Kannada satellite radio channel takes off

First Kannada satellite radio channel launched

The channel promises to cover programmes on art, culture, sports, fashion, films and even current affairs, all with virtually no advertisements.

Deccan Herald

The world’s first 24-hour Kannada satellite radio music channel, Sparsha, launched with a bang, literally. For, there was no chief guest, no lengthy speeches and no dais at the programme on Friday evening. Worldspace Programme Director Chaitanya Hegde proudly announced ‘Sparsha’; there was a loud bang and then the unveiling of the channel logo with the Worldspace team cheering in the background.

Sparsha, meaning touch or contact, aims at reaching the hearts of millions of Kannadigas across the globe by providing wholesome entertainment in their mother tongue. “The USP of the channel is its packaging and the unique format in which the programmes will be presented,” says Chaitanya Hegde. The channel promises to cover art, culture, sports, fashion health, fitness, education, food, films, politics and even current affairs, all with virtually no advertisements.
It will not be all film music, there will be folk and light music as well. There will be an hour of devotional songs in the morning followed by Bhavageeta on Inchara programme to be hosted by Shruti. Another programme to look forward to is Gandhinagar Express hosted by Avinash Bharadwaj.

But are there enough resources to play quality Kannada music without repeating oneself too much? “Yes,” insists Hegde adding, “through this channel, we hope to make listeners relive the magic of good Kannada music by playing the 60s, 70s and 80s music which is excellent.”

Despite Bangalore’s cosmopolitan culture, Chaitanya Hegde firmly believes that ‘Sparsha’ will touch every true Kannadiga.

Sparsha is another feather in the cap for Worldspace, which is making inroads into the sphere of regional language programming, with KL Radio in Tamil and RM Radio in Malayalam already boasting of their dedicated listeners. The launch was certainly a window to what one can expect from the Worldspace team in the days to come.

Music on Worldspace is available on their exclusive receivers. There are a range of receivers which cost Rs 3,999 onwards, each having different features. One needs to subscribe to Worldspace in order to enable the receiver. The annual subscription is Rs 1,200.