[icernet] AIR FM ad bookings go down as pvt players eat into the pie

[Arul Selvan MIC]

In the past six months or so since private FM radio players began their
operations in Mumbai, All India Radio (AIR) FM has been feeling the
heat. According to official estimates, advertisement bookings on AIR FM
in Mumbai are down by 50 per cent as private players have started eating
into the pie. While there are two AIR FM stations in Mumbai, only FM 1
is commercially attractive.

AIR is facing tough competition from private players in Mumbai, a Prasar
Bharati official admitted.

AIR FM stations in other metros are yet to experience the competition as
private FM broadcasting has not taken off there. In April 2002, private
FM broadcasting started in Mumbai with five players in the market.
Although private FM radio licensees in Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata were
scheduled to start operations by August 29, 2002, the proposed launch in
these circles did not take off as scheduled.

Source:
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=20703