The Rs 25,000-crore Muthoot group has forayed into media by launching India’s first talk-radio station called – Chennailive – in Chennai on Tuesday.
Unlike other FM radio stations in India, ‘Chennailive’ is the unique and creative FM radio station, focused on knowledge-centric and local content. The talk-radio station will have unique and proactive content format, host analyses of all current topics, and cover events across the city. This will include striking social and important issues with lively debates with leading personalities and professionals from different fields apart from music and entertainment programmes, said George M George, executive director, Muthoot group.Addressing a press conference in Chennai, he said: “This is the first FM radio station in India to have discussions, debates on issues affecting common public in the city with industry bodies, professionals. Music is one of the many things of this radio station.””We have successfully carved a niche for ourselves in our 120 years of existence as a group and this radio station is another such endeavour from our group to help meet the information and entertainment needs of the people and will help us being a competitive player in the industry,” he said.
The FM radio in India is still in its nascent stages and we hope to play a big role in the years to come. “We have applied for licences to enter other metros. We also look at options to acquire the existing FM stations in India for expanding our presence. The group also look at entering the print and satellite TV market at a later stage,” he added.
According to Prem Kumar, station head, “The target audience is different. We are trying to create a new set of audience. We hope to differentiate ourselves from others.” This is a language-netural FM station. It is meant for people who have a point of view and would like to participate or associate with the changing face of the city.
For a FM channel to succeed in its business environment, localised focus and social responsibility are some of the basic requisites. The Muthoot group is in the right direction and its perfect time to expand into the media space. The company has invested Rs 20 crore in this project, including the licencee fee to the government. “We hope to do well in the first year itself,” he added.
