Music and Youth
FM radio: FinMin opinion may provide succour
NEW DELHI: The finance ministry is likely to advise the information and broadcasting ministry that the licence fee of private radio FM players could be kept in abeyance till a final view is taken on various related issues, including amending the present guidelines.
Though the expenditure secretary seems to have zeroed down on this option, another alternative before it is to suggest asking the private FM operators to pay partial licence fee, which would be lower than a full year’s payment.
Government sources told indiantelevision.com today morning that the finance ministry’s opinion on the issue, referred to it by the information and broadcasting ministry, may come in a day or two.
However, I&B minister Ravi Shankar Prasad is personally of the opinion that even if the FinMin roots for deferment of licence fee — in one case payable immediately, while in other cases time could be given up to 6 May — the issue should be referred to the Election Commission as such a step by the outgoing government may be construed as a sop to the media industry and frowned upon by the poll regulator.
The ministry had issued notices to private companies running radio FM stations in four metros to pay the annual licence fee.
It is interesting to note that though The Times of India group company Entertainment Network (India) Limited, which manages Radio Mirchi FM stations, had moved a Mumbai court earlier this month seeking a stay on encashment of bank guarantee in case of non-payment of licence fee immediately, it was also one of the four signatories to a letter to I&B minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on 22 April.
It is another thing that the Mumbai court had refused to entertain ENIL’s plea.
According to the letter, a copy of which is available with indiantelevision.com, “In the face of severe financial haemorrhage, we would request you to give us a favourable consideration for holding in abeyance the payment of the annual licence fee in line with the interim recommendation of Trai (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, the broadcast and cable regulator).”
Apart from the Times group, the other signatories included Music Broadcast Pvt. Ltd. (operating Radio City), Radio Today Broadcasting Ltd. (operating Red FM from the India Today group) and Sun TV Limited.
Music and Youth
TLC launches ‘World On My Plate’ with Shipra Khanna
New travel-food series premieres 29 March at 7:00 PM.
MUMBAI: Shipra Khanna just packed her bags and her flavours because when a celebrated chef takes you on a global plate tour, even the couch starts feeling like first-class. Warner Bros. Discovery India has announced the launch of World On My Plate with Shipra Khanna, a new travel and food series set to premiere on TLC on 29 March at 7:00 PM. Hosted and curated by the popular chef and television personality, the show blends food, travel and culture through an intimate and immersive lens.
Across three visually rich episodes, Shipra journeys to global destinations to explore not just what people eat, but why they eat it, uncovering the stories, traditions and human connections behind every dish. The series opens in London, weaving its iconic landmarks with diverse culinary scenes, before moving to Spain’s vineyards, olive orchards and coastal kitchens.
Warner Bros. Discovery head of advertising revenues for South Asia Tanaz Mehta said: “At TLC, our focus has always been on bringing authentic stories that reflect how people live and connect. World On My Plate builds on this by using food as a lens to explore shared traditions across geographies. We’re excited to collaborate with Chef Shipra Khanna, whose perspective brings both depth and relatability to these narratives.”
Shipra Khanna added, “Food has always been my way of connecting with people and understanding cultures. With World On My Plate, I’ve had the opportunity to step into new worlds, learn from incredible individuals, and share stories that go far beyond the plate. This show is very special to me.”
The series promises strong visual storytelling, meaningful interactions and a fresh perspective on global cuisine celebrating flavours alongside the emotions and traditions that shape them.
In a world where travel shows often feel like distant postcards, Shipra Khanna is serving up something far more personal: a passport to cultures through their kitchens, proving that the best way to understand a place is still through the plate. Tune in to World On My Plate with Shipra Khanna starting 29 March at 7:00 PM on TLC.
