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IBF to admit radio companies

Our Bureau

NEW DELHI, Oct. 29

THE Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), the apex industry body for broadcasting companies, will now allow radio companies to become members.

This was decided by the board of the IBF at a recent annual general meeting held in Mumbai. ``It was felt that radio companies are also part of the broadcasting industry and they should be allowed to become members,'' an IBF official said.

Also several of the IBF members are involved in both radio as well as television. ``Since members like TV Today, Sun TV and even Star have some interest in the radio business, it makes sense to have a single forum, instead of two separate ones to take up the various industry concerns,'' said industry sources.

So far none of the radio companies have become members, but officials said that informally companies have approached the foundation.

Some of the main private FM radio players, like Living Media's Radio Today, Mid-Day Group's Radio Mid-Day and others, came together almost a year ago and have been functioning as an informal group called the Radio Group.

``The Radio Group has been taking up the cause of the radio companies and has been making joint representations with the Government. But now, becoming a part of a bigger organisation would definitely help, especially since the FM radio is all set to open in the next few months,'' said an official from a radio company.

However, the fate or the structure of the existing Radio Group is not clear. Sources said that the Radio Group could either exist as a separate division within the IBF or could be totally disbanded. A decision on that would be taken shortly by the member s, said officials.