Worldspace radio, which went off-air in India in December 2009, will be back in a new avatar.

Music label Saregama India Ltd and Timbre Media Pvt Ltd announced a tie-up on Tuesday to create customised radio channels to be delivered via mobile, the Web and direct-to-home platforms.

Content on the channels, branded Worldspace and Saregama Worldspace, will be available across formats ranging from 24-hour thematic stations to shortened capsules for digital media.

Timbre Media was formed in 2010 and has studios in Bangalore and Mumbai. Timbre has a team of 90 professionals, comprising former employees of Worldspace India. To begin with, the new channels will leverage Saregama's content and distribution strengths, with programming handled by Timbre's team.

The first channel would be up in eight to 12 weeks, noted Mr Adarsh Gupta, Business Head — Music, Saregama. The company is talking to major cellular service providers.

Speaking to Business Line , he said, “The revenue model would be led by subscriptions to start with. The idea is to populate the product across platforms, and the mobile space presents a large and ready opportunity.”

Digital platforms account for 70 to 75 per cent of Saregama's revenues, according to the spokesperson, who also noted that the company was looking at significant top-line growth through the new channels.

Channels will be across languages and genres, and will also target the Indian diaspora.

Saregama reported revenues of Rs 131 crore for the year ended March 2011, with music contributing Rs 111 crore. According to the agreement with Timbre, Saregama will acquire 10 per cent of the company.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed by Saregama and Timbre officials.

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