CUTTACK: In a development that would certainly bring cheers to listeners, the immensely popular Vividh Bharati service of All India Radio, Cuttack, has moved to the FM platform and is now available on mobile phones, car stereos, Internet in addition to transistors.
The radio service aired at a frequency of 100.4 mhz now reaches people over a radius of 60-65 km, covering Cuttack and several other adjoining districts. The shift has enhanced coverage area substantially and brought listeners high quality transmission and reception.
Vividh Bharati Cuttack was being aired over medium wave frequency through a 1 KW transmitter. From Tuesday, the service has moved to the FM platform with a powerful transmitter of 10 KW.
“The service will now reignite interest among the vast section of the populace, who were gradually losing touch due to obsolescence of conventional radio. By being available on a vast variety of devices from mobile phones to computers, the service will cater to every section from youth to old”, Director Engineering, AIR Cuttack, SC Subudhi said.
Vividh Bharati Cuttack had gone on air in 1975, covering an area of 25 km aerial distance with around 19 lakh population. The service, a household favourite for years through its eclectic mix of entertainment programmes including the ageless ‘Chitralok’, ‘Bhule Bisre Geet’, ‘Aap Ki Farmayish’, ‘Pitara’, ‘Manchahe Geet’ and the like, is aired in three separate transmissions from 5.55 am to 11.05 am, 11.58 am to 5.30 pm and 6.15 pm to 11.10 pm everyday. It broadcasts as many as 33 programmes a day with Odia transmissions between 8.15 am and 8.30 am, 9.15am -11 am and 6.15 pm-7 pm.
“ Within next 10 days, the service will be available almost uninterrupted from 5.55 am to 11.10 pm with only a single break from 5.30 pm to 6.15 pm”, station head, commercial broadcasting service of AIR Cuttack Subash Mohanty said.
He said there will be a special broadcast on Rath Yatra festival on July 17 from 10 am to 11 am. It will disseminate information on the preparations and arrangements for the Rath Yatra to the people planning to visit Puri. Special programmes will also be broadcast on Rath Yatra day.