Music and Youth

Government now looking at throwing open bids for FM phase 3

Published

20 years ago

February 15, 2006

NEW DELHI: The government’s going radio ga GA looks like.

Information & broadcasting secretary SK Arora today said that the government is exploring phase three after seeing the overwhelming response it got from private players to the second round of bidding for FM radio licences.

Arora, who interacted with journalists on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association’s 26th general conference in the capital after outlining the developments in the media, said in the third round of bidding, smaller towns and circles would be targeted.

However when asked by Indiantelevision.com, Arora didnt give a time frame, saying, At the moment, we will have to get the first two phases of FM on stream and then we will examine the possibility of a third phase, which is part of a bigger plan to get the whole country on the FM (radio) map. I
cannot give any time frame for the third phase now. It may take even a year.

The financial bid process for the second phase of FM private radio was for 338 radio stations spread across 91 cities. The bidding started on 6 January and was done in five stages.
Out of the total frequencies, 279 frequencies were finally picked up. Some more licences will be given away in lieu of those surrendered by bigger players.

It is interesting to note that FM radio phase II had witnessed new entrants such as Reliance-Adlabs and Bhaskar group bidding intelligently and aggressively, besides the existing radio players some of whom, like the Sun TV group, widened their presence in the country.

Still, he admitted that a Prime Ministers Office-initiated panel recently discussed the issue of news on private radio stations. No recommendations have been made yet and the government would examine if any suggestions were made in this regard, Arora added.

Broadcast regulatory authority draft bill ready
Delivering the keynote address at the CBA conference earlier, Arora also said that the government is contemplating a regulatory mechanism for the broadcast sector and a draft paper is ready, which would now be discussed with the industry stakeholders.

In his opening remarks, he said that a Broadcast Regulation Act is being contemplated to refine and define the parameters that would guide the regulation of broadcast content and carriage in the changing scenario where more and more convergence is taking place.

According to him, a self-regulation content code too is being developed in consultation with the industry, which will lay emphasis on self-regulation. The regulator will intervene in case of broadcaster s failure to self regulate, he added.

After having outlined the importance of the amended uplink guidelines and the newly placed downlink law, interestingly Arora said that the broadcast regulatory law might also include clauses on private broadcasters obligations to public service broadcasting.

Pointing out that of late the private broadcasters have also started doing public service broadcasting, Arora said the government is considering whether the roles of Prasar Bharati (the major public service broadcaster) and the private players, who are meeting their obligations on public service
broadcasting, could be converged in due course.

It could be infrastructure or content or both. We are still examining how this could be highlighted, Arora said when asked about private broadcasters role in public broadcasting.

While inaugurating the CBA event that was surprisingly shorn of media hype, information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi said that time has come to examine as to how much disinformation is being carried along with information dissemination taking place in todays world.

While lauding the role of CBA within the commonwealth countries, Dasmunshi said sharing of information among members could be further articulated to reduce tensions.

CBA secretary general Don Micknon highlighted the role of broadcasters in strengthening the cooperation among the member countries ever since its inception in 1945.

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Music and Youth

Mumbai gears up for the ultimate Global Youth Festival this December

Published

3 months ago

November 24, 2025

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Mumbai is about to witness something it has never seen before. The Global Youth Festival arrives on 6-7 December at Jio World Garden with 15,000 attendees and 60-plus experiences sprawled across six sprawling arenas. On its sixth edition, this is no ordinary jamboree—it is a carefully orchestrated collision of wellness, adventure, arts, music, yoga and social change.

Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis will throw open the proceedings with a landmark ceremony, signalling the state’s backing for a movement that has already mobilised youth across 20-plus countries and 170-plus cities. The sheer scale is staggering: 500-plus volunteers powering the machine, 600,000-plus volunteer hours logged across previous editions, and millions of lives touched annually.

The speaker roster is formidable. Diipa Büller-Khosla and Dipali Goenka, chief executive of Welspun India, will share the stage with Malaika Arora in conversations spanning leadership, creativity and culture. Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Mansukhbhai Mandaviya will also attend, reinforcing GYF’s reach into the corridors of power.

But this is not mere talk. The Solaris Mainstage promises concerts from renowned Indian artists. Innerverse delivers a 360-degree LED spectacle of art, technology and sound. The Love and Care Arena houses hands-on projects spanning women’s empowerment, child education, rural upliftment and animal welfare. India’s largest outdoor sound-healing experience awaits. An inflatable obstacle course, neon drifter karts and open-sky bouldering cater to thrill-seekers.

Some have branded GYF the “Coachella of Consciousness.” Others call it “India’s Largest Sober Festival.” Spiritual visionary Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji, who inspired the festival, will deliver the Wisdom Masterclass. Every rupee goes to charity.

After Mumbai comes Kolkata on 14 December. New York looms next year. For one weekend in December, Mumbai becomes the epicentre of youth-driven change—and nothing will be quite the same after.

Tickets available on BookMyShow. Visit youthfestival.srmd.org or follow @globalyouthfestival on Instagram.

Music and Youth

Reality Ranis swap jungle for shore as Season 2 drama washes ashore

Published

6 months ago

September 4, 2025

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: The Ranis are back and this time, they’re trading leaves for waves. Warner Bros. Discovery has dropped the trailer for Reality Ranis of the Jungle Season 2, and the all-female survival show is moving from dense forests to sandy shores. The first look teases a stormy mix of crashing waves, sizzling rivalries and survival drama as 12 contestants battle for the ultimate crown.

Season 1 set the tone with fierce jungle clashes, but the sequel looks double the size and twice the fun. The fresh lineup features Samyukta Hegde, Irena Rudakova, Archana Gautam, Sara Gurpal and more all ready to swap comfort zones for chaos. Adding extra spice, Rakhi Sawant storms into the mix, promising unpredictability that only she can deliver. Guiding the spectacle once again is host Varun Sood, whose return ensures fans a familiar yet amped-up ride through the survival saga.

The timing couldn’t be more symbolic. As Discovery celebrates 40 years globally and 30 in India, the series mirrors its DNA of bold, edge-of-seat storytelling. Reality Ranis Season 2 isn’t just about endurance, it’s about power plays, transformations, and testing limits under the scorching sun. With beach brawls, surprise twists, and a crown on the line, these Ranis are set to prove that survival, like the tide, waits for no one.

Music and Youth

Tips Music acquires Studio Radha’s Cultural music of Gujarati and Kutchi

Published

7 months ago

August 18, 2025

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Tips Music Ltd acquired Studio Radha’s complete music catalogue expanding its footprint into Gujarat’s rich cultural music heritage. The acquisition reflects Tips Music’s strategic expansion into regional markets, delivering authentic folk traditions with contemporary reach to Indian and global audiences.

Studio Radha, known for its extensive collection of 4,000+ traditional songs spanning devotional music, folk music, and cultural storytelling, adds a dynamic, heritage-rich catalogue to Tips Music’s diverse portfolio, strengthening its position in regional Indian music while exploring new digital streaming and global publishing opportunities.

Commenting on the acquisition, Tips Music Ltd managing director Kumar Taurani said, ” This acquisition, which has a authentic voice of our culture, is a strategic move to deepen our presence in India’s vibrant regional music markets. Beyond preserving this incredible legacy, our goal is to leverage our modern distribution infrastructure and introduce these timeless songs to a new generation of listeners globally. This aligns perfectly with our business strategy of investing in high-quality, diverse content that holds timeless appeal.”

The Studio Radha catalogue will be made available across all major streaming platforms and digital services under the Tips Music banner, ensuring these cultural gems reach music lovers worldwide.