Date:19/03/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/03/19/stories/2004031901421700.htm

Back Japa4 goes off air

K.V. Kurmanath

Hyderabad , March 18

JAPA4, the first private FM radio channel in the State, has gone off air, after a 14-month run.

The last of the programmes was aired on March 6.

Lack of support from the advertisers seemed to be the reason for the abrupt end to the channel, which claimed to have a listener base of 20 lakh.

The channel gained popularity among the youth, with anchors speaking in Telugu, Urdu, Hindi and English. The deviation from the set pattern had been received well.

The promoters, however, insisted that it was just a temporary halt. "We are confident of making a comeback in June," Mr Ilyas Ahmed, Chairman of Japa4, told Business Line. "We will come out with better content and sponsorship," he said.

The channel was airing its programmes for two hours using All India Radio's infrastructure. The promoters had reportedly spent nearly Rs 70 lakh so far.

"Advertisements were coming in as the reception for our programmes was picking up," Mr Ilyas said. Some media houses too showed interest in the project.

"But the process takes some time before fructifying. It will take at least two months," Mr Ilyas said, supporting his claim for the revival.