News Headline
Content differentiation key for FM radio business
MUMBAI: Radio has the potential to grow at a compounded rate of 30-35 per cent over the next 10 years. “In India, radio has the potential to become a 13 per cent medium. Currently, its share is just 3 per cent while the world averages 7-8 per cent,” said Radio Mirchi deputy CEO Prashant Pandey while speaking at the India Radio Forum 2006 here today.
Several issues, however, need to be addressed, Pandey pointed out. “Spectrum needs to be freed, infrastructure needs to be set up. Radio operators must be given the permission to operate multiple frequencies in a city. Music royalty has to be settled. The government should also open AM for privatization too,” he added.
Speakers at the Forum agreed that FM radio stations had to fix a differentiation strategy. “FM radio has to strive for differentiation while targeting an aggregated mass of listeners. In India it is difficult to carry out a segmentation by genre or even, perhaps, by era,” said Radio One CEO Rajesh Tahil.”
Red FM COO Abraham Thomas stressed on difference in the delivery and advertising revenue should not be the only support, but to look for alternative revenue stream. Being aware that music is the only content available amongst the operators, thus bringing a differentiation in content is a task.
Lintas Media Group chief strategy officer Raj Gupta pointed out that, 22 per cent of products advertised cater to youth. This accounts for 59 per cent of total adverting.
He also said, 61.2 per cent of the population is below the age group of 30, and hence, the youth constitutes the main audience segment for any medium. “The Youth reach and spend more time on radio and hence, radio holds a lot of potential for the advertisers in terms of youth appeal. Radio has moved from background to foreground and has become relevant to the youth,” opined Gupta.
Gupta also threw light on commodised content. “This has led to undifferentiated content and similar audiences,” he said.
The session was moderated by Banyan Tree chief managing director Anish Trivedi.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
