Usherring of A New Scheme For Augmentation of Private Fm Broadcasting For Catering to Diverse Tastes of Radio Listeners

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Peter Daniel
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1 Usherring of A New Scheme For Augmentation of Private Fm Broadcasting For Catering to Diverse Tastes of Radio Listeners Introduction Private participation in radio broadcasting was introduced in the country by a Government notification dated July 1, The objective was to attract private agencies to supplement and complement the efforts of ALL India Radio by operationalising FM radio stations that provide programs with local content and relevance, thus encouraging local talent and generating employment. Phase I of the scheme was, accordingly, launched in the year 2000 by offering 108 channels across 40 cities along with a channel in each of these cities for educational content. The scheme was received with great enthusiasm both by the broadcasters and the public. Even though only 21 channels could finally get operationalised across 12 cities, largely because of heavy competitive bidding and allied problems, they revolutionized the scene of radio listening in the country. Phase I was followed by a successful Phase II and now Phase-III, after the completion of which 1076 private channels are slated to be available spanning 00 cities of the country having a population of 1 lakh and above. No doubt Private FM broadcasting has played a commendable role in rejuvenating the scene of radio listening in the country, thus bringing back the glory of radio, it has still to come to a stage where it can claim to provide the much needed diversity in the programmes so as to cater to all types of listeners including the small select groups. Since this is not becoming possible within the framework of the present private broadcasting regime, it seems necessary to give a thought to the creation of another regime for private broadcasting. This praper has, accordingly, been prepared with this objective in view specially at a time when TRAI, through its recommendations, is working towards promoting TV niche channels and for this purpose is also providing more space on distribution networks for them. Need for specialized programmes and Niche Channels No broadcasting medium can be said to be complete and B.P. Srivastava mature till it is able to cater to all tastes with variety of programmes including specialized programmes. Private broadcasting, although having brought much needed renaissance of radio in the country, has to look within itself from this perspective. It has also to be seen whether the Government's objective of diversification of content, as enunciated in the policy of 'Private FM Broadcasting', has been met with the current scheme. As it stands today, most of the content broadcast by various private channels is more or less of a similar nature and caters to particular type of listeners whereby listeners of other tastes are left out. This neglected segment largely comprises of small select groups interested in programmes that are away from the main stream. These types of listeners can be catered to by the introduction of specialized programmes that in general parleys are called niche channels. Some of the prominent areas that fall into this category include classical music, folk music, talk shows, radio discussions, radio dramas, soap operas, and children's programme. These areas are in no way exhaustive and can be enlarged through consultations with various stake holders. Even though these select groups may individually be small in numbers but with ingenuity in content generation and suitable mix, these broadcasts can be made commercially viable. Need for a separate regime for these channels with various options Phase III of Private FM has just been launched with the auction of its first two batches while more batches are to follow. Licenses under this scheme would be for fifteen years. Increasing the number of channels under the present regime has also not been possible in spite of the best intentions and efforts of TRAI as well as of the Government because of logistics problems. Digitization of FM transmissions, which is on air, is also not likely to help in creating these channels under the present regime because of the complexities of altering the licensing conditions and more so under the possible scenario of simulcast transmissions both on analog and digital during the interim period, as has been discussed later in this paper under technical considerations. There has also 6

2 to be no doubt in anybody's mind that these channels Technical Considerations will not, at least to start with, have the same commercial Private FM broadcasting in our country is presently on potential as the channels under the present Private FM analog mode. New licenses for its Phase III are also in broadcasting. Keeping in view all these problems, the process of being issued. These licenses will be valid creation of a separate commercial regime for these for 15 years. Frequency planning for these channels has channels, with necessary incentives to start with, seems also been carried out in analog mode. Switching over to to be the only solution for augmentation of Private FM digital transmissions has, however, been on air for quite radio broadcasting. some time. As a matter of fact, a dead line of 2017 was Various options for creating the separate regime also envisaged for its complete switch over but not much progress seems to have been made in this direction. One Since creation of technical infrastructure is a costly of the reasons, amongst others, for this delay has been affair, especially from the point of view of acquisition of high cost of receivers for this mode. The cost of any site and setting up of a high tower, there seems to be a commodity, however, depends on the volume of need to examine various options to usher the proposed demand, an example of which is the miracle done to the regime. The easiest course of action could have been to cost of FM receivers by private broadcasting at its allot time slots for these channels on various inception itself. As such the demand for digital mode transmitters of All India Radio. This option is, however, receivers is not likely to go up till an alternate attractive likely to restrict the growth and full blossoming of these programme is available on the digital mode. Whatever channels. As such this option is not being considered may be the time for switch over; digital is the technology while two other options are given below: for future. As such any new regime has, necessarily, to Option-1 Creation of total transmission be created in digital mode and that too with DRM+-as infrastructure by the Government through BECIL the technology that has been chosen in our country and giving them to licensee broadcasters on rental primarily because of its advantages of ease of migration basis. The capital expenditure on creation of from and co-existence with analog broadcasting, as also infrastructure may be met from the License fee of compliance with the existing spectrum masks & earned by the Government from Private FM analog frequency grids. The frequency band to be used broadcasting. would, therefore, be VHF Band II. Option-2 Creation of infrastructure may be left to the licensee broadcasters with the Government In view of the fact that that digitization of the existing stepping in for assistance by way of making the land private FM services has still not been taken up but is on and tower available to the licensee broadcasters, as air, the proposed regime will have to work under either may become necessary in the interest of promotion of the two possible scenarios given below. of the scheme. Private FM may be purely working in analog mode. Cities to be included in this regime Private FM may be working in simulcast mode to It is proposed that the regime may first be introduced in start with, if its transmissions are digitized. the cities with population of 20 lakhs and above and Taking into account the present position in the country categorized for the purpose of license fee as well as for the technical parameters, as given in Table I. S. No. 1 2 A+ (Metro cities) A (Cities with population of 20 lakhs and above) Table-I Name of cities A+ (Metro cities) Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Nagpur, Pune, Surat, Varanasi where TRAI has issued a Consultation Paper on digitization of FM Radio broadcasts, the later scenario is most likely to be encountered by the proposed regime. Protection Ratio figures have, therefore, been examined from the following three angles to decide upon frequency spacing from the present operations that does not require co-location with the present CTI's: DRM+ interfered by DRM+ DRM+ interfered by analog FM Analog FM interfered by DRM+ 4.1 Protection Ratios 7

3 For the purpose of discussions at this stage, it seems adequate to take into consideration the Protection ratio basic (PR basic) figures instead of going into more details of PR p,, the figures for which are different not only for various VHF bands but also for various reception situations PR basic for of DRM interfered with by DRM and also DRM interfered with by FM ITU- Rep gives the PR basic figures of DRM interfered with by DRM and also DRM interfered with by FM at various frequency offsets up to 200 KHZ both for 4 QAM and 16 QAM systems. These figures have been clubbed together for a frequency offset of 200 KHZ as given in Table-II. S. No. Service Protection Ratio (Basic) in db for 200 KHZ DRM (4 QAM,R =1/) DRM (16 QAM, R =1/2) DRM interfered by DRM Table -II DRM interfere by FM stereo It is seen from the above that a Protection Ratio of -40 db, which would obviate the necessity of co-location, would be possible with 400 KHZ separation from the existing private FM operations in various cities PR basic for FM stereo interfered with by DRM A closer look is, however, required to take care of protection to the existing FM services in analog mode by DRM as seen from ITU Rec. BS which gives the PR basic figures for FM analog interfered with by DRM. These figures are given in Table-IIII. Freq. Sep. (KHZ) +/-0 +/-100 +/-200 +/-00 +/-400 FM interfered with By DRM in the lab By DRM in the field Advantage can, therefore, be taken of the results of this study that gives a Protection ratio of -40 db at 400 KHZ separation. In addition, the ERPs of the proposed regime working in DRM+ mode can suitably be adjusted to achieve necessary protection to obviate the necessity of co-location of the transmitters of the proposed regime with the CTIs of Private FM Broadcasting. 4.2 Signal Strength Requirements ITU Rec.ITU-R BS.1660-S gives the technical basis for planning at terrestrial digital sound broadcasting system G (DRM) in the VHF bands. It gives the Minimum Medium field strength levels, (E med dbµv/m) for different receiving scenarios and modulations taking into consideration various correction factors losses and allowances. Some of the values that have been considered for this proposal are given in Table V. Scenario Minimum Medium Field Strength levels in VHF Band II (dbµv/m) 4. Choice of Technical Parameters PR (Basic) db Basic planning has been carried out to cater to the Table-III portable outdoor (PO) receiving scenario for A+ and 'A' category cities taking into consideration the coverage It would be seen that PR (Basic) at 400 KHZ is -11 db... requirements and height of the antenna as follows :- However, the results of a study carried out at the University of Applied Sciences; Kaiserslautern A+ cities (Germany) have shown that while the PR for +/- 400 Radial distance of coverage = 70 kms approx. KHZ in the lab is -8 db that in the field, it is 40 db. These figures are given in Table-IV. Antenna height =190 M (Tower Ht. of 200 M) 4QAM 16QAM PR in db with various Frequency Offsets 0 +/ / /- 00 +/- 400 KHZ KHZ KHZ KHZ KHZ (P.O.) Portable outdoor Table-IV (MO ) Mob reception. Rural Area/ Hilly terrain Table-V ( PO-H) Portable outdoor Handhold reception (Urban Area with bad reception conditions

4 'A' cities Radial distance of coverage = 60 kms approx. Antenna height = 140 M ( Tower Ht. of 150 M) 4..1 Requirement of ERP and Coverage The requirement of ERPs to meet the above mentioned coverage stipulations have been worked out both for and QAM-16 modulations. The results are given in Table VI. of city A+ Modulation QAM Proposed Technical Parameters The proposed technical parameters under the stipulations of simulcast mode of the present private channels are given in Table VII. Note: These parameters may have to be looked into and modified, if need be, taking into account the parameters fixed for the present regime under digitized scenario, if digitization of present regime precedes the launch of the new regime. 6. Number of frequencies to be offered A Taking into consideration the present frequency QAM allocations in VHF Band II, number of frequencies 4..2 Choice of QAM Table VI proposed for various cities are given in Annexure I. 9. Period of License Taking into consideration the following factors, Period of license is proposed as 5 years with a proviso of is proposed for this regime extending the license period for another 5 years with Suitability for a robust signal (albeit with a low data revised technical parameters, if it is found necessary rate) 10. Way Forward and Acknowledgement Lower ERP requirement It is hoped that the new regime with the proposed Keeping an eye on continuation of analog FM in commercial incentives and technical parameters will go simulcast mode a long way in fulfilling the need of augmentation of 4..2 Number of channels per frequency private FM radio broadcasting for catering to the diverse tastes of radio listeners through specialized programmes Each frequency may be allotted 2 Stereophonic & niche channels. In the end, I would like to express my Channels along with Data. sincere thanks to the BECIL team, especially Shri Rupesh Kumar Asstt. Manager, for working out the 4.. Spectrum, Frequency Allocations and Number coordinating technical parameters required to be of Frequencies stipulated for providing the desired coverage. Spectrum to be used: MHz and MHZ ******************** Frequency Allocations: 400 KHZ spaced from the existing operations of Private Broadcasting in each city 4..4 Co-location with the present Private Operations Not required ERP in KW 15 Coverage in KMS (approx) under different receiving scenario signal strengths (both for / QAM-16) in dbu/v/m P.O. (40.74/42.27) M.O. (42.74/49.57) P.O. (H50.66/58.76) of city A+ A Modulation ERP in KW HAAT 190M 140M Table VII Estimated Coverage with dbu/v/m 70 KMS (approx) 60 KMS (approx) 9

Annexure -1 List of cities along with frequencies and channels proposed to be included in the new regime S.No. City State No. of frequencies No. of Channels Remarks 1. Chennai Tamil Nadu A+ 5 10 2.

5 Annexure -1 List of cities along with frequencies and channels proposed to be included in the new regime S.No. City State No. of frequencies No. of Channels Remarks 1. Chennai Tamil Nadu A Dellhi Delhi A Kolkata W. Bengal A Mumbai Maharashtra A Bangalore Karnataka A Hyderabad Telengana A Ahemdabad Gujarat A Nagpur Maharashtra A Surat Gujarat A Varanasi U.P. A Jaipur Rajasthan A Kanpur U.P. A 6 1. Lucknow U.P. A Pune Maharashtra A 6 About The Author Shri B P Srivastava has now been associated with radio broadcast engineering for more than 60 years. After contributing his mite in the areas of medium wave and short wave, he is now engaged in the development of FM. His association with FM dates back to its inception in the country. It was under his charge that FM was introduced in All India Radio in a big way in the late nineteen eighties and the technical policy on FM was formulated along with the planning for 100 FM transmitters across the country. He was decorated with Akashvani Annual Award for Technical Excellence for his work in this field. He was also a member of CCIR's interim Working Party; IWP-5 set up to study various aspects of tropospheric propagation. Later on, he again came to the centre stage of FM when Private FM Broadcasting was introduced in the country by playing a pivotal role in the preparation of policy frame work of its various schemes and in their unfolding from Phase I to III. During this period itself, he has published more than a dozen papers on FM broadcasting. In recognition of his overall contribution towards the growth of radio broadcasting in the country, he has been honoured with the Life Time Achievement Award at Radio Congress Mr. Srivastava has also worked as Panel Expert with AIBD - an organization working under the aegis of ITU. In this capacity, he has conducted international courses in Pacific region and for Asian region in Papua New Guinea and Pakistan respectively. He was also acted as an expert to advise the national broadcaster of Papua New Guinea on the matters connected with Medium Wave broadcasting. Mr. Srivastava is presently working as Senior Advisor with Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Ltd (BECIL) a Government of India Enterprise. 10

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