FM radio takes a big leap

THE CITY is in for a throwback to Generation O. When people drove cars at 25 kmph, slept by 7-30 p.m., wore sacks for skirts, reams of dhoti, and thought Radio was God.

Things either got better or died. In that context, the radio has been a phenomenon cause it didn't get better for most parts (at least in India), nor did it die.

Like the phoenix, it rises again, against all odds - through the TV antennas, satellite sets and the Internet's web. In many nooks and corners, radio still makes its presence felt (remember, it never compels you to sit at one place, allows to you do other work and has a far greater variety than does television).

Now, it's really coming back. Sort of like the 60s bells in trim cuts.

The four metros on Saturday launched a brand new version of FM 2. What it means for Chennaiites is that instead of getting the broadcast for just six hours, they will now get to hear news in English, Hindi and Tamil, Carnatic and Hindustani music, folk and film music, some drama, more music, and some more news for another 12 hours.

Day one on Saturday, September 1, heard a live relay of the inauguration programme by Ms.Sushma Swaraj, Minister for Information and Broadcasting. And later in the evening, a live relay of the Cabinet expansion. Some drama, Hindi, Tamil and English news, Sports news and regional news, some music and news again.

Judging by the response to FM 1 in Chennai, the extension in time should give the officials at Prasar Bharathi space enough to pack in as much relevant infotainment for the cell-totting urban youth.

That's a thought there - maybe mobile phones should come with WAP-enabled radio receptors. Just punch in the frequency and select the programme. Goes to show there's potential.

In most places abroad, specially in the West, radio is big time that has also evolved into a highly participatory community affair. Any shed is either a garage, a scientist's lab, a start- up company or a radio station.

Guess we don't have too many sheds in Chennai, but maybe privatisation should bring a revival of the radio.

What is more, even the serious stuff is part of FM radio elsewhere. The BBC's Today programme heard in the UK, on many days sets the tone for the next day's newspaper stories. There is classic FM, which has 24 hours of pure Western Classical. We must wait for all these things to happen - a cutting edge morning programme, a station dedicated to Indian Classical, and of course local radio.

Till then, quality air time in Chennai will be FM 2 from 6 a.m. to 12-10 a.m. at 105 MHz.

Stay tuned.

By Feroze Ahmed

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Section  : Southern States
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