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FM radio foray: Mr George M George, Executive Director, Muthoot Group, flanked by Mr Prem Kumar (left), Station Head of Chennai Live 104.8 FM, and Mr Sunil Kumar, Managing Director, Big River Radio India, at the launch in Chennai on Tuesday.

Our Bureau

Chennai, July 8 Kerala-based Muthoot Group today launched its first FM radio channel – Chennai Live 104.8. Unveiling the logo of the channel, the group’s Executive Director, Mr George M. George, said it is a “talk radio” and will focus on knowledge and local content. The station will cover detailed analysis of all latest developments, events and happenings in Chennai, including striking social issues with equal importance being given to entertainment too, he said.

“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,” said Mr Prem Kumar, Station Head.

The station will continuously interact with professionals from various fields and other opinion leaders for their advice on its programming policies, said Mr Kumar.

According to Mr Sunil Kumar, Managing Director, Big River Radio (India) Pvt Ltd, lead consultant to this venture, the radio industry is still in a nascent stage compared with other forms of media and there is tremendous scope and business potential. He said, “For an FM channel to succeed in its business environment, localised focus with social responsibility is the basic requisite.”

Big River Radio is a company promoted with the objective of providing consultancy services for setting up and managing radio stations as also to provide services and processes such as programming, marketing, airtime sales, recruitment and training that radio stations need to outsource.

The Muthoot group, with Muthoot Finance, a non-banking finance company as its flagship, has interests in healthcare, hospitality, insurance, real estate, plantations and non-conventional energy sector.

According to Mr George, the company has invested Rs 20 crore in the radio venture. The group is also looking to obtain more FM licences in the third round.

“We may, in the meantime, acquire some existing stations in the country to expand our footprint,” he said.

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