New vision to Radio: AROI Radio Congress 2011

The   Association   of   Radio  Operators  of   India ,   organized  the  second   edition   of   the   Radio  Congress   2011  at  Kingdom   of   Dreams,  Ne w   Delhi.  The   day long  seminal   event  for   the  radio  industry   included   panel   discussions   with   industry experts  on   ke y   issues  like   radio  broadcasting,   policy,   regularization,   advertising  etc   along   with   an  exhibition   of   technological  Innovations  in  radio.    

While   delivering   the   keynote   address,   Rajiv  Takru,   Additional   Secretary,  Ministry   of   Information   &  Broadcasting   said,   "At  present  the   spectrum   is  245   channels  in   83  towns   and   with   FM   phase   3  the   number   will   inc r e a se   to  800  channels   in   283  cities.  The   moda lity   that  the  government  is  planning   to  adopt   for   phase   3  licensing   is  e auctioning.   Th e   rati onale   being,   open  auctions   are  transparent   and   le a v e   least  scope  for   bias.  We  believe   that   the   pr i v a t e   sector   in  broadcasting  is mature  and  will  be  responsible  in  bidding."    

He   further   added,   "   Phase   3  which   is  to   be   finalized  in   another   three  months   will   incentivize   private   operators  for   choosing   sp ecific   less   revenue   ge ne r a t i n g   operating   regions   (North   eastern  states,   Border  states).  The   15%   limit   on   the   number   of   licenses   one   entity  can  own   is  also  enhanced  in   this  case.  In   terms  of   new s  broadcast,   FM   can  carry  AIR   news  bulletin   unaltered.  AIR   is  working   out   a   snippet   format  which  makes  the   same   easy   for   private  operators. Inter center networking would  further empower programming."    

The   panel   discussions   were  deliberations   by   major   players  in   the  radio  and   broadcasting   industry   along  with   counterparts  from   advertising,   media  planning   &  buying   agencies,  policy   makers  and   technological   support   providers  etc.  The   exhibition   was  an  insightful   display   of  technology  capabilities  of  the  India n  radio industry. Â   

Commenting on   the   success   of   the   conference   Anurradha   Prasad  President,  AROI  &  Chairperson,   News  24,   said   "Through  this  platform,  AROI  was  successful   in   making  an  effort  to  bring  together  the   radio  industry   players,   advertisers  and  policy   make rs  under   on e   roof   to   discuss   the   important   issues  of   the   industry.  We   are   hopeful   that  in   the   years  to  come ,  such  platforms will  be  vital  milestones in  fuelling  discussions  and   growth of  the  industry."