The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its recommendations on reserve prices for the auction of FM Radio channels. It has been recommended that the reserve price for the auction of FM radio channels should be 83 lakh for Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh), one crore 20 lakh for Rourkela (Odisha), and 97 lakh for Rudrapur (Uttarakhand). TRAI has also recommended that the reserve price for the auction of FM radio channels in Category-E – E cities should be 3.75 lakh rupees.
Earlier, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had sought TRAI’s recommendations on the reserve price for the auction of FM Radio channels in 18 cities and towns of category E situated in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for the expansion of Private FM Radio.
In order to ensure the financial sustenance of FM Radio operators, the Authority has recommended several measures. It has been recommended that the Private FM Radio Operators should be allowed to broadcast news and current affairs programs, limited to ten minutes in each clock hour. The authorised entity shall follow the programme code for news content as prescribed by the Central Government from time to time.
