TRAI Recommendations: Reviving FM Radio in India | Spooler Radio Consultants
TRAI Recommendations: A Game-Changer for India’s Starving FM Radio Industry
Radio, India’s oldest, most widespread, and deeply rooted electronic broadcast medium, has long been shackled to a pitiful 3-4.5% share of the annual advertising expenditure (adex) despite its unparalleled reach. At Spooler.in, India’s most experienced radio consultancy with decades of expertise across FM, satellite, and online streaming radio, we’ve witnessed this paradox firsthand—a medium with massive potential, yet starved of the investment it deserves. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) recent recommendations, outlined in the Recommendations on Inputs for Formulation of National Broadcasting Policy-2024, could finally unlock FM radio’s true power—if implemented with the right support.
A Revolutionary Overhaul
TRAI’s proposals, aligned with the Telecommunications Act, 2023, promise to break decades of regulatory chains. Key changes include:
Simplified Authorization: Replacing the rigid licensing model with a structured authorization framework, including a 10-year renewal period and a 4% AGR-based fee.
Content Freedom: Allowing up to 10 minutes of news and current affairs per hour and permitting online streaming of radio content
Operational Flexibility: Delinking service authorization from frequency assignment, removing mandatory co-location, and encouraging voluntary infrastructure sharing with telecom providers.
Tailored Guidelines: Introducing a separate Programme and Advertisement Code for private broadcasters.
Expanded Reach: Proposing a shift from city-wise to district-wise FM frequency allocation to cover more regions.
These reforms, hailed by the Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI) as the most significant in decades, signal a seismic shift for FM radio.
Pivotal Changes to Watch
New Authorization Framework: TRAI replaces the outdated licensing model with a structured authorization system, streamlining operations for FM radio broadcasters.
News and Current Affairs: Allows up to 10 minutes per hour of news and current affairs, expanding content possibilities for stations.
Online Streaming Approved: Permits radio content to be streamed online, opening digital avenues for reach and revenue.
Decoupling Authorization and Frequency: Delinks service authorization from frequency assignment, simplifying entry and operations—a game-changer Spooler.in can help navigate.
No More Co-Location Mandate: Removes mandatory co-location requirements, giving broadcasters more flexibility in infrastructure setup.
Voluntary Infrastructure Sharing: Proposes optional sharing of resources between broadcasters and telecom providers, encouraging cost efficiency.
Dedicated Content Code: Establishes a separate Programme and Advertisement Code tailored for private radio broadcasters, ensuring clarity in compliance.
10-Year Renewal with 4% Fee: Sets a 10-year authorization renewal period with a 4% AGR-based license fee, offering financial predictability.
District-Wise Frequency Shift: Suggests re-evaluating city-wise FM frequency allocation for a potential district-wise model, promising broader coverage across India.
Spooler.in: Your Radio Consultants
For years, we’ve watched FM radio battle outdated rules while serving millions with unmatched accessibility. TRAI’s recommendations arrive at a critical juncture, and Spooler.in—India’s leading Radio consultancy in FM, satellite, and digital radio—is here to lead the charge. Whether you’re launching a terrestrial station, exploring streaming, or scaling your reach, our decades of experience ensure your success.
Connect with Us: connect@spooler.in
Resources:
https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-02/PR_No.13of2025.pdf
https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-02/Recommendations_21022025_0.pdf