Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM is a nationwide network of private FM Radio Station in India. The Radio Station is owned by Entertainment Network India Ltd (ENIL), which is one of the subsidiaries of The Times Group. Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM, derived its name from the Hindi word "Mirchi" which literally means Chilli. The tagline of the popular FM station Radio Mirchi is It`s Hot. Radio Mirchi was established under Times FM, which is probably the most famous Indian Radio Channel that began operating in 1993. In February, 2012, Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM was launched in United Arab Emirates in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Media. Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM also presents the Mirchi Music Awards which is given to honour the artistic and technical brilliance of various professionals in Hindi film music.
History of Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM
Radio Mirchi started its operation in Indore in the year 1993 and was initially known as Times FM. Till 1993, it was only All India Radio or AIR, which is a Government undertaking, functioned as sole Radio Broadcaster in India. The Government eventually undertook several schemes to privatise the radio broadcasting sector. It marketed airtime blocks on FM channels in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Indore, New Delhi, Kolkata, Goa and Vizag to private operators, who eventually created their own original program content. The Times Group operated its radio content brand, Times FM, upto June 1998. After that, the Government did not renew any further contracts offered to private operators.
In 2000, the Government declared the auction of 108 FM frequencies across the country. Entertainment Network India Ltd got the maximum amount of frequencies, and so initiated their new operations under the presently famous brand name of Radio Mirchi. In 2006, Radio Mirchi achieved 25 frequencies in the second round of licenses, which were provided by the Central Government. This advanced the existence of Radio Mirchi across 32 centers. The first service of Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM was initiated in Indore in order to attract sponsors by providing and economic and effective deal. On 23rd July, 2007, Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM started in Aurangabad. In 2007, services were also started in Varanasi, Surat, Vizag, Mangalore, Lucknow, Madurai and Nagpur. This radio channel started in Thiruvananthapuram on 28th January, 2008 and in Jabalpur on 14th February, 2008. Currently, Radio Mirchi operates in more than 33 cities, including the 6 metros of India.
Programmes of Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM
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. Moreover, Radio Mirchi has also launched an Audio-Book based programme in Kolkata, named Sunday Suspense. The show presents thrilling and horror stories of Satyajit Ray and other eminent Bengali writers. The show has been a massive hit in the region.
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.
