FM channels cash in on polls

Elections in Uttar Pradesh have brought in a ray of hope for the FM radio channels, which have been hit by the recession.

With the candidates finding it tough to campaign amidst the tight vigil of the Election Commission, the heads of FM channels are showing them the way to ensure maximum reach to the public. Almost all the FM channel heads have given their representation in the state headquarters of political parties.

The Reliance ADAG-owned Big FM has prepared a presentation showing how Barak Obama used radio for his publicity in the US Presidential elections. S FM, partially owned by Sun TV of Tamil Nadu, has been selling its package to the candidates. Radio City, Radio Mirchi, Radio Mantra, Big FM and S FM have their presence in Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad, Agra, Varanasi and other big cities.

In Aligarh and some cities in western UP, Big FM has a monopoly. Besides, in these areas the average expenditure of a candidate is much more than in other parts of the state.

Chief spokesperson of the state Congress Committee, Akhilesh Pratap Singh, told Business Standard the representatives of FM channels were contacting party. He, however, said candidates of big cities will decide on selecting the channel.

Mayor and in-charge of BJP candidate in Lucknow, Dinesh Sharma, said the party would use hi-tech mediums to circulate the appeal of former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.