The radio wave

From being the hottest thing in pre-Independent India, to being television's step-sibling three decades later, and eventually burgeoning to its current boom since the new millennium, the radio industry has come full circle.

Currently estimated to be worth five billion rupees in India, a report by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) predicts a 28% growth that would make radio a Rs 17 billion industry by 2011. To balance the scales, it is evident that the need for professional and well trained radio personnel is pertinent.

"It all started with the opening up of FM airwaves to the private sector in 2001, when the government gave licenses to 21 FM stations at an exorbitant fee that nearly throttled the nascent industry," explains Simran Kohli (pictured right), a radio veteran with over 12 years of experience across senior profiles such as programming head and creative director with some of the industry's top players. "By 2005, the government had sanctioned 336 frequencies across 91 cities, allowing foreign investment of up to 20%," she adds.

The law of demand and supply is the oldest rule in the book, and the radio boom has consequently led to the mushrooming of radio courses across the country. "Basically, radio channels work on their programming and marketing/sales, and professionals working along either vertical require a basic knowledge of the processes at a radio station, and an inclination to acquire certain relevant skills. According to one forecast, more than 300 stations will require 20,000 skilled radio professionals over the next year," iterates Kohli, who is also the founder director of the Academy of Radio Management (ARM), South Asia's first full-time broadcast school.

Popularly know as RJ Simran from Red FM's breakfast show, she adds, "ARM offers 360-degree training on all aspects of radio broadcasting. We have courses conducted in accordance with international guidelines, for aspirants seeking jobs as radio jockeys (RJs), producers, copy writers, music managers, sound engineers, schedulers, or any and every profile within the scope of radio management."

The programmes offered at ARM include: three-month certificate courses each in radio jockeying, radio production, creative communication, and radio marketing/sales, apart from a one-year diploma in radio management, which combines all the subjects addressed by each of the certificate courses. "We are the only such academy equipped with our own broadcast studio, comprising the latest radio equipment for hands-on technical experience," says Kohli, adding, "For training assistance, we have tied up with two of the world's leading radio solutions providers, Broadcast Electronics and Technomedia, while for broadcast software, we have a collaboration with Audio Vault. Moreover, our full-time industry trained faculty also provides customised courses to suit the needs of radio employers."

The ARM centre in the Capital is at 1st floor, 30, Hauz Khas Village. For information on the courses offered by ARM, log on to www.arm.net.in or call 011-64536660/1.