Gold for radio stations, Silver for radio sets

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent
Not many years back, under the visual attraction of computers, video games, and television, there was a feeling that the days of radio were numbered. Many households began preserving their old mammoth radio sets either as a symbol of the past or as a memoir of their ancestors.

But the launch of private FM radio stations has given a rebirth to radios in big cities. In past couple of months, Chandigarh too has seen the arrival of two new private FM stations and the radio market doing a turnaround.

Now many known and unknown brands have flooded the markets with varieties of radio sets. Names like Palito, Star, Kachibo, Booty, Kaide, Sonilen, Nishica and Manbo had never been heard before.

These 'Made In China' radio sets are today available on roadsides and every small electronics shops in the city, particularly in the Sector-22 and Sector-17, and everybody who likes to listen is buying these and tuning in.

A tiny transistor with a speaker comes at Rs 50 or Rs 75 and a break box-type radio set is priced at Rs 175. There is no warranty on these sets. Apart from these Chinese gadgets, multinational companies like Philips, Sony and BPL are also offering a new range of radio sets. These start at Rs 150. The range is limited. But queries about branded FM radio sets are increasing dayby-day at the electronics shops. Due to the low price, the Chinese sets sell more than the branded ones.

The Chinese ones come in many models-- with or without earphones, with 10 bands and with a world receiver-and run on two pencil batteries. Some sets are equipped with a torch. These FM radio sets have not only come into homes but also tea stalls, small fast-food outlets, telephone booths, cabs, buses and autorickshaws.

For the cab drivers, FM has proved to be a boon. No more inserting and taking out cassettes now. In these vehicles, an FM radio set can be installed for Rs 150.

"As the satellite channels began gaining popularity, the sale of radio sets began plunging," says Gurpinder Singh Cheema, proprietor of a radio and TV shop in Sector-17. He says the shop sells only branded radios, which starts at Rs 550. After the launch of the two FM channels, sales have jumped 30 to 40 per cent, he adds.

Deepak, proprietor of another radio shop in Sector-17, agrees. "The sale of radio sets was stagnant for almost 10 years. The radio industry was looking towards other business avenues like CDs, computers, VCDs, tape-records and televisions. Now, many youngsters are purchasing these radio sets."