One more FM channel to hit Bangalore

One more FM channel to hit Bangalore

The Hindu

Radio BIG plans to make `a different sound' with 90 per cent of its content in Kannada


Bangalore: The latest FM channel to hit Bangalore had quite a few celebrities to announce its launch on Friday. Radio BIG 92.7 FM presented Kannada actor Upendra, along with the channels radio jockeys Kiran, Rashmi, Harini, Sindhu, Deepu, Shalini and SihiKahi Chandru. All aiming at a target audience of 20 to 35 year olds.

Radio BIG CEO Tarun Katiar said: "The channel's motto is `a different sound' and 90 per cent of programme content will be in Kannada and the rest in English. Our phone-in programmes will not be confined to the elite, we will take calls and respond to listeners in places such as Yelahanka too. We will be totally for Bangalore."

For example, there will be the day-long, "Keli, Kelisi, Life Nimmadagisi," a phone-in programme broadcast from 6 a.m. taking song requests also by SMS. There will be interviews with personalities such as actors Vishnuvardhan and Puneet Rajkumar, cardiologist Devi Shetty, film director Indrajit Lankesh, actress Rakshita, music director Hamsalekha and writer Ravi Belagere on the launch date sometime next week. There will also be a Mysore-based channel within a few months.

As Upendra said at the pre-launch press conference: "Radio is a rapidly growing format of entertainment and Radio BIG will give me one or more opportunity to interact with the my fans."

This FM channel also plans to be different with a late night slot for songs dedicated to raising funds for charitable causes; people sending an SMS also have to pledge a donation. "City Connect" features with information about events happening and updates on local issues and a humour programme and one dedicated only to women will be what Radio BIG has been planning once it goes on air. And, Upendra will have a programme all to himself "Upiology" for his admirers.