Govt tunes into radio reforms

[icernet-admin at listserv.cddc.vt.edu]

The radio broadcasting industry is set to enter a bullish phase with a set
of reforms round the corner. The days of All India Radio’s monopoly will end
soon, ushering in an era of FM broadcasting. According to people familiar
with the developments, news broadcast will be allowed in the FM segment.
Also, FDI norms for radio broadcast will be more or less similar to TV and
the print medium. A 26 per cent cap is likely to be mandated for FII and
FDI. For FM entertainment channels, where there will be no news. The FDI/FII
component is expected to be 74 per cent. But if there is a news component in
an entertainment channel, foreigners will be restricted to 26 per cent.
According to sources, FM broadcasters will be permitted to carry a 24-hour
news channel or a mix of entertainment and news.

Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=204349

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