Radio City may pip rivals to post in Delhi launch

Radio City may pip rivals to post in Delhi launch

Radio

NEW DELHI: Music Broadcast Pvt. Ltd (MBPL), in association with Star, may just be the first one to launch a private FM radio station, Radio City, in the capital this weekend.
 
 
According to information available, senior executives of Radio City, including CEO John Catlett and COO Sumantra Dutta, are to announce its plans tomorrow here.

While the P.K. Mittal promoted MBPL is the licence holder, the content, marketing and ad ales for the FM radio stations are to be taken care by the Rupert Murdoch controlled Star India.

Radio City's launch is likely to be followed by Radio Mirchi (tentative launch date April 28) from the stable of Bennett, Coleman &CO. Ltd, publishers of Times of India and Economic Times.

Part of The India Today Group, Radio Today is also expected to launch its FM radio station soon in the Capital.

However, in recent times, private FM radio players have been petitioning the government to go in for revenue sharing instead of a licence fee, which, they say, is bleeding them as the losses are more than the revenue generated.

Meanwhile, RED FM has secured a coup of sorts by bringing Ameen Sayani, the veteran voice of Indian Radio industry back. He will host and produce programmes exclusively for 93.5 RED FM. Sayani will anchor Sangeet kay Sitaron Ki Mehfil presented by IDBI Suvidha.

Sayani has been associated with radio since 1951. He is known and recognised for his extremely charismatic voice and his most famous show was the Colgate Cibaca Geetmala (formerly Binaca Geetmala) .