Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM is a nationwide network of private FM radio stations in India. The Entertainment Network India Ltd (ENIL) is one of the subsidiaries of The Times Group and the owner of Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM.
Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM derived its name from the word "Mirchi" that is known as chili in Hindi. The tagline of Radio Mirchi is "It`s hot!". The original founder of Radio Mirchi was Times FM, which is probably the most famous Indian radio channel that began operating in 1993. Until 1993, it was only All India Radio or AIR, a government undertaking that functioned as radio broadcaster in India. The government eventually took several initiatives to privatize the radio broadcasting sector. It sold airtime blocks on its FM channels in Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Vizag and Goa to private operators, who developed their own program content. The Times Group operated its radio content brand, Times FM, until June 1998. After that, the government did not renew contracts given to private operators.
In 2000, the government announced the auction of 108 FM frequencies across India. ENIL won the largest number of frequencies, and thus started its operations under the presently famous brand name Radio Mirchi. In January 2006, Radio Mirchi achieved 25 frequencies in the second wave of licenses, issued by the Government of India. This advanced the presence of Radio Mirchi across 32 centers. The first wave of Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM was launched in Indore. On 23 July 2007, Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM started in Aurangabad. This radio channel started in Jabalpur on 14 Feb 2008. Currently, Radio Mirchi operates in more than 33 cities, including the 6 metros of India.
The popular taglines of Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM in different cities are as follows -
| Delhi "Its Hot" |
Bangalore Tagline "Sakat hot maga!" |
Gwalior Tagline "Gwalior Jhoome" |
Kolkata Tagline "Michi shone j always khushi thake se." |
Vadodara Tagline "Radio Mirchi Shune mon always khush " |
| Ahmedabad Tagline "Radio Mirchi - It`s hot" |
Chennai Tagline "Idhu semmma hot machchi!" |
Madurai Tagline "Idhu semmma hot machchi !" |
Nasik Tagline "Mirchi Sunne wale Always Khush" &"Garam Ahe!" |
Thiruvananthapuram Tagline "Sangathi HOT aanu!" |
| Maharashtra Tagline "Mirchi Sunne Wale Always Khush" |
Coimbatore Tagline "Idhu semmma hot machchi!" |
Hyderabad Tagline "Idi chaala hot guru!" |
Pune Tagline "Radio Mirchi - It`s Hot" / Radio Mirchi - Tikhat Aahe! |
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Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM claims to reach almost 70% of FM radio listeners in Mumbai and Delhi. Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM has started providing Visual Radio to its subscribers in Delhi since 25 July 2006 onwards and in Mumbai from September 2006. Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM also started its Visual Radio service from Kolkata recently. Some of the Popular shows of Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM are Khoobsurat, Total Filmy, Dr. Love and many others. Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM hosts a show called Hi Delhi early in the morning, featuring news. Similarly the name of the show changes according to the city; in Kolkata, the show is called Hi Kolkata, anchored by RJ Mir. RJ Anant, RJ Saurabh, RJ Safia, RJ Stutee, RJ Sree, RJ Deep, RJ Mir are some of the most popular radio jockeys of Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM.
Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM has reached a unique stature and popularity in its respective cities. The identity of Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM has become a familiar name in Indian audio medium of communication.
