Stations drop the mic: Can India save its FM radio groove?

For years, the Indian private FM radio industry has been sounding the alarm. With HT Media Group now surrendering multiple FM licences across key markets, the long-due wake-up call for the government and policymakers is required NOW. This is not an isolated case. It follows TV Today’s exit from radio, BIG FM’s insolvency and even Red FM surrendering Magic FM to Mumbai earlier this year. Station by station, the medium is being hollowed out. Eight months ago, when TRAI recommended reforms, I had said, "What truly matters is timely implementation. Over the years, many favourable policy suggestions have been made for radio but haven’t been implemented yet." Unfortunately, that remains true even today. For years now, in AROI representations, policy discussions, boardrooms and industry forums, we have been repeating the same urgent asks: → 4% AGR model for Phase III extensions post-2030, without fresh auctions → GST reduction from 18% to 5% for parity with other media sectors → Mandatory FM receiver activation on smartphones → Permission for regulated news and current affairs on private FM The smartphone point alone reflects the irony of the situation. Nearly 90% of FM listening today happens on phones, yet millions are forced onto paid data because FM receivers were quietly deactivated and advisories were never enforced. Another point to note is that while global streaming platforms boom in India, why is radio, our century-old homegrown medium, still struggling despite the government's push for Make in India initiatives? Radio at its core remains the common man’s medium. It reaches millions in local languages, across cities, small towns and even areas where other mass mediums fail. It is also the medium chosen by the Hon’ble Prime Minister for Mann Ki Baat. My point, as I speak on behalf of a medium that is dearest to me and millions who rely on it, is that radio has never asked for sympathy. Only a fair ground to play on. As simple as that. So now the question is: will reforms finally come before the last frequencies go silent?