Stay tuned to Private FM

The popularity, availability, and low cost of radio made it a convenient and practical medium for use in programmes for learning at a distance and is mostly used in combination with other media, such as with print medium followed by face-to face teaching etc.

Radio, which was becoming an extinct species, has revived itself very strongly with the advent of these private channels. The importance of localized coverage with regard to flood affected and drought affected areas, area wise information of water loggings, traffic jams, traffic speeds, power cuts and commuters spending hours stranded in cars have contributed to enhanced interest in this medium of communication. Added to this are the stress buster doses by way of jokes, tit bits and imitation of various celebrities which makes these channels scale up the priority ladder.

The government has given permission to set up three new frequency modulation (FM) band radio channels, raising the number of such private channels to four.

A total of 10 companies applied for the permission of operating FM radio channels. Three firms have FM licenses. Ayna Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Capital FM are coming on air soon. The new channels are planning to provide a different target audience by broadcasting diverse programmes to add a new dimension to the private radio channels.

Before 2006 Bangladesh had only two Stations (Bangladesh Betar and Radio Metrowave. Radio listening on medium wave was confined to urban limits of these cities. Presently the broadcast scenario has drastically changed with three FM channels.

Because of the variety of contents, new way of presentation and technical superiority, FM radio gains popularly despite the operation of a number of television channels. The rocking FM radio channels have revived radio listening in the country. Mobile phones also provide the facility of listening to FM radio stations. The RJ's are pretty cool and the whole thing has about it a chic feel that would endear it to the local youth.

"We have been waiting for this FM channel for very long and finally it has come to us and is doing great. People enjoy the FM channels very much," said Shila, a listener.

Radio Foorti
Radio Foorti, Bangladesh's first 24-hour private FM radio channel, is launched on September 21, 2006. Their target listeners were between the age limit of 16 years and 40 years. Radio Foorti has the ultimate aim of being the backdrop of Bangladesh. A lot of the people involved in Radio Foorti are members of local bands and therefore their taste in music mirrors those of the school and university students.

If you have heard Radio Foorti 98.4 F.M you might be wondering how wonderful it might be being a Radio Jockey. Daily traffic reports, musical and other social events, gossips, movie news, Iftaar and Seheri timings (for the Ramadan) are all being delivered to the people by the ever chirpy RJ's along with other tit bits.

It is a partnership with the famed Radio Mirchi of India. The sudden craze among all the potential investors and companies is to understand the mindset of the youth. Radio Foorti has the same idea in mind but has a whole different approach to it.

"Even the producers of Foorti are individuals who are in their early twenties", said producer Champa. Not only that but the station has two built in studios and exceptional sound engineers to help them deliver the optimum in good quality radio entertainment.

Radio Foorti would set up a separate station in Chittagong soon and in other divisions afterwards. Radio Foorti has an approval for airing programmers in 100km radius.

The producers are trying to achieve their goal of making the station a part of every day life. When people wake up they want the radio to be tuned to Foorti and during the course of the day playing in the background while people are engrossed in their everyday regime. They are coming up with ground-breaking ideas. The station has already somewhat captured Bangladesh and they are motivating to be synonymous with radio here.

Spreading your word to an entire population is hard work it is extremely enjoyable. One might get the idea that it is mandatory to have proper diction and must have formidable vocabulary.

This private FM radio station is mainly broadcasting modern Bangla songs, along with band music and a bit of oldies and folk. They have also started playing English and Hindi pop tracks on a program named Club Foorti. This program will be aired on every Thursday from 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM.

Radio Today
The genesis of Radio Today, the largest private FM Radio operator in the country, which began broadcasting on September 16, in Dhaka.

The success of Radio Today can be attributed to its skilled manpower, ability to understand the audience needs be it any region and the capability to fine tune content based on the culture and taste of the local audience.

"There's something for everyone", said the RJ on Radio Today,

The new channel, which you can catch on 89.6 FM, brings high hopes for the underdog medium. Their programmes cover news and views on sports, education, business and commerce, development, happenings in Dhaka and its surrounding districts.

So you can call it an Infotainment station. Information and entertainment will go along concurrently. It will embody exclusive talk shows, live interactive shows, traffic news, interviews, music, weather news, daily life tips, tips on career, educational programmes, counseling, fashion and beauty, not to mention songs which are at the top of their list.

These stations are city-based. They range from Dhaka to some nearby districts only. Those who are within 100 KM of their station, it is for them.

Shishir, one businessman like the news updates that they have from time to time. He also like segments like Dhakar Chaka which reports live to tell you about the traffic situation in and around the city. Things like that can be very useful for commuters as you know in advance where heavy traffic may be and make plans accordingly.

It embody exclusive talk shows, live interactive shows, traffic news, interviews, music, weather news, daily life tips, career tips, educational programmes, counseling, fashion and beauty tips and of course songs into one channel. After beginning transmission from September 16th from its studio in Banani, Radio Today has within a very short span of time carved a niche into the hearts of young adults and the young at heart. Early signs would suggest that it is here to stay especially with constant innovations such as interactions with fans, which might in the long run prove to be the most crucial factor in its sustenance.

Other innovative skits of Radio Today include broadcasting prices of essentials via on the spot reporters so people who are on way to shop can know the going rate at the market today.

Radio Today will set up the transmission centres first in Chittagong and then in Sylhet and then in other places on priority basis. This private FM radio station will cover almost all parts of the entire country on completion of installation of five transmission centers.

ABC Radio
Matiur Rahman Choudhury, managing director of Ayna Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), one of the three companies, said they would start operation next year.

Three licensed private stations have already begun their preparation and Radio Amar has started its experimental broadcast. " ABC will come to public on October, 2007. News on every hour is our specialty. Radio culture comes back with revolution and they will make a market.

"Our channel would be news based but in the long run we hope to introduce entertaining programmes also. Moreover, views, talk shows, songs, educational programme, human rights campaign, traffic session, etc will be provided. Besides, programmes based on agriculture-related information, which has a huge demand throughout the country, can listen the audience, "said Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, Director of ABC Radio.

Radio Metrowave
Radio Metrowave went on air on March 26, 1999. The radio frequency is 256.41 meter band or 1170 KHz in medium wave. The broadcast hours are from 7.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. , 12.00 noon to 3.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Radio Metrowave does not broadcast news due to a government restriction. Radio Metrowave realizes that fast lifestyle of metropolis requires a radio broadcasting service that can provide entertainment and information in an effective manner - a concept developed in this radio-station for the information age as "infotainment".

Radio Metrowave's program development team consists of young, dynamic and talented artists. In modern metropolitan city life, radio plays a vital role. It provides valuable information and entertainment. News of hourly city traffic, information about travel and tourism, discussions on national and international issues including radio editorials on issues of national development, live-wire music and edutainment programs make radio appealing to the new generation of young people.

Probhati, Ajker Din, Ganer Pakhi, Metro Hits, Global Rhythm, Rockwave, Nakshi Katha, Metro Sananda, Sonali Otit and Station Rock are some of their popular programs. As much as their programming is targeted towards the youth, it also caters to housewives, executives on the move and people of Dhaka who want to move ahead in this fast changing new millenium. Metrowave gives a balanced radio and the details of programs attached herein will bear that out.

Capital FM
Capital FM is Dhaka's first radio station playing non-stop tunes from around the world! Now you can listen to the freshest music and biggest hits while on the road driving through the streets of Dhaka! Tune into 90.0 Capital FM now by selecting 90.0 on the FM band of your car radio.

Radio Amar
This is a sister concern of Unitrend Group. With the theme Echo of Bangladesh, Radio Amar FM 101 began its test transmission from February 6 and very soon it start its live transmission. People from across the country can hear the 24-hour test transmission by tuning FM 101.

"We will feature our programmes according to the demand of our listeners," explains Zulfiquar Ahmed, the Managing Director of Uni Wave.

Photos: Habibur Rahman