AIR gets global

• 2003-05-05 • The month of February last year saw the launch of All India Radio’s satellite radio channel. Eyeing the NRI market and the Indian music lovers across the globe, AIR sends music over airwaves through satellite to more than 20 nations worldwide, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Singapore, apart from India. AIR is also eyeing the non-resident Indian market in the US and negotiating for space on Ameristar, another WorldSpace satellite.

To receive these radio waves, one needs to buy a separate radio receiver, which costs around Rs. 5,000. With this service AIR will compete with the world leader in digital radio service – WorldSpace.

Since the signals of this service are digitised and compressed, the quality of reception is stereophonic. Satellite radio offers other advantages too. A broadcaster can offer multimedia services such as text and video streaming.

After tasting the success with its satellite channel, AIR plans to phase out the short-wave service and add more satellite channels for the global market. Sources say the Sahara group is also planning a satellite radio channel to be launched by July this year.

It seems while FM channels are fighting to create a market for themselves, digital radio service is taking giant strides to conquer the hearts of Indian radio lovers.

Internet | Mobile Telephony | Satellite Radio

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