Adlabs plans to launch visual radio services

After FM stations, Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group-controlled Adlabs Radio is planning to start visual radio services.

"We are in talks with telecom players for the services and we may start our services by December," said Adlabs Films (FM radio initiative) head (marketing) Anand Chakravarty.

"The service provides users with interactive content while they are tuned into a radio station. Users can receive interactive information and graphics related to the content. They can also download related wallpaper, songs and ringtones," Chakravarty said.

Commenting on FM stations, he said, "Of the 45 for which we have got the licence, 14 are operational and we hope by June, all the 45 stations will be operational."

The company will spend nearly Rs 150 crore on operations in the northern region comprising Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The company has plans to set up 20 FM stations in the northern region.

Commenting on advertisement revenue, Chakravarty said, "The total ad spend is about Rs 24,000 crore. The radio share is 3 per cent, quite low compared to western countries, and so there is growth potential."

He said FM channels would fuel the growth of FM-enabled handsets, which is currently only 4 per cent of the total handset market.