 was so popular that LRS was upgraded to an FM Channel in just two months. The channel covered a radius of about 200 km (120 mi) due to its location at 2200 meters above MSL at Kodaikanal. KODAI FM is popularly known as it is the biggest individual FM channel in India, in both area coverage and listenership.

As of December 2018, there are more than 369 operational private radio stations in more than 101 cities and towns across India.[1] The Government of India-owned All India Radio which has about 470 FM stations covering 92% of the area and 99.19% of the population of India. AIR originates programming in 23 languages and 179 dialects.[2][3]

History[edit | edit source]

FM broadcasting began on 23 July 1977 in Chennai, then Madras, and was expanded during the 1990s, nearly 50 years after FM broadcasting grew in the United States.[4] India first experimented with private FM broadcasts in Goa and the large metropolitan areas of Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai. These were followed by private stations in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Lucknow.

Until 1993, All India Radio, a government undertaking, was the only radio broadcaster in India. The government then decided to privatise the radio broadcasting sector.[citation needed] It sold airtime blocks on its FM channels in Indore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Vizag, and Goa to private operators, who developed their own program content. The Times Group operated its brand, Times FM, till June 1998. After that, the Indian Government decided not to renew contracts given to private operators. Instead, in 2000, the Indian Government announced the auction of 108 FM frequencies across India, opening up the FM broadcasting industry to private competition.

Radio City Bangalore, started on 3 July 2001, is India's first private FM radio station.[5] It launched with presenters such as Vera, Rohit Barker, Seetal Iyer, Jonzie Kurian, Geeta Modgil, Suresh Venkat, and Chaitanya Hegde and Priya Ganapathy on the weekends.[6] The Times Group rebranded its radio operations, establishing the Radio Mirchi brand. The first Radio Mirchi station began broadcasting on October 4, 2001 in Indore.

Indian policy states that the broadcasters are assessed a one-time entry fee (OTEF), for a license period of 10 years. Under the Indian accounting system, this amount is amortised over the 10-year period at 10% per annum. The annual license fee for private broadcasters is either 4% of revenue share or 10% of reserve price, whichever is higher.

India's earlier attempts to privatise its FM channels ran into rough weather when private players bid heavily and most could not meet their commitments to pay the government the amounts they owed.[citation needed]

Content[edit | edit source]

Nationally, many of the current FM broadcasters, including the Times of India, Hindustan Times, Mid-Day, and BBC are established media institutions in India and are making a strong pitch for news on FM, which is currently limited to nationalized stations only. Private FM stations are allowed to rebroadcast news from All India Radio, as long as they do so without any changes or additions.[7] The Supreme Court of India on 17 October 2013 issued a public interest litigation to the central government requesting that the rules should be changed to allow FM stations to broadcast news reports.[8]

Radio stations by location[edit | edit source]

See also: List of FM radio stations in India

National Capital Region[edit | edit source]

Name Frequency Language
Radio Jamia (see Jamia Millia Islamia) 90.4 MHz Multilingual
RADIO 7 90.4 MHZ Hindi
Delhi University Community Radio 90.4 MHz Multilingual
Radio SD 90.8 90.8 MHz Hindi
Radio City 91.1 MHz Multilingual
Big FM 92.7 MHz Multilingual
Red FM 93.5 MHz Multilingual
MY Fm 94.3 MHz Hindi
Radio One 94.3 MHz Hindi English
Hit95 FM 95.0 MHz Hindi
Apna Radio (Indian Institute of Mass Communication) 96.9 MHz Multilingual
Radio Mirchi 98.3 MHz Multilingual
AIR FM Gold 100.1 MHz Multilingual
FM Rainbow Lucknow 100.7 MHz Hindi
All India Radio JAIPUR 101.2 MHZ Hindi
Amit Bharti 101.6 MHz Hindi
AIR FM Rainbow 102.6 MHz Hindi
AIR AlWAR 103.1 MHz Hindi
Fever 104 104.0 MHz Hindi
104.8 Ishq 104.8 MHz Hindi
Gyan Vani 105.6 MHz Hindi
Vividh Bharti (All India Radio) 105.4 MHz Hindi
Radio Nasha 107.2 MHz Hindi
Sawai Madhopur FM 101.5 MHz Hindi
Noida FM 107.4 MHz Hindi
Gurgaon Ki Awaz 107.8 MHz Hindi

[9][10][11]

Kolkata, West Bengal[edit | edit source]

Asansol, West Bengal[edit | edit source]

Siliguri, West Bengal[edit | edit source]

Bolpur Santiniketan, West Bengal[edit | edit source]

Suri, West Bengal[edit | edit source]

  • Gitanjali Radio (90.4 MHz Cultural radio station opened in 2024) (Bengali)

Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh[edit | edit source]

sp;MHz)
  • Red FM (93.5 MHz)
  • Fever 104 FM (95.0 MHz)
  • Radio Mirchi (98.3 MHz)
  • AIR FM Rainbow (102.2 MHz)
  • Vividh Bharati (103.7 MHz)
  • Mirchi Love (91.9 MHz)
  • News Channel English (105.6 MHz)
  • Radio City (104.8 MHz)
  • Gyan Vani (106.4 MHz)
  • AIR FM Gold (736 MW)

    • Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh[edit | edit source]

    Rajasthan[edit | edit source]

    Ahmedabad, Gujarat[edit | edit source]

    • Radio Mirchi - 98.3 FM (Times Group)
    • My FM - 94.3 FM D B Corp Ltd.
    • Red FM - 93.5 FM (Sun Group
    • Radio City - 91.1 FM (Music Broadcast Limited)
    • Radio One - 95.0 FM (Only Bollywood Retro Station of Ahmedabad)
    • AIR Vividh Bharati - 96.7 FM (All India Radio)
    • Micavaani - 90.4 FM (Mudra Institute of Communications)
    • AIR Gyan Vaani - 105.4 FM (All India Radio)
    • Mirchi Love - 104 FM (Times Group)
    • All India radio - 100.1 FM
    • Radio Nazariya - 107.8 FM (Drishti)

    Hyderabad[edit | edit source]

    Name Frequency (MHz) Language
    Bol 90.4 FM 90.4 Multilingual
    Radio City 91.1 Telugu
    Big 92.7 FM 92.7 Telugu/Hindi
    Red FM 93.5 Telugu
    Fever Fm 94.3 Hindi
    Mirchi 95 95 Hindi
    Radio Mirchi 98.3 Telugu
    All India Radio (AIR / AIR / Twin Cities FM Rainbow) 101.9 Telugu
    All India Radio (AIR / AIR / Vvd Bharti) 102.8 Hindi
    Kool 104 104 English
    Gyan Vani 105.6 Hindi
    Magic Fm 106.4 Telugu
    Radio Charminar 107.8 Telugu/Hindi
    Deccan Radio 107.8 Hindi

    Mumbai, Maharashtra[edit | edit source]

    Bengaluru, Karnataka[edit | edit source]

    Chennai, Tamil Nadu[edit | edit source]

    Source:[9]

    Kerala state[edit | edit source]

    Market view, Jaipur[edit | edit source]

    Traditionally, radio accounts for 7% to 8% of advertiser expenditures around the world. In India, it is less than 2% at present.[citation needed]

    The ministry of broadcasting in India is setting up more (86) FM Radio to all parts of India by March 2017.[16]

    List of FM Stations in Jaipur:

    1. 94.3 MY FM (Listenership; 18 lacs plus)
    2. 98.3 Radio Mirchi (Listenership; 12 lacs plus)
    3. 104 Mirchi Love (Listenership; 10 lacs plus)
    4. 93.5 Red FM (Listenership; 8.6 lacs plus)
    5. 91.1 Radio City (Listenership; 6 lacs plus)
    6. 95 Tadka (Listenership; 1.4 lacs plus)

    Current allocation process[edit | edit source]

    In FM Phase II — the latest round of the long-delayed opening up of private FM in India — some 338 frequencies were offered of which about 237 were sold.[citation needed]

    References[edit | edit source]

    1. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). mib.gov.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
    2. ↑ "All India Radio | Prasar Bharati". prasarbharati.gov.in. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
    3. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). allindiaradio.gov.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
    4. ↑ "Mile Stone". allindiaradio.org. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012.
    5. ↑ Sen, Biswarup (26 August 2014). "A new kind of radio: FM broadcasting in India". Media, Culture & Society. 36 (8): 1084–1099. doi:10.1177/0163443714544998. S2CID 143785018.
    6. ↑ Radio City (Indian radio station)
    7. ↑ "Control freakery". The Indian Express. Oct 19, 2013. Retrieved Oct 19, 2013.
    8. ↑ "Why not let private radio stations air news?". Hindustan Times. October 17, 2013. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
    9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "FM Radio Stations in". trace.bharatiyamobile.com. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
    10. ↑ "Delhi Radio Stations on FM, mediumwave and shortwave". www.asiawaves.net. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
    11. ↑ "Listen FM Radio Stations Online - Radio Mirchi, DevotionalFM Stations". www.onlineradiofm.org.
    12. ↑ "Community Media: SRFTI 90.4 F.M., Kolkata, West Bengal | profile by CommunityVoices.in".
    13. ↑ "Welcome to Jadavpur University website".
    14. ↑ "Home".
    15. ↑ "Tune into Radio Mirchi 95 FM for the latest Bollywood music | Bengaluru News - Times of India". The Times of India.
    16. ↑ "86 new AIR stations to come up by March 2017".

    Template:Audio broadcasting

    Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=FM_broadcasting_in_India&oldid=454478"
    Discover more