IBC Amsterdam, Digital Radio Mondiale ci riprova con l'India: annunciato un nuovo ricevitore consumer

Bisogna riconoscere al consorzio internazionale che promuove lo standard Digital Radio Mondiale una grande abnegazione nel perseguire un obiettivo - la "numerizzazione" della radiofonia in modulazione di ampiezza - che da un punto di vista commerciale e anche tecnologico, appare sempre più irraggiungibile. All'IBC di Amsterdam in questi giorni il consorzio ha presentato un nuovo modello di ricevitore DRM/AM/FM portatile e a costo contenuto (non si sa esattamente quale, perché il ricevitore, contrariamente a quanto annunciato dal comunicato, non si trova ancora sul sito indiano di Amazon). Il principale target commerciale del ricevitore è l'India, dove continua l'installazione di nuovi trasmettitori in onde medie di nuova generazione, già in grado di essere commutati sul DRM30 se solo ci fosse una audience in grado di sintonizzarsi sulle trasmissioni senza complicati adattatori interfacciati col computer. Recentemente si è svolta a Kolkata la cerimonia di inaugurazione del nuovo impianto onde medie di All India Radio. Un impiato DRM-ready, ma l'ente radiofonico è stao costretto a precisare che «due to non-availability of DRM receiver at affordable price, this new transmitter will transmit audio in analog mode for the time being. However, the transmitter can be switched over to simulcast mode or pure DRM mode at any moment.»

Il ricevitore a un affordable price potrebbe essere questo Avion AV-DR-1401 della Communications Systems descritto in dettaglio sul sito Avion Electronics ("the future is arriving", once again viene da dire)? Secondo la corrispondenza pubblicata dall'ottimo Davide Moro su Radioworld, entro l'anno il costruttore promette un primo lotto di mille apparecchi, seguiti nel 2016 da una seconda "salva" di produzione, molto più consistente. Non credo sia necessario ricordare al consorzio i principali dati demografici relativi all'India... Ancora una volta tra l'altro siamo in presenza di un apparecchio compatibile con l'FM analogica, mentre non ci sono tracce di un dispositivo realmente consumer orientato alla ricezione della versione DRM+ dello standard, quella che secondo il consorzio dovrebbe consentire la digitalizzazione nello spettro dell'FM analogica. 

L'aspetto esteriore del 1401 mi sembra leggermente meno grezzo e giocattoloso rispetto ai tentativi coreani di qualche anno fa, anche se si avverte chiaramente un'idea di design estranea ai grandi circuiti, persino a quelli low cost dell'industria cinese. Sull'ergonomia, con il tastierino messo di sghembo e staccabile, quasi replicare un telecomando tv, non posso ovviamente esprimermi, ma non intuisco niente di buono. Speriamo di poter organizzare presto qualche prova...

Ecco le specifiche riportate sul sito (non ho al momento informazioni sui chipset utilizzati) e qui c'è il testo del comunicato stampa:

• 3.5” tft lcd
• 320 by 480 resolution
• Stereo speakers & headphones
• FM: 87.5-108 mhz
• DRM / AM: SW 2.3-27 mhz
• DRM / AM: MW 522-1720 khz
• adjustable tuning speed
• adjustable mw step 9/10 khz
• DRM AFS
• MPEG audio signal
• digital audio output
• built-in li-pol rechargeable battery
• 3.7 @ 6000 mah battery
• 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack
• SDcard slot
• DRM audio input AAC+
• external antenna jack 3.5mm
• speaker size: 3.5” 4 ohms 3w
• detachable remote control
• 10 hour battery backup
• dc in 5v 1000ma
• DRM / AM /FM stereo reception
• MW / SW / FM band
• DRM journaline data
• DRM scrolling text
• DRM program recording
• auto scan & manual tuning
• DRM emergency warning
• unicode character support
• 100 station memory
• music / photos playback from sd card
• multiple language support
• realtime clock
• mot slideshow
• service mode
• DRM audio codec XHE-AAC (by Fraunhofer IIS) 

Prasar Bharati (All India Radio) rinuncia ai piani per una migrazione digitale in DRM

Un durissimo colpo alle prospettive della tecnologia di diffusione di radio digitale DRM sulle frequenze delle onde medie e corte viene dall'India, la grande nazione che in questi ultimi anni ha investito molto in nuovi impianti trasmissivi DRM-ready e che (come del resto la Russia, prima che quest'ultima optasse per un sostanziale smantellamento della infrastruttura LF-MF-HF) avrebbe dovuto affrontare una estesa migrazione al digitale con sue emittenti radio regionali. 

In una intervista al Business Standard Jawhar Sircar, il capo di "All India Radio" (il nome ufficiale dell'ente radiotelevisivo pubblico è in realtà è Prasar Bharati), ha dichiarato che da oggi la sua organizzazione punterà tutto su una combinazione di onde medie analogiche in FM. Le nuove infrastrutture in FM verranno finanziati con i fondi risparmiati con l'abbandono del DRM, una scelta che era stata fatta sei anni fa, ha dichiarato Sircar, ma che si è rivelata sbagliata. «Allora un ricevitore costava 10 mila rupie, oggi ne costa 5.000, fuori dalla portata di qualsiasi indiano». Anche il satellite digitale di Worldspace - la fallimentare avventura del finanziere sudanese-etiope Noah Samara - non ha avuto successo, ha aggiunto Sircar, nonostante che il prezzo dei ricevitori fosse molto più basso (in India Worldspace ha continuato a operare, fino al 2010, anche dopo la bancarotta della casamadre 1Worldspace, avvenuta nel 2008). Il parere di Sircar è abbastanza esplicito: «So, all the silly targets being made within Prasar Bharati or even in the ministry would require a re-examination before we push any target», ha dichiarato il CEO di Prasar Bharati.

Ormai è del tutto evidente che le residue speranze di rilanciare questa tecnologia su larga scala risiedono nelle sperimentazioni del DRM+, lo stesso tipo di modulazione adattato alle esigenze delle frequenze dell'FM. Se l'industria dell'elettronica dovesse crederci, non è neppure da escludere che l'interesse di nazioni come l'India e la Russia non si debba anch'esso risvegliare ma per il momento è tutto troppo abbozzato per potersi sbilanciare. A parte qualche annuncio relativo a chipset sul cui rendimento e sulla fattibilità in volume non sappiamo ancora nulla, all'orizzonte non c'è praticamente nulla in materia di nuovi ricevitori DRM+ (se si esclude un possibile nuovo apparecchio della cinese ChengDu NewStar e un annuncio dell'altra cinese Tecsun). Ogni mese che passa, tuttavia, va contro l'ipotesi di una modalità di digitalizzazione della radio basata sulla migrazione a modulazioni diverse dal DAB e più in generale contro il concetto stesso di broadcast digitale, ormai in aperto scontro con le possibilità di broad- e narrowcasting basate su protocollo IP. Se il DRM oggi vuole rappresentare una seria alternativa (o una efficace complementarietà) al DAB per la digitalizzazione dell'FM, deve fare molto in fretta.

Digital Radio Mondiale: India digitale nel 2017?

L'ente pubblico indiano, All India Radio, ha annunciato in occasione del salone specializzato BES a New Delhi ambiziosissimi piani per la digitalizzazione dei propri servizi. Entro il 2017 la radio pubblica indiana vuole essere completamente digitale nei suoi studi e nel sistema di distribuzione (e fin qui ci siamo), ma pensa anche di digitalizzare le trasmissioni con il DRM e il DRM+. Pochi giorni fa AIR ha fatto sapere di avere ordinato da Thomson (ma da oggi dovremo scrivere Technicolor visto che la conglomerata francese ha deciso di ribrandizzarsi con il marchio della sua sussidiaria cinematografica americana) due nuovi trasmettitori da un megawatt per le onde medie, entrambi in grado di uscire in AM analogica o in DRM. Entro due anni ci dovrebbero essere emissioni digitali da 76 frequenze in onde medie, nove in onde corte e 64 in FM. Nell'arco dei successivi quattro anni tutto passerà al digitale.
Queste notizie sono apparse sui siti del consorzio Digital Radio Mondiale e su Radio World. Entrambe sono sponsorizzate dai produtto di trasmettitori. Non credo di aver mai visto niente di più irrealistico. Al momento l'industria non è assolutamente in grado di far seguire una digitalizzazione tanto massiccia con un numero adeguato di ricevitori digitali. Che possa esserlo nel 2013, la prima "scadenza" che All India Radio si sarebbe fissata mi pare altrettanto assurdo. Vorrei proprio sapere che ne pensa il Parlamento indiano. Andando a curiosare in giro ho trovato delle dichiarazioni della ministra delle comunicazioni Ambika Soni, che enfatizza la data del 2017 soprattutto per lo switchover dell'ente televisivo Doordarshan, quindi in un contesto televisivo (dove i terminale utente ci sono). Nelle varie dichiarazioni riportate dai giornali indiani ci si lamenta che i ricevitori radio digitali oggi "costano" troppo (15 mila rupie). Vorrei però che qualcuno dicesse che i ricevitori DRM semplicemente non esistono, non sono neanche lontanamente sufficienti a coprire il fabbisogno potenziale di un bacino di ascolto di un miliardo di persone. La risposta classica a questi dubbi è che è solo questione di domanda. Che l'industria dei componenti e dei terminali risponderà quando le trasmissioni digitali stimoleranno la domanda. Ma il DRM non il DVB terrestre, i tentativi di realizzare componentistica e sistemi di ricezione per il mercato di massa sono tutti clamorosamente falliti. Proprio in India c'è stato un esempio di flop molto istruttivo. Analog Devices India avrebbe dovuto fornire il silicio per ricevitori DRM cinesi che non si sono mai visti. Ormai sono sette, otto anni che leggiamo solo annunci e anche l'ultima generazione di chip, molto promettente, si è chiaramente scontrata con barriere tecnologiche (costruire software defined radio non è facile) e commerciali.
In una parola, il Digital Radio Mondiale è una bufala digitale che non ha nessuna speranza, al momento, di imitare il successo dell'industria digitale del telefonino. In preparazione per il World Mobile Congress di Barcellona sono stato a un incontro stampa con Ericsson l'altro giorno. I fornitori tecnologici si stanno preparando ad affrontare il problema dell'adeguamento alla larga banda mobile di cinque milioni di base station nel mondo, alle quali si affiancheranno altre centinaia di migliaia di base station proprio in nazioni come l'India. Ericsson ha fatto l'esempio di un operatore indiano che ha 80, dicesi ottanta milioni di abbonati. Gli operatori di telefonia non sono molto ricchi in questo momento, ma stiamo parlando di miliardi di persone che possono acquistare senza decine di milioni di telefonini "smart" capaci di usufruire di servizi a banda larga tra cui la radiofonia digitale. Centinaia di milioni di telefonini montano chip che integrano la ricezione della radio FM. E' evidente a tutti che il futuro della radiofonia sta proprio in questo, in una combinazione sempre più stretta di radio digitale da infrastrutture Internet/cellulari e radio analogica FM stereo di buona qualità grazie efficace regolamentazione dello spettro (l'India a questo proposito insegna con una politica di incentivazione dell'FM che ha portato alla creazione di migliaia di stazioni commerciali e comunitarie) e componentistica DSP per una demodulazione molto efficiente dei segnali. Io capisco che società come Thompson debbano trovare il modo di liberarsi di una montagna di fuffa tecnologica obsoleta, ma c'è un limite anche alla peggiore credulità. Dovrebbero piantarla di prenderci per dei deficienti.

All India Radio confirms order for two Megawatt DRM MW transmitters

New Delhi, 3 Feb 2010: India’s national broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) has placed an order for the supply of two 1000 kilowatt DRM capable medium wave transmitters. These will replace old analogue transmitters of same capacity at Chinsurah (West Bengal) and Rajkot (Gujrat), with state-of-the-art solid state transmitters.
The new Megawatt transmitters can be operated in analogue, in simulcast or in DRM mode with automatic change-over between these three operational modes. The transmitters shall provide coverage to very large areas in the Indian sub-continent as well to the West, North, East and Southeast Asia.
This significant purchase was revealed at the recently concluded Broadcast Engineering Society (BES) India’s conference in New Delhi, attended by exhibitors and participants from all over the world. The need for cheaper digital radio sets and content innovation was highlighted by speakers during the event.
All India Radio has already chosen DRM as the technology for converting its vast analogue network to digital. This is part of its digital radio switchover strategy where more than 40 transmitters are to be made DRM capable in the near future. AIR is already broadcasting in DRM from one of its high-power shortwave transmitter located at Khampur near Delhi that covers an area of approximately 800 kilometre radius.
The DRM Consortium is delighted with this development which underlines the commitment made by India to new technology in general and the DRM standard in particular.

About DRM and DRM+
Digital Radio MondialeTM (DRM) is the universal, openly standardised digital broadcasting system for all broadcasting frequencies up to 174MHz, including LW, MW, SW, band I and II (FM band). DRM provides digital sound quality and the ease-of-use that comes from digital radio, combined with a wealth of enhanced features: Surround Sound, Journaline text information, Slideshow, EPG, and data services. DRM on short, medium and long wave for broadcasting bands up to 30 MHz (called 'DRM30') provides large coverage areas and low power consumption. The enhancement of the DRM standard for broadcast frequencies above 30 MHz ('DRM+') uses the same audio coding, data services, multiplexing and signaling schemes as DRM30 but introduces an additional transmission mode optimized for those bands.

***

AIR Pushes Toward 2017 Date With DRM
02.03.2010

At the recent BES Expo 2010 in New Delhi, All India Radio outlined its “Road to Digitization” and confirmed an order for two 1 megawatt DRM-capable medium-wave transmitters.
AIR is aiming for a 2017 digitization of its operations, including digitization of studios and studio-transmitter links, as well as of transmissions using DRM and DRM+ technologies.
The two new transmitters will replace aging analog megawatt medium-wave transmitters in Chinsurah, West Bengal, and Rajkot, Gujarat. Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Ltd. (BECIL) is handling the installation, according to tender award documents posted by All India Radio.
Alokesh Gupta reports on his RadioActivity blog that the transmitters in question are Thomson S7HP units.
According to the DRM Consortium, AIR is already broadcasting in DRM from a high-power shortwave transmitter at Khampur near Delhi.
During the BES Expo, AIR conducted DRM multicast demonstration broadcasts, airing two different services on 6100 kHz simultaneously.
AIR is aiming to have 76 medium-wave, nine shortwave and 64 FM transmitters digitized by 2013, with the remaining transmitters in its network digitized by 2017.

***

DD, AIR services to be fully digitised by 2017

The digital mode offers many advantages like efficient utilisation of available spectrum, better quality of picture and services

Published on 01/29/2010 -
New Delhi: The complete digitalisation of broadcasting services of Doordarshan, All India Radio and cable services is planned for a complete switchover by 2017.
Inaugurating the BES EXPO 2010, the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni emphasised that the government is committed to digitalisation of Doordarshan network to improve the viewing experience.
“While India has yet not declared any date for complete migration, it is now being increasingly felt that by 2017 we should aim for complete switchover”, Soni added.
The official broadcaster for Commonwealth Games 2010, Doordarshan has already installed High Definition Television, she added.
The digital mode offers many advantages like efficient utilisation of available spectrum, better quality of picture and services, interactive and niche services. It also helps in bringing transparency.
Acknowledging technology as the growth driver for many innovations in broadcast sector, the Minister urged the broadcasters to ensure that fruits of new technology actually reach the consumer.
Convergence in technology has to fast become a reality and broadcast engineers must play a crucial role in guiding the best possible options in the carriage of the content to the public, she added.
The ministry is also giving a serious thought to devise suitable policies for mobile television. On the FM front, the ministry is planning to incentivize the introduction of FM radio services in the North Eastern States, Jammu and Kashmir and island territories. The ministry is further liberalising the regulatory framework to provide for greater diversity of content and bring down operational costs.
The government is in the process of finalizing the FM Phase-III policy soon. The ministry is also hoping to set up around 4,000 community radio stations in the next three years.
The 3 day international expo and conference proposes to discuss topical issues such as ‘innovative technologies for coverage of Commonwealth Games, HDTV and beyond; new technologies for Digital TV and Radio; and frequency spectrum related issues under the theme of broadcast regulatory issues’.
—iGovernment Bureau

Le parole di Martin Luther King sulle orme del Mahatma

Nel febbraio del 1959, Martin Luther King, il pastore battista che insieme a Gandhi ha simboleggiato, nel nostro tempo, la capacità di affermare un principio di eguaglianza universale attraverso la non violenza (nel caso di King attraverso la predicazione evangelica, una predicazione concreta) si recò in India con sua moglie Coretta per "studiare" i luoghi percorsi dal Mahatma.

Alla fine di questo viaggio, King volle esprimere "una o due generalizzazioni" a proposito di una nazione così vasta e per sua stessa ammissione non facile da conoscere. L'audio di queste brevi dichiarazioni, raccolte da All India Radio, è stato ritrovato oggi e l'ambasciata indiana della Washington di Barak Obama lo ha reso pubblico, annunciando tra l'altro che prossimamente il figlio maggiore di King, Martin Luther III, si recherà in India, insiema ad alcuni membri del Congresso americano a musicisti famosi e attivisti dei diritti umani (che incredibilmente hanno ancora bisogno di attivisti), per ricordare e forse rinnovare la spinta scaturita dalle parole pronunciate, tanto tempo fa, da suo padre e da Gandhi.
C'è un momento molto particolare di questa registrazione storica (nella trascrizione che segue qui sotto il comunicato stampa) in cui King parla di Abraham Lincoln, ucciso da un colpo d'arma di fuoco, proprio come Gandhi e - dice King - per lo stesso "crimine": aver voluto sanare le ferite di una nazione divisa". Meno di dieci anni dopo anche il pastore King sarebbe stato ucciso in circostanze quasi identiche, circondato da amici e sostenitori, per aver commesso lo stesso crimine. Ma le sue parole, trasmesse dalla radio, non sono andate completamente disperse e suonano terribili in questi giorni: today we no longer have a choice between violence and non-violence; it is either non-violence, or non-existence.

Press Release on the rediscovery of rare 1959 Radio Broadcast by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A few days before the Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Holiday in the U.S., researchers in India have rediscovered an electrifying message that Dr. King taped at the conclusion of his historic 1959 visit. The message underscored the legendary civil rights leader’s intellectual debt to Mahatma Gandhi and foreshadowed Dr. King’s deep commitment to “nonviolent resistance” in the civil rights movement yet to come.
The legendary American civil rights leader, assassinated in 1968, would have been 80 this month.
The message, found by the staff of All India Radio, is a rare historical document. “Since being in India,” Dr. King said, “I am more convinced than ever before that the method of non-violent resistance is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for justice and human dignity.”
Speaking at the height of the Cold War, Dr. King’s message called for universal military disarmament and warned of war’s growing threat to human civilization. “Today we no longer have a choice between violence and non-violence,” he said. “It is either non-violence or non-existence.”
In February, 1959, Dr. King and Coretta Scott King traveled in India in search of the roots of the nonviolent social action movement which led to Indian independence -- studying Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals and meeting his followers around the country. Upon return to the United States, the civil rights movement led by Dr. King and others helped transform American race relations, drawing on Gandhi’s philosophy.
A delegation led by Martin Luther King III, with planned participation by members of Congress, legendary musicians and other distinguished Americans, will meet with counterparts in India next month to underscore the enduring importance of these two great leaders.

***

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Radio Address to India, All India Radio March, 1959

Leaders in and out of government, organizations, particularly the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi and the Quaker Center, and many homes and families have done their utmost to make our short stay both pleasant and instructive. We have learned a lot. We are not rash enough to presume that we know India, vast subcontinent with all of its people, problems, contrasts and achievements; however, since we have been asked about our impressions, we venture one or two generalizations.
First we think that the spirit of Gandhi is much stronger today than some people believe. That is not only the direct and indirect influence of his comrades and associates, but also the organized efforts that are being made to preserve the Mahatma’s letters and other writings, the pictures, monuments, the work of the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi and the movement led by the sainted Vinoba Bhave. These are but a few examples of the way Gandhiji will be permanently enshrined in the hearts of the people of India. Moreover, many governmental officials who do not follow Gandhi literally apply his spirit to domestic and international problems.
Secondly, I wish to make a plea to the people and government of India. The issue of world peace is so critical, that I feel compelled to offer a suggestion that came to me during the course of our conversations with Vinoba Bhave. The peace-loving peoples of the world have not yet succeeded in persuading my own country, America, and Soviet Russia to eliminate fear and disarm themselves. Unfortunately, as yet America and the Soviet Union have not shown the faith and moral courage to do this. Vinobaji has said that India, or any other nation that has the faith and moral courage, could disarm itself tomorrow, even unilaterally.
It may be that, just as India had to take the lead and show the world that national independence could be achieved non-violently, so India may have to take the lead and call for universal disarmament. And if no other nation will join her immediately, India may declare itself for disarmament unilaterally. Such an act of courage would be a great demonstration of the spirit of the Mahatma, and would be the greatest stimulus to the rest of the world to do likewise. Moreover, any nation that would take such a brave step would automatically draw to itself the support of the multitudes of the earth, so that any would-be aggressor would be discouraged from risking the wrath of mankind.
May I also say that, since being in India, I am more convinced than ever before that the method of non-violent resistance is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for justice and human dignity. In a real sense, Mahatma Gandhi embodied in his life certain universal principles that are inherent in the moral structure of the universe, and these principles are as inescapable as the law of gravitation.
Many years ago, when Abraham Lincoln was shot – and incidentally, he was shot for the same reason that Mahatma Gandhi was shot for; namely, for committing the crime of wanting to heal the wounds of a divided nation. And when he was shot, Secretary Stanton stood by the dead body of the great leader and said these words: “now, he belongs to the ages.” And in a real sense, we can say the same thing about Mahatma Gandhi, and even in stronger terms: “now, he belongs to the ages.”
And if this age is to survive, it must follow the way of love and non-violence that he so nobly illustrated in his life. Mahatma Gandhi may well be God’s appeal to this generation, a generation drifting again to its doom. And this eternal appeal is in the form of a warning: they that live by the sword shall perish by the sword.
We must come to see in the world today that what he taught, and his method throughout, reveals to us that there is an alternative to violence, and that if we fail to follow this we will perish in our individual and in our collective lives. For in a day when Sputniks and explorers dash through outer space and guided ballistic missiles are carving highways of death through the stratosphere, no nation can win a war.
Today we no longer have a choice between violence and non-violence; it is either non-violence, or non-existence.

India, le ONG poco interessate alle radio comunitarie

Il Times of India si sofferma sullo scarso successo delle stazioni comunitarie nello stato indiano del Maharashtra. In questo stato della costa ovest dell'India sono in funzione solo tre stazioni delle 34 oggi operative nel Paese.
Si tratta comunque di cifre molto limitate per un fenomeno che in India sta letteralmente furoreggiando. La corsa alle licenze commerciali è frenetica, ma per le organizzazioni no profit la radio rappresenta ancora una opportunità poco praticata. Forse perché le regole, pur essendo state rese meno stringenti due anni fa, restano piuttosto severe. Partiti politici, condannati per reati penali e organizzazioni non autorizzate non possono chiedere licenze comunitarie, che sono state pensate soprattutto per le scuole e le ONG. Ma una stazione attivata può fare solo cinque minuti di pubblicità ogni ora (giusto per coprire i costi) e non può accettare sponsorizzazioni se non da agenzie pubbliche. Sinora le autorità preposte a vagliare le richieste di licenza ne hanno ricevute poco più di 200 su scala nazionale.

Lukewarm response to community radio in state
9 Sep 2008,
Swati Shinde,TNN

BARAMATI: Even after a policy change in November 2006 by the government to allow non-governmental organisations (NGO) and voluntary organisations to set up community radios stations (CRS), there has been a lukewarm response to the concept in the state. Of the 34 CRSs operational in the country, only three are in the state, including two in Pune and one in Baramati.
The Supreme Court of India ruled in 1995 that "airwaves are public property". But initially, only educational (campus) radio stations were allowed, under somewhat stringent conditions. Following the judgement, in 2004, India's first community radio station, Anna FM, was launched. It is run by the Education and Multimedia Research Centre (EM²RC) and all programmes are produced by the students of media sciences at Anna University.
However, only three CRS in the state have been operational as against eight in Tamil Nadu, the highest in the country. This was highlighted at the regional two-day western region consultation on CRS organised by the Vidya Pratishthan's Institute of Information Technology in Baramati on Monday. Various officials of the Union ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) were present for the workshop. The workshop was also attended by individuals, NGOs and educational institutions from Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
According to B. Brahma of the MIB, "The awareness among people about CRS is very low. Most NGOs are ill-equipped and uninformed about community radio."
All the community radio projects in India have been grant-driven and locally broadcast. The greatest challenge will be for the NGOs running these stations to make them viable, rather than leaning on endless grants. The radio policy allows five minutes of advertisements for every hour of programming, barely enough to cover costs.
P.K. Bisnoi, director, broadcasting, who was also present at the workshop said, "After the government revised the policy, we received only 206 applications from across the country. We can only help issue the license, the rest the institute or NGO has to look into."
Under the new policy, political parties and their affiliates, criminal and banned organisations cannot apply for a CRS license. Challenges to launch the CRSs are many, which, together with a lack of awareness, are the main hurdles. Central funding is not available for such stations, and there are stringent restrictions on fund-raising from other sources.
Only organisations that have been registered for a minimum of 3 years and with a 'proven' track record of local community service can apply. News programmes are not allowed on community radio in India. Sponsored programmes are not allowed, except when the government is the sponsor.

Pronto, mi passa la radio?

La radio digitale è di là da venire? La rete cellulare non va oltre la scarsa velocità del GPRS? Non disperate, basta un po' di inventiva per superare ogni ostacolo. Come ha fatto l'azienda di Chennai che sta offrendo un servizio "rivoluzionario" per ascoltare i programmi preferiti delle stazioni FM locali, Anche quando si è in viaggio e si esce dal raggio di copertura. Secondo il Times of India Bay Talkitec - fornitore di servizi VAS e IVR agli operatori mobili indiani - ha messo a disposizione un numero verde da chiamare... Per ascoltare la radio. Il cliente si abbona, versa un certo fee e può seguire i programmi radiofonici chiamando un numero gratuito. Low tech ma efficace. Del resto l'Araldo telefonico, l'antesignano dell'Unione radiofonica italiana, funzionava più o meno così.

Radio on mobile for FM addicts moving out of city
9 Sep 2008

Meera Vankipuram,TNN

CHENNAI: If you are a die-hard fan of Chennai's many FM radio stations and miss your favourite jocks jabber away when you are away from the city, there's good news for you.
Chennai-based Bay Talkitec, a mobile value added services (VAS) provider is developing a unique service which enables mobile users to access Chennai's many radio stations live, even when they are in other cities.
Ilango Periathambi, Director- Presales at Bay Talkitec told The Times of India that the service will allow mobile users traveling outside Chennai to listen to city radio stations by dialing a toll free number.
"As of now, FM radio is available only for a certain distance outside the city. Chennaiites have their favourites among the stations and crave for them when they are away. If the service takes off, all they need to do is dial a number to listen to Tamil FM," he said. The company is in talks with leading FM stations in the city as well as telecom companies to make the service possible.
He added that the company was ready with the technology but was negotiating with content partners, as of now.
Users who subscribe to the service can dial a toll free number from anywhere in the country, choose the FM station from a menu and listen to their favourite shows, live.
Bay Talkitec, a leading player in the Interactive Voice Response Systems space, recently made available clips of the Rajini film 'Kuselan' for Singtel mobile users in Singapore and Malaysia, through a tie-up with Saimira Access Technologies (part of the Pyramid Saimira Group). Periathambi added that they were looking to offer more such content in the coming months.

DJ per una settimana, Dheena entra nel Guiness

L'India dei record radiofonici e del trascinante successo delle stazioni commerciali FM ha portato via il Guinness di resistenza al dj italiano Stefano Venneri, che nel 2007 era stato davanti ai microfoni di una radio per 135 ore di fila. Il nuovo recordman si chiama Dheena e lavora per Big Radio 92.7, network presente in 44 città indiane. Ha fatto il suo mestiere di DJ per 168 ore, con pause di cinque minuti ogni ora e una pennica di un'ora ogni dodici. Quanto spazio occuperà il podcast di questo evento?

On radio for 168 hours, Dheena sets new Guinness record
28 Aug, 2008

NEW DELHI : Big 92.7 FM's Radio Jockey (RJ) Dheena has broadcast live on radio continuously for 168 hours and entered the Guinness Book of World Records, bettering the previous mark by 33 hours.
He is "ecstatic" after breaking the existing world record of 135 hours set by Italian RJ Stefano Venneri in 2007. Dheena began his on-air marathon Aug 21 at 5 a.m. that ended at 5 a.m. on Thursday.
Though Dheena, who hosts "Big Vanakkam" on Big FM's station at Chennai, broke Venneri's record at 8:01 p.m. Tuesday itself, he continued on to set a new record which would be tough to break.
"I didn't want to be a sprinter. I wanted to be like a marathon runner who would lead by hours and I have done that. I wanted the target to be very high so that for the next five to 10 years, no one should even think of attempting this," Dheena told media.
This was not the first time Dheena attempted an on-air marathon. In August 2007, he had worked non-stop for 92 hours and seven minutes.
For his Guinness record, the FM station ensured all medical requirements for Dheena. A team of physicians was present to monitor his health.
"I used to get five minutes rest in every hour and after every 12 hours, I used to get an hour's interval for myself.
In that time, I used to take a nap. I kept eating something in between and that's how I managed," said Dheena, who joined Big FM in 2006.
Before taking on this challenge, Dheena prepared himself physically and mentally.
"I undertook rigorous yoga practice to boost my mental endurance and also went to the gym regularly to keep fit and be awake for so many hours," he said.
Dheena is overwhelmed with the response of his listeners who gathered outside the Big FM office to meet him.
He said: "I have got a tremendous reaction from the people in Chennai and I have managed to get a huge fan following.
They were constantly concerned about my health and me. It was really motivating. People across ages came over to meet me, called me and helped me through this feat."
He says that the experience has taught him to be "patient, focussed and to concentrate with no sleep".

WonderRadio, SDR made in India

Dall'India misteriosa arriva un ricetrasmettitore radioamatoriale SDR da un watt. WonderRadio copre dai 160 ai 6 metri e costa 600 dollari. Molto altro non si sa, il sito del produttore del kit, SDRtec di Haryana, mostra solo qualche foto a bassa risoluzione. Questa la notizia apparsa su Southgatearc Radio Amateur Club:

Indian Software Defined Amateur Radio Transceiver launched

The first Indian Amateur Radio software defined transceiver covering HF and 6 metres has been launched. Rahul VU3WJM provides this information on the new rig:

'WonderRadio'
The first Indian (commercial) HF+6 meter multiband all mode transceiver. This transceiver is based upon the futuristic SDR (Software Defined Radio) technology and has outstanding specifications. http://www.sdrtec.com/
This transceiver is based on multi part QEX article:
"A Software Defined Radio for the Masses" by Gary Youngblood.
Shipping starts 3rd week of June.
For more information: support (at) sdrtec (dot) com
For technical information: rahul (dot) srivastava (at) sdrtec (dot) com

Authority India: niente spot dalla radio via sat

Molte cose stanno andando storte a Worldspace di questi tempi. Ricorderete che in India l'operatore satellitare era in attesa di una regolamentazione favorevole alla trasmissione di pubblicità dal cielo. Il TRAI, l'authority indiana, oggi ha escluso questa possibilità. Niente pubblicità via radio satellitare a pagamento, a parte due minuti all'ora di promozione degli stessi servizi satellitari. Inoltre saranno necessarie due diverse licenze (anche se un operatore potrà chiederle entrambe) per trasportare contenuti per conto di altri broadcaster e per diffondere direttamente al pubblico. Autorizzati anche i ripetitori terrestri FM dei programmi satellitari, a patto di non inserirvi programmi diffusi da terra.
Questa la corrispondenza dal giornale indiano Financial Express:

Satellite radio to operate without commercial ads: Trai
Posted online: Thursday , June 05, 2008

Satellite radio in the country will be devoid of commercial advertisements and players will require two licences/permission to operate the business, according to the draft of the Satellite Radio policy cleared by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Wednesday. On both the issues, Trai has concurred with the ministry of information and broadcasting. The regulator, in agreement with the ministry, has made a distinction between the carriage and the content services and recommended separate licence/permission for both. One type of licence is envisaged for providing the satellite radio service for carriage and broadcasting of channels, and the other mandates the player to obtain registration for satellite radio channels, which he will in turn provide to the satellite radio service operator for broadcasting. However, according to Trai, the same player can also hold both types of licences. The telecom regulator has recommended auctioning of the licences if the number of eligible applicants exceed the number of licences being offered, depending upon the availability of spectrum and satellite. The licence will be for a period of ten years initially, with provision for further extension for ten years. The licencee will have to pay an annual licence fee of 4% of the gross revenue
On not allowing advertisements, the ministry of information and broadcasting had stipulated that the satellite radio service provider will not carry any commercial advertisements on its service except two minutes per hour of promotional material about the satellite radio. Although broadcasters and FM radio had made a case for curtailing the duration of ads or not allowing ads at all for the fear of losing ad-revenue, The WorldSpace Enterprise, the existing satellite radio service operator and stakeholders from the advertisement industry had asked for advertisements to be permitted. Trai has held that the existing service is operating on a subscription revenue model without advertisements, that model shouldn't be tinkered with. WorldSpace had said that it has made significant investments of around $400 million (Rs 1,600 crore) to realise its India operations and wanted the One Time Entry Fee (OTEF) to be restricted to Rs 2.5 crore. Trai is of the view that the base value of OTEF should be raised to Rs 5 crore.
The Trai document proposes that terrestrial repeaters should be permitted but should only be allowed to re-broadcast satellite signals and not locally produced and inserted programmes. This is meant to partially address the fears of FM radio players who think of allowing repeaters. Allowing repeaters in satellite radio can launch straight competition to FM radio and at a time when we are still bleeding, we can't afford that, said a CEO of a reputed FM radio.

L'FM indiana vuole crescere ancora

All'India Radio Forum 2008 si sono riuniti i rappresentati della fiorente industria indiana della radio in FM. Tassi di crescita del 40% annuo (anche se la pubblicità radiofonica conta per il 3% del mercato mediatico) e solida seconda posizione nelle classifiche di popolarità, dietro la TV. Molti i temi sul piatto, come l'assegnamento di frequenze multiple agli operatori, la programmazione di qualità, l'efficacia dei messaggi pubblicitari e l'uso di una nuova tecnologia per la misurazione dell'audience attraverso il riconoscimento dell'audio trasmesso, simile a quella già adottata negli USA.
Ecco il dettagliato reseconto di Exchange4Media:

IRF 2008: ‘Radio needs evangelists and believers if it has to grow’
Robin Thomas June 02 2008

The India Radio Forum 2008 held on May 30 saw the entire radio fraternity share the same platform. While many supported the multiple frequencies, they felt that unless the internal issues of radio were resolved, the multiple frequencies would only harm the industry.
This is the seventh year of privatisation of the radio industry in India and second year of Phase II of FM expansion. The revenue is already growing at 40 per cent, which is by far higher than any other medium, say radio experts. They also reiterated that radio had the highest penetration in the country with FM stations penetrating 70 per cent of the market covering 68 per cent of the urban population.
However, despite these impressive figures, there was concern that advertising in radio was a mere 3 per cent.
The opening session at the India Radio Forum 2008 was moderated by Atul Phadnis, CEO, Media E2E, while the panellists included Abraham Thomas, COO Red FM; Apurva Purohit, CEO, Radio City; M Sebastian, MD, WorldSpace Satellite Radio; Prashant Panday, CEO, Radio Mirchi; Tarun Katial, COO, Big FM; Vineet Singh Hukmani, CEO, Radio One; and Anil Srivatsa, COO, Radio Today.
Apurva Purohit observed, “Radio reach is second only to television in India, and has the least ad avoidance compared to any medium, including new media. Even IPL, which had disrupted the GEC ratings, had no impact on radio.”
However, advertising on radio remained low, she said, citing factors like restrictive Government policies, no networking, no news, limited FDI and no multiple licensing as reasons for this low advertising.
Blaming the radio industry for all the flaws, Purohit said, “Radio needs evangelists and believers if it has to grow.”
Tarun Katial flayed the industry for not investing in people and entering the advertising business with dollars in their eyes, therefore, lacking leadership.

What lies ahead?

According to Prashant Panday, “TRAI recommendations are good as they address the core issues that will help the industry grow further.” He added that TRAI had taken the right step by supporting multi licensing.
Katial felt that radio stations needed to look at their current frequencies and consider some serious consolidations. He said, “Radio needs and should get new frequencies.”
Vineet Singh Hukmani said, “We need to invest in the genre. We are afraid to take risks and that’s the problem. Look at KBC or IPL, they are such innovative shows and were big risks, which eventually saw success. Radio as a medium is growing faster than anyone else, so we should ask the Government why television is given all the benefits. It needs a level playing field.”
Abraham Thomas, too, felt that radio as a medium should be allowed to grow. He added, “In a lot of markets, the small players in the industry don’t have the revenues. This must change.”
Refuting assumptions that satellite radio didn’t see eye to eye with FM stations M Sebastian said, “We love you, and look forward to business proposals with the FM channels”.

Does RAM really help?

Radio Audience Measurement (RAM) came under the scanner in the second session of the morning. The session was moderated by Praveen Tripathy, CEO, Hansa Consulting, while the panellists included Anuj Singh, National Marketing Head, Red FM; LV Krishnan, CEO, TAM Media Research (India); Mallikarjun Das, Director, Madison Media Research Centre; and Tina Singh, Head - Corporate Brand, ICICI.
Praveen Tripathy kicked off the session with the crucial question – how much does RAM help in selling the medium?
To this, Anuj Singh replied, “We are in the business of selling to the audience as a broadcaster. RAM has been widely accepted by broadcasters and clients alike. RAM has become a win-win situation for the radio industry.” Speaking on the measurement service, he said, “Treatment of the content makes the show attractive, and this is what each station is doing. Sadly, you can’t measure a small quantity. Comparing radio with television, Singh said, “Television, too, has several channels, which have viewer loyality. How each station treats its loyal listeners makes the difference.”
According to LV Krishnan, “Migration of audience must be made resourceful. The audience just wants entertainment, and it could be either in the form of RJs or through music alone.” Regarding news and current affairs in FM stations, he said, “85 per cent of the listeners are at home, so, if you’re giving news to the listeners they’d better switch on their television sets.”
Commenting on whether radio helped brands grow, Tina Singh said, “Radio does help brands grow as compared to other mediums.” Citing the example of ICICI’s Raksha Bandhan campaign, Singh said that the company had run advertisements on various FM stations and spent huge amount on the ads, thus witnessing growth in the sales.
Summing up the discussion, Tripathy said, “At present, RAM is evolving and radio works well for some brands, while not as effective as others, Radio stations are using these data to create better programming.”

Worldspace alle prese con l'India misteriosa

Worldspace, bisogna darle atto, non è una azienda priva di caparbietà. Le sue vicende finanziarie sono notoriamente delicate e la compagnia è stata costretta dalle autorità di borsa a lanciare una sorta di allarme rosso: senza nuovi finanziamenti c'è il rischio di fallire. La sua scommessa in Italia e in Europa è ancora incerta. Il confronto con quello che succede negli Stati Uniti nel mercato della radio satellitare digitale è una miscela di buone e cattive notizie: successo di pubblico e bilanci in rosso.
Una parte delle risorse satellitari di questo operatore, quelle oggi puntate sull'Africa, stanno per essere distolte per coprire l'Europa. In Asia Worldspace ha un secondo satellite, il cui target primario è il pubblico indiano. Anche qui le cose non sembrano andare a gonfie vele, ma Worldspace di prova lo stesso. Secondo quanto riferisce il giornale Financial Express, l'operatore satellitare ha chiesto al TRAI, il regolatore indiano - oggi impegnato nel rivedere le norme sulle trasmissioni satellitari (il link è a un altro articolo apparso su The Hindu BusinessLine) -, di concedergli uno status parificato a quello oggi assegnato ai detentori di una licenza di ripetitore terrestre in FM. Per la legge indiana oggi Worldspace si trova in una sorta di limbo: non può raccogliere pubblicità perché offre un servizio a pagamento (il giornale stima che la base di abbonamenti sia di 1,6 "lakh", unità di misura corrispondente a 100.000) e non può ritrasmettere le stazioni FM terrestri perché è un operatore satellitare. Come finirà?

Vague radio regulations put India’s only [satellite] radio station in fix

Pritha Mitra Dasgupta
Posted online: Monday , June 02, 2008

Mumbai, Jun 1 A lack of clarity on the regulatory status for satellite radios in the country has put WorldSpace, India’s first and only satellite radio station in a fix. The only source of revenue for WorldSpace as of now, is subscription, but in the modern age, this alone cannot help sustain a media firm’s profitability. Media firms rely heavily on advertising too.
WorldSpace is possibly looking at advertising as a source of revenue, but the firm does not have a licence since there are no proper guidelines for the sector. M Sebastian, managing director, WorldSpace has also shown interest in carrying regular FM channels on WorldSpace, but there are regulatory hurdles there too. Blame it on the nascent satellite radio sector or the regulations, the company is suffering from an identity crisis. WorldSpace, that has always positioned itself as a service provider, has applied with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) for the status of ‘terrestrial repeaters’ or a regular private FM channel.
However, there are a number of regulatory issues here. First, the policies that govern satellite radio channel and terrestrial FM channels are different. Second, unlike terrestrial FM broadcasters, WorldSpace does on sell space for advertisement. Its primary revenue is generated through subscription. Current FM players are saying that if WorldSpace is successful in getting the status from TRAI, then all norms, including the hefty license fee, FDI regulations, auction and bidding that govern private FM stations should be similar for WorldSpace as well.
Regarding carrying regular FM channels on WorldSpace, there are regulatory obligations, especially regarding networking. For example, a same radio station can have three radio channels in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore with local tailor-made programmes to suit the local audiences and advertisers.
However, in a country like India where people are used to listening to radio for free, WorldSpace has a paid subscription base of over 1.64 lakh.

Meglio Maraja o Deejay?

Sul portale di notizie dall'India SiFy è apparsa una gustosa storia sull'ultima mania tra i giovani indiani: diventare discjokey in una delle nuove stazioni FM. Oltretutto si può anche guadagnare bene, fino a 80, 90 mila rupie (1.500 euro!). In quanti, considerando l'imponente demografia indiana, saranno famosi?

Radio jockeying a rage among young Indians

Wednesday, 12 March , 2008, 10:25

New Delhi: If you are blessed with the gift of the gab and a pleasant voice, then add a dash of humour, sensibility and sensitivity and you might be the next best thing on radio.
Radio jockeying has assumed a dynamic and competitive nature since the introduction of nine private FM channels in the Indian capital. And young enthusiasts are up to it. "We receive at least two CVs every alternate day. The number of people aspiring to be a radio jockey (RJ) is mind-boggling and increasing each day," Punit Mathur, station director, Big 92.7 FM, told IANS.
Apurva Purohit, CEO, Radio City 91.1 FM, seconds that. "The business of Indian radio is booming and with time it will only get better. From just playing plain vanilla music with standard radio jockey talk since pre-private FM days, the profession is taking centrestage," she said.
According to Mathur, it is mostly fresh graduates in the age bracket of 19 to 20 years who desperately seek to join the profession. Ritika Singh, 20, is attracted by the fame, recognition and sharing of views and ideas associated with the profession. She said: "I want to become an RJ as it makes a person famous among the masses. Besides, I love to talk and share views and ideas. Also, by being an RJ, I can solve people's problems and counsel them, it will be a bonus for me." This is what most people seeking a job as a radio jockey say.
But the job entails a lot of hard work along with an alert, liberal and a humorous bent of mind. "Our profession requires awareness about the surroundings. One has to be abreast of the latest in the city so that a conversation can be struck with the caller immediately," Archanaa who is an RJ in Mumbai said on phone. She co-hosts "Whatte Fun Mornings" at Mumbai's Radio City 91.1 FM.
Purohit explained: "Creativity in radio is all about flexibility and fun. On a very broad spectrum other than very profile-specific competencies, we seek people with a passion for music, radio and scriptwriting to be a part of our team. "A creative bent of mind is a prerequisite. To be successful, one should also have an out-of-the-box approach regarding every issue."
For this, several media institutes as well as stand-alone training institutes offer training in radio jockeying. To help students and nurture their aptitude of becoming radio jockeys, a number of institutes across the country have initiated the concept of community radios on their premises. "Training is essential, if not a mandatory aspect of being a radio jockey," Mathur said and added that training always helps enhance the quality of a person's output.
But is this profession good enough to be a prime time career for a person? RJ Anu, who hosts "Hi Delhi" on Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM, vouches that it is a well paying job. "A fresher might be paid around Rs.10,000 or even Rs.15,000 depending upon the quality of work. Otherwise, highly experienced RJs even earn up to Rs.80,000-90,000, a month," she said.
Interestingly, professionals with different educational backgrounds are also getting attracted to this medium.

India, in arrivo anche le emittenti statali?

Outlook of India racconta della voglia di decentralizzazione manifestata da alcuni stati della federazione indiana, che ritengono troppo centralizzata la funzione informativa di All India Radio. Le licenze FM concesse a livello locale non riescono a soddisfare l'ambizione dei singoli stati, che vorrebbero dar luogo a enti radiofonici regionali. Secondo il periodico online cinque stati - Bihar, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Karnataka - avrebbero già fatto richiesta di licenza al regolatore indiano TRAI.

On A New Wavelength 

Why states want to run their own radio stations: AIR does not highlight schemes and achievements of the states. A dedicated radio station would be focused on regional/local issues. Its a medium that requires minimum investment but has immense reach. Five states - Bihar, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Karnataka - have applied for licences.

***

"It'll be an extension of Nitish Kumar's weekly durbar. Something the CM is giving top priority." Rajesh Bhushan, Secy, PR, Bihar

 

"Delhi CM Sheila Dixit is keen to take her message to the people on a dedicated FM station." Uday Sahay, Director, PR

 

"Azad Hind Radio will start once we get a licence. We want to instil patriotism in people." Shivraj S. Chauhan, Madhya Pradesh CM

 

Once there was All India Radio, beamed down from on high. Then came FM, when radio went a bit gaga. Now the broadcasting scene seems set to witness a third wave, as five states have expressed their desire to start their own radio stations and FM channels. Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Karnataka and Punjab have put in applications to this effect with the Union information and broadcasting ministry. AIR, the national broadcaster, they feel, does not do justice to region-specific issues. Hence the need for a locally-run and dedicated station.

The states have been pushing for their own radio stations despite a 1995 Supreme Court ruling that the "broadcasting media should be under the control of the public as distinct from the government". What has triggered the current interest in radio are indications that the central government might recast its policy. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), a few days ago, had even hinted that it was undertaking an exercise to explore the feasibility of allowing states to operate their own radio stations. In fact, anticipating the I&B ministry's approval, some states have even tentatively named their radio stations. So there is the Karnataka government's Namma Banali (Our Voice) and MP's Azad Hind Radio, both waiting for frequencies to be allocated to them.

Chief ministers like Delhi's Sheila Dixit and Bihar's Nitish Kumar are convinced that the humble radio—with its extensive rural-urban reach—is a better disseminator of news and information than television. Dixit wants to start an FM channel and Nitish's media advisors feel it is the best medium to educate farmers in the state. "Our own radio," says Rajesh Bhushan, secretary, public relations, Bihar, "can give area-specific news to farmers on weather and best farming practices. It can also disseminate information on local haats (fairs) and schemes run by the government far more effectively than any other medium. We even plan to start teaching English through radio for primary school students. The radio will also be an extension of the CM's weekly durbars."

Gung-ho about the proposed project, the Bihar government has even worked it out in great detail. The main focus areas have been identified: dissemination of information regarding government schemes; encouraging local participation by the communities and revival of local and folk art forms. Costs have also been computed. The setting up of the radio station, including equipment and installation charges, is estimated at Rs 4.8 lakh. The cost of the studio will be another Rs 2.3 lakh. Operational costs are pegged at Rs 47,000 a month.Monthly revenue has been worked out at Rs 50,000. Incidentally, there are eight state-run radio stations awaiting clearance in Nalanda, the CM's constituency.

The Delhi government's plans too are awaiting a go-ahead from the I&B ministry. According to Uday Sahay, director, publicity and public relations, "The Delhi CM is keen to take her message to the people on a dedicated FM station run by the state. Many schemes aimed at housing for the poor and the girl child don't get sufficient airtime and the CM is keen that it goes out on radio."

MP's efforts to have a radio station of its own is chief minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan's initiative."We thought it was time to instil feelings of patriotism in our people by using radio. So we are starting Azad Hind Radio once we get the licence. After all, radio is for the aam aadmi who is more dependent on the radio than television," says the CM. The state's information commissioner Ajay Srivastava elaborates on the CM's patriotism theme: "We would like to run a radio station with a dedicated patriotic theme on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Revolt of 1857." Of course, MP is also due to go to polls at the end of the year. Azad Hind Radio has already been sanctioned Rs 1 crore from the state exchequer. The state plans to recover working costs and even earn a small profit from local advertising.

Rajasthan too is giving shape to its broadcasting ambitions to promote community radio. Karnataka is going to the extent of picking and choosing government-friendly ngos to transmit its message. The state will be putting in two-thirds of the finances. In Punjab, information minister Vikram Singh Majitha is fairly clear: "We want a totally Punjabi channel with all the programming in the local language."

You can't fault his logic. But professionals who want the medium free of the state's clutches are viewing the move with scepticism. Watchdog Community Radio Forum, for instance, is perturbed by the state invasion into the medium. "It is an entry through the backdoor by state and local governments into the community radio space," says one member of the forum. "It is a deeply sinister move which will completely undermine the credibility and worth of community radio. Community radio is radio of, by and for the community, and 'state-run community radio' is not only a contradiction in terms, it will be little more than a mouthpiece for the party in power, an instrument for political propaganda."

Even if we discount this alarmist position, do the people really want to listen to the state propagate its message? Don't they want entertainment of the filmy kind, with perhaps a little bit of news thrown in? Programming then will be the key—the right mix of information and entertainment—now it remains to be seen if state-run radios will be up to the task.

Europa, onde corte addio. India, radio sul cellulare

Ecco un altro commento di Jonathan Marks sull'onda emotiva scatenata dalla chiusura delle frequenze in onde corte BBC per l'Europa. Questa volta il commento ha origine dalla lettura di un articolo che potete trovare sia sul New York Times (grazie a Fabio Zambelli di SetteB.it per la segnalazione) sia sull'International Herald Tribune, in cui vengono intervistati Marks e Andy Sennit.
Ma ecco quello che Marks ha aggiunto al discorso fatto ieri:

Face the facts guys, radio has become too wrapped up in its own routine and has not woken up to the fact that great content must be findable/searchable. The worst human interface ever is the old SW radio dial with a 1000 stations crammed into a few mm's marked as the 49 metre band. DRM's mistake was not being ready to pick up where SW analogue radio left off, i.e. not only with transmissions but a range of interesting programmes and cheap sets in the shops. It is a different story for parts of Africa, though even there the growth of FM is eating into traditional SW audiences. That's because local radio does local languages, adding information gleaned from international networks or grabbed from the web.

Un piccolo retroscena. Quello della radio "ricercabile" è un argomento molto caro a Jonathan. Lo aveva ribadito nel suo intervento al Prix Italia di Venezia, due anni fa. Io non sono così certo che l'EPG radiofonico sia una priorità come per la televisione, ma certo aiuterebbe.
Forse state seguendo la discussione sul DRM in seguito al mio post sulla BBC, dove erano apparsi i primi commenti del consulente olandese. Abbiamo parlato tra l'altro dei problemi infrastrutturali in nazioni del terzo mondo, dove secondo alcuni le onde corte digitali potrebbero avere molto più senso che da noi (qui in Europa, sosteneva Marks, il DRM ha fin troppe alternative). Io sono reduce da un incontro, a Barcellona, con il capo di uno degli operatori GSM indiani e mi permetto di avanzare qualche dubbio sulla visione di un terzo mondo infrastrutturalmente così arretrato... E infatti adesso ho appena letto, sul The Economic Times di New Delhi, una notiziola che dice:

Geodesic, Idea launch Idea Radio

19 Feb, 2008

MUMBAI: Mumbai-based Geodesic Information has joined hands with leading mobile services operator Idea Cellular to launch a mobile internet radio service.
Idea Radio, which is built on Geodesic's Mundu Radio technology, enables the customers to seamlessly tune into a range of entertainment channels without the need to carry a separate device or to be within the limited range of FM radio stations, the company said in a press release on Tuesday.
Customers can access the service through their GPRS- enabled mobile handsets and can subscribe to the service, the release added. Idea Cellular has licenses to operate in 13 circles in the country and has a customer base of over 22 million.

Allora. C'è un operatore indiano, Idea Cellular, con 22 milioni di abbonati (in Europa sarebbe un operatore primario) che lancia un servizio di mobile radio GPRS basato su una tecnologia di una softwarehouse di Mumbay, con uffici a Santa Clara, in California (la città di Intel). permette di accedere a un "range of entertainment channels without the need to carry a separate device or to be within the limited range of FM radio stations".
DRM, anybody?

L'India scopre audiradio

L'India, secondo il quotidiano Business Standard, ha finalmente scoperto il rating radiofonico, finora assente. Si attendono grosse opportunità e un'impennata negli investimenti pubblicitari, come è avvenuto alla televisione e alla stampa dopo l'introduzione delle misurazioni di audience e lettorato Tra le emittenti top, Big FM (presente in 34 città) e Radio Mirchi (12 città). Anche in India la radio è ovviamente il mezzo più antico, ma solo in questi ultimi tempi l'emittenza commerciale in FM ha avuto uno straordinario successo.

After TV, rating for FM radio
Seema Sindhu / New Delhi November 09, 2007
ENTERTAINMENT: A recent survey rated FM stations on different parameters.

TRPs (television rating points) have done their bit. Now, it’s the turn of RAM (radio audience measurement) to determine the ruler of the airwaves. A recent survey carried out on radio channels’ ratings or RAM brought to light some interesting facts. The results were announced on October 31.
The survey, conducted by TAM Media Research all across India, rated FM stations on different parameters like reach, listenership and the time spent listening. The research adopted the daily diary method, taking into account those above 12 years. The period of research was October 7-13.
According to the findings, the average weekly reach was almost equal for Mumbai and Bangalore (99.5 per cent and 99.6 per cent) whereas Delhi recorded a lower reach (96.6%). Bangalore topped the highest time spent listening category (1,092 mins/week) compared to Mumbai and Delhi (845 and 796 mins/week, respectively).
The time spent on an average weekend (117 mins/day) in Delhi was found to be higher than that on an average weekday (108 mins/day). In Mumbai, the best performing time periods were 9-10 am and 11am-12 pm.
Big FM topped in Bangalore and Mumbai, and Mirchi in Delhi in terms of reach. Big FM identified with its name, emerging as the radio channel with widest reach, a big achievement in just one year. The channel boasts of having 34 stations.
Big FM held the top spot in India’s IT capital, registering a market share of 24.5 per cent, followed by Times Group’s Radio Mirchi at 20.1 per cent.
Tarun Katial, COO, BIG FM, said: “We are determined to sustain our performance. Our popularity is synonymous with 100 chartbusters. We plan to concentrate more on Bangalore and Mumbai. We are, undoubtedly, the winner in the two cities but market is very dynamic and we will have to keep improving.”
Katial said that the radio industry was the first to come up with the idea of audience measurement, even before the advertisers and marketers. According to the latest RAM data (week ending October 20, 2007), Big 92.7 FM took the credit for reaching out to over 1.1 crore listeners cumulatively in three metros — Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. In Delhi, it was no. 2 in weekly reach.
The research was much awaited. As Siddhartha Mukherjee, vice-president (communications), TAM Media Research Pvt Ltd, said: “The idea was to give the marketers a good understanding of radio and its consumption (listenership trends). Radio is the oldest medium in India but due to lack of measurement and research tools, it did not grow at the same pace as other mediums. Television and print media have seen phenomenal growth due to TRPs and circulation numbers. However, now with RAM data available, marketers will be able to use radio channels more effectively.”
The data were collected from Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, and would help the radio channels in recognising target audience better. “Like TAM, RAM too is a continuous panel-based study. As a result, marketers, media agencies and radio channels should now be able to reap the same benefits from radio as well. Currently, radio constitutes 3 per cent of the total ad pie. With RAM in place, more ad revenue show flow towards radio, enabling it to double its revenue like TV,” said Mukherjee. He said that with the level of insight that the RAM data offered, radio was all set to become a strategic medium.
FEVER FM was ranked no. 2 with a market share of 12 per cent. However, in Delhi it was fourth in terms of reach.
Gowri Satyamoorthy Karpe, national head (marketing and promotions), FEVER FM, said: “The research will help us slice our audience in terms of demographics and time, and plan our marketing and promotional events.”
The research would assist marketers and advertisers in buying air time and planning promotional activities. It would also help the radio industry to rake in higher revenue like television and print media. No doubt, the radio industry is on a roll.