CRI 60th Birth day Quiz

1. In which month did CRI's English Service begin?
September 11

October 1

July 1

2. Where is the head office of CRI's English Service located?
Beijing, China

Shanghai, China

Guangzhou, China

3. Who was our first announcer?
Wei Lin

Li Peichun

Qi Zhi

4. Which of the following was CRI's first overseas FM radio station?
91.9 FM in Nairobi, Kenya

103.7 FM in Darhan, Mongolia

93.0 FM in Vientiane, Laos

104.9FM in Perth, Australia

5.What is our bi-monthly newsletter called?
China Messenger

The Messenger

Chinastic

6. How did you come across CRI's English Service?
From radio

From the Internet

Recommended by a friend

Other sources

7.Which of the following is the official website of CRI's English Service?
CRI.cn

CRI.com

CRIENGLISH.com

8. In which year was our official website launched?
1997

1998

1999

9. What is our online radio channel called?
Audio

Webcast

Podcast

10. What's the name of our domestic FM radio broadcast in Beijing?
Hit FM

Easy FM

News Radio

For online entry visit

http://english.cri.cn/tools/online/criquiz60/

Life on Air: A History of Radio Four

David Hendy

Price: £25.00 (hardback)

ISBN-13: 978-0-19-924881-0

Publication date: 27 September 2007

500 pages, 16pp plate section,

234x156 mm

Description

First major behind-the-scenes history of a British cultural icon
The inside stories behind some of radio's best-loved programmes, from Today to The Archers
Draws on vast BBC archives and new interviews with key personnel
Full analysis of bitter disputes between the BBC and the station's fiercely protective listeners
Coincides with Radio Four's 40th anniversary in September 2007
A compelling insight into the very nature of British life and culture
Radio Four has been described as 'the greatest broadcasting channel in the world', the 'heartbeat of the BBC', a cultural icon of Britishness, and the voice of Middle England. Defined by its rich mix, encompassing everything from journalism and drama to comedy, quizzes, and short-stories, its programmes - such as Today ,The Archers, Woman's Hour, The Hitchhiker's Guide To the Galaxy, Gardeners' Question Time, and The Shipping Forecast - have been part of British life for decades. Others, less successful, have caused offence and prompted derision. Born as it was in the Swinging Sixties, Radio Four's central challenge has been to change with the times, while trying not to lose faith with those who see it as a standard-bearer for quality, authoritativeness, or simply 'old-fashioned' BBC values.In this first major behind-the-scenes account of the station's history, David Hendy - a former producer for Radio Four - draws on privileged access to the BBC's own archives and new interviews with key personnel to illuminate the arguments and controversies behind the creation of some of its most popular programmes. He reveals the station's struggle to justify itself in a television age, favouring clear branding and tightly-targeted audiences, with bitter disputes between the BBC and its fiercely loyal listeners. The story of these struggles is about more than the survival of one radio network: Radio Four has been a lightning rod for all sorts of wider social anxieties over the past forty years. A kaleidoscopic view of the changing nature of the BBC, the book provides a gripping insight into the very nature of British life and culture in the last decades of the twentieth century. Readership: Radio Four listeners; all readers with an interest in British cultural history; scholars and students of history and media studies.

Authors, editors, and contributors
David Hendy, Reader in Media and Communication, University of Westminster

(Via BDXC - UK)

Listening to Tamil radio the China way

ERODE: Avid radio listener from Perundurai, K. Paramasivan ran out of a cinema hall in the middle of the show and came back after an hour. The reason he did that was to listen to his favourite radio programme. "The one hour programme has been my favourite for over two decades and there has been not a day when I have missed the programme," he says. "It is so wonderfully packed with world news and cultural programmes that it has become a part of parcel of my life.” There are more than 30,000 loyal listeners like Mr. Paramasivan, who religiously tune into short wave (SW) 31.04 m to listen to these voices coming from the across the Himalayas. The programme is from China Radio International’s (CRI) Tamil Division, where the Tamil Service has been on since August 1, 1963.It starts every evening at 7.30 IST with news, news snippets and includes programmes on Chinese culture, stories, music, etc."
Listeners like Mr. Paramasivan did not just stop with listening to the Service; they also mailed the broadcasters, participated in the competition and won prizes, which included a trip to China. So much has been the overwhelming response from Tamil listeners that among all the international service in CRI, Tamil Service tops the list for maximum number of listeners’ letters.
"Last year CRI received 5.2 lakh letters, of which 3.5 lakh alone where from Tamil listeners for the Tamil Service," says S. Selvam, a listener from Villupuram. These listeners got together and have formed Anaithu Inthiya Cheena Vanoli Neyar Mandram (All-India CRI listeners’ forum).
"Every district barring Nilgris has got a listeners’ club," says Mr. Selvam, who is the club’s president. The listeners’ club conducts an annual meet in the State, which is well attended. "We are like a family and use that day to meet other family members," says Mr. Paramasivan. Not only that, the CRI encourages readers to participate in competitions.
Every year it selects a winner and sponsors a trip to China. For other listeners who regularly interact with the Service, it sends gifts. Given the popularity of the programme in the State, it appears that through air waves the people of the two countries have established a link much before the Governments agreed to open the Nathu La pass in Sikkim for trade.

///////////////

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/10/

stories/2007091052840500.htm

BES Review Apr-June 2007

BES Review is a quarterly publication of "Broadcasting Engineering Society(India)" containing articles on latest development in the field of broadcasting and related science.APRIL - JUNE 2007 issue (4.46 MB) is now availbale for download using this link :http://www.besindia.com/april-june07.pdf

Via Alokesh GuptaNew Delhi, India.

Digital Radio Guide

The World Broadcasting Union's Digital Radio Guide is for use by engineersand managers in the radio broadcast community worldwide. It covers a widebase of digital radio technology and services, written by the technicalexperts who work with them. Along with gaining an understanding of digitalradio, readers will also acquire insights into international digitalterrestrial and satellite transmission systems including:- Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM)- Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB - Eureka 147)- Japan's Digital Radio Broadcasting (ISDB-TSB)- iBiquity's HD Radio System (IBOC)- WorldSpace- Sirius and XM Satellite Radio- Mobile Broadcasting Corp. and TU Media Corp.- Internet RadioThe guide includes references to relevant sources and websites withtechnical descriptions of the aforementioned systems.The Digital Radio Guide has been compiled by the World Broadcasting UnionsTechnical Committee and can be downloaded by clicking on this link :http://www.nabanet.com/wbuarea/

library/Docs/Public/DRG-2007.pdfThe Guide should be cited as a reference if any of its content is used in other publications.

(Source : World Broadcasting Unions Via Alokesh GuptaNew Delhi, India)

The 1000KW transmitters at Chinsurah in West Bengal

The radio transmission system in the border areas isbeing augmented to strengthen the coverage there, theRajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday. In a written reply, Minister of Information andBroadcasting PR Dasmunsi said several projects andinstallations of transmitters in Jammu and Kashmir andthe North-Eastern states are underway. The Minister said Phase-1 of Jammu and Kashmir SpecialPlan has been completed under which nine projects havebeen commissioned and three are technically ready. In North-East, two FM transmitters at Itanagar andKohima are ready. Under the special plan, 1KWtransmitter at 19 new spots, 5KW transmitter atSilchar, 10KW transmitter at Gangtok and 100transmitters of 100KW have been approved for uncoveredareas. The 1000KW transmitters at Chinsurah in West Bengaland Rajkot have also been replaced by new ones, theMinister said. //////////////
Source:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/
News_By_Industry/Media__Entertainment_/
Radio_transmission_in_border_areas_being_
augmented_Dasmunsi/articleshow/2301069.cms

KCHIBO KK-S500 Digital Receiver

KCHIBO KK-S500 DIGITAL DUAL CONVERSION / SYNCHRONOUSDETECTION SHORTWAVE / FM STEREO / MW RADIO

Ebay seller "Liypn" has listed a new Kchibo KK-S500 Digital Receiver,details as following :FM : 76 -108 MHzMW : 520 - 1620 KHz. (9 or 10 KHz. steps)SW : 1620 - 29999 KHz. This radio is New In Box, 100% Brand New from the manufacturerin China,NOT Used, NOT Refurbished. Super large LCD display with digital display of frequency andthe pointing dial simultaneously 1000 Stations Memory Presets (200 each for MW & SW, 600 for FM) (Will not lose memory even without battery inside radio) Direct input of frequency, knob tuning, pre-set memory and scanning tuning methods are supported. Dual conversion and synchronous detection on SW bands, very sensitive and good selectivity! Excellent sound quality, loud and clear! FM Stereo Listening by earphone. Automatic turn on of radio by setting the timers. With headphone socket, for private stereo FM listening!Dimensions: 5.9 x 3.5 x 1.4 inches / 150 x 90 x 35 mm. Battery: Uses 3 AA size 1.5V. battery. The package that you are bidding comes with the radio, a velvetcloth radio bag, stereo earphone, 3 x rechargeable Ni-MH batteries, AC adapter (220V)and wire antenna.Manual in ENGLISH in pdf format will be provided FOR FREESIX MONTHS MANUFACTURER WARRANTY FROM DATE OFSHIPMENTLabels on this radio are in ChineseWill ship to anywhere in the word by Air Mail Parcel Post with insurance(7 to 10 days delivery). Copy & paste this link on your browser to view the listing :http://tinyurl.com/2htcvf

"KCHIBO KK-S500 Digital Receiver"

New KCHIBO KK-S7600 receiver with remote

Someone left following comment on my blog with details of the new Kchibo KK-S7600 receiver with remote.Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "KCHIBO KK-S500 Digital Receiver": I'm interested in another Kchibo radio the s7600 which I have seen details for, but nobody is selling it, as yet. I can't paste the url here. But the portable is slightly larger than the s500 and includes a remote.The s500 is more expensive than the better know Kaito/Degen 1102,03 radios. Whether the performance is superior to those two portables is questionable and won't be know untill it is reviewed. http://bbs.leowood.net/web/leowood

/forum/photobook.asp?page=1&name=radiolove&ClassID=0

Pictures courtesy the link mentioned above. Via Alokesh Gupta.

ABC's 75 Birth Day Compettition

You can win a $100 gift voucher to spend in any of the ABC Shops or Centres, and qualify for the Birthday Prize Draw to win:

A visit from Fifi & Bumble to your school or daycare centre Plus, a mega pack of Fifi goodies including: Fifi mini jumping castle; Fifi's DVD collection; book library collection; plush toy collection; cottage play set; Fifi back pack, hat, sunglasses and Fifi learning blocks!

A family entertainment pack of DVDs and CDs from the ABC Shop including some all time classic DVDs such as:

Da Kath & Kim Code (plus bonus Live in London Uncut)Curtain Not All Tea and SconesGrassroots (Series 2)My Family and Other Animals Opera Australia's "The Pirates of Penzance"BBC's "The Queen at Eighty"Australian Opera's "Manon"Sydney Symphony Orchestra's "Discovery" triplej's "Hottest 100" (Volume 14 JVD and CD )plus an additional 25 CDs from ABC's extensive catalogue

To enter, simply tell us in 50 words or less about your favourite ABC moment from the last 75 years. Then attend an ABC 75th Birthday Event to enter your competition form at the ABC Exhibition Trailer for your chance to win!

Fpr more details visit: http://www.abc.net.au/corp/

history/75years/competition.htm

DRM / DAB Capable Receiver Himalaya 2009 is Officially Launched

DRM / DAB Capable Receiver Himalaya 2009 is Officially Launched

Long time DRM supporter Himalaya (Power) Electronics is proud to present theDRM 2009 to the European market. Based on the experience of manufacturingthe first two DRM receivers, namely the Mayah DRM2010 and the CodingTechnologies Digital World Traveller, Himalaya (Power) Electronics ispleased to deliver a new generation of high quality DRM receivers which ismore affordable than ever.The Himalaya DRM2009 is a standalone radio which supports DAB/DRM/AM/FMservices. It is a real portable receiver that could be run either by AC orbatteries. With the SDcard slot, it can also be used as a MP3 player. Inaddition to MP3 playback features, the SDcard can be used for scheduledrecordings of DAB/DRM programmes. Furthermore, features of Play/Pause forDAB and DRM services are supported through the internal memory. EPG(Electronic Programme Guide) is also supported for DAB service. Thespecialized user interface allows for easy navigation of these advancedradio features.DRM2009 uses an advanced Radioscape multiband module, allowing reception ofa wide range of digital and analog services. DRM2009 is a truly portable andflexible system.Further information about the receiver can be found underhttp://www.himalaya.com.hk/You can order the receiver in Germany and in Austria from the T-Online Shopon http://www.t-online-shop.de/ and from the Charly Hardt´s web sitehttp://www.charly-hardt.de/ .

About Himalaya (Power) ElectronicsHimalaya (Power) Electronics was founded in 1974. For three decades,Himalaya has established a good reputation of producing high qualityconsumer electronics products. Having developed and produced a large varietyof audio electronics products, Himalaya is one of the most experiencedmanufacturers based in Hong Kong. Our specialization has been successfullyshifted to digital products such as digital flash-based audio recorders,radio-controlled atomic clocks, multi-band & RDS portable radios, carstereos, weather alert clock radios and direct key-in world band PLL radios.For the last few years, we have become a key supporter for the new digitalradio standard of Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM). In 2004, we have helped tobring the two most advanced DRM receivers, DRM 2010 and Digital WorldTraveller (USB radio), to the market. Our most recent DRM receivers are theDRM2008 and DRM2009.

About Mayah® CommunicationsMAYAH® Communications' main objective is the development and distribution ofinnovative hiqh quality solutions for audio and audio/video communicationsin broadcast and corporate networks. Focus is given to standardized audioand video formats, such as MPEG-1, -2 and 4 as well as proprietary butaccepted formats such as E/apt-X, ADPCM4SB and others. The company islocated in a nice modern office park just a few minutes away from MunichAirport. Touching base with radio and TV customers in the media metropoleMunich, MAYAH has an optimum location for international business.About Coding TechnologiesCoding Technologies provides the best audio compression for mobile,broadcasting, and Internet. SBR (Spectral Band Replication) from CodingTechnologies is a backward and forward compatible method to enhance theefficiency of any audio codec; putting the "PRO" in mp3PRO and the "Plus" inaacPlus. Parametric Stereo from Coding Technologies and Philips againsignificantly increases the efficiency of audio codecs for stereo signals atlow bit rates. Products from Coding Technologies are fundamental enablers ofopen standards such as 3GPP, 3GPP2, MPEG, DVB, Digital Radio Mondiale, HDRadio, and the DVD Forum.About DRMDRM (TM) is the only universal, openly standardised, digital radio system forshort-wave, medium-wave and long-wave - digital radio for frequencies below30MHz. It has been endorsed by the ITU, and is standardised as ETSI ES 201980. While DRM currently covers the broadcasting bands below 30 MHz, the DRMconsortium is extending the system to the broadcasting bands up to 120 MHz.DRM has near-FM sound quality plus the ease-of-use that comes from digitaltransmissions, combined with long range and low power consumption. Acontinuously growing number of commercial, public, international, nationaland local broadcasters are already broadcasting DRM transmissions intoEurope and North America, Mexico, Russia, China, India and other regions.Multi-standard, DRM-capable consumer radios were introduced, and areavailable in different on-line shops (e.g. www.igear.com ). Furtherinformation on DRMTM can be found under: www.drm.org.

DRM Members

Commercial Radio Australia (Australia); TDP, TDP Radio, RTBF (Belgium);Nautel Ltd., Radio Canada International/ CBC (Canada); Academy ofBroadcasting Science of China, Communications University of China, SoutheastUniversity Nanjing (China); RIZ Transmitters (Croatia); HFCC (CzechRepublic); Aalborg University (Denmark); ESPOL, HCJB Global (Ecuador);Digita Oy, Kymenlaakso Polytechnik (Finland); CCETT, DIGIDIA, DRF Committee,Radio France, TDF, Thomson Broadcast & Multimedia (France); ADDX, APR, AtmelGermany GmbH, Coding Technologies GmbH, Deutsche Welle, DeutschlandRadio,DLM, Sender Europa 1, Fraunhofer IIS, Georg-Simon- Ohm - University ofApplied Sciences Nuremberg, Harman/Becker Automotive Systems GmbH, IRT, LMKRheinland-Pfalz, Medienanstalt Sachsen-Anhalt, Micronas GmbH, Nero AG,Panasonic Automotive Systems Europe; Robert Bosch GmbH, Sony DeutschlandGmbH, SWR Südwestrundfunk, TRANSRADIO SenderSysteme Berlin AG, T-SystemsIntl. GmbH, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, University ofApplied Sciences Merseburg, University of Kassel, University of Hanover,University of Ulm, VPRT (Germany); Antenna Hungaria, National CommunicationsAuthority Hungary (Hungary); Basamad College, Tehran (Iran); RAI Way, STMicroelectronics (Italy); Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc., NEC Corporation,NHK (Japan); Telecommunications Technology Association (Korea); LibyanJamahiriya Broadcasting (Libya); Broadcasting Center Europe (Luxembourg) ;Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (Malaysia); La Red de Radiodifusoras yTelevisoras Educativas y Culturales de México (Mexico); Agentschap Telecom,CATENA Radio Design, NXP Semiconductors, OLON, Radio Netherlands, TechnicalUniversity Delft (Netherlands) ; Radio New Zealand International (NewZealand); Voice of Nigeria (Nigeria); Telenor/Norkring (Norway);Radiodifusao Portuguesa (Portugal); RTRN/Voice of Russia (Russia);Government of Catalonia, Cadena SER - Sociedad Española de Radiodifusión,Universidad del Pais Vasco (Spain); SR International/ Radio Sweden (Sweden);EBU, International Committee of the Red Cross, ITU, VSP - Verband SchweizerPrivatradios (Switzerland) ; Arab States Broadcasting Union (Tunisia); BBC,Christian Vision, Digital One Ltd., RadioScape Plc., VT Communications, WRN(U.K.); Analog Devices, Broadcast Electronics, Inc., Dolby Laboratories,Inc., Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corp., Continental Electronics Corp.,Harris Corp., Broadcast Communications Division - IBB/VOA, NationalAssociation of Short-wave Broadcasters, TCI International, Inc., TexasInstruments, Inc., Via Licensing Corp. (U.S.A.); and Vatican Radio (VaticanCity).

Press ReleaseFor Immediate Release: July, 18, 2007Contact: Fanny Podworny, DRM, http://in.f85.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=pressoffice%40drm.orgTelephone number: +49 228 429 3105

(source : drm.org Via Alokesh GuptaNew Delhi, India).

The handbook: “Working with the Radio”

It works at the turn of a button and a twist of a knob, it needs no electricity, and it is a portable box of information and entertainment. It is little wonder that the radio is the most ubiquitous piece of technology in the country. But are the opportunities it provides being fully utilised by NGOs in their development activities?
Not quite, according to the Bangalore-based Communication for Development and Learning (CDL), a non-profit organisation that works to “facilitate the use of communication as an integral part of the development process.” To help NGOs tap the scope of the medium, CDL has now produced a handbook, “Working with the Radio”. The handbook aims to “demystify” the medium of radio for first-time users and also suggests options for developing their own programmes.
The figures speak for themselves, says CDL: only 60 per cent of the country’s population is literate and can read the newspaper; only 10 per cent of households have television sets; only 1.2 per cent of the population have access to the internet. Radio, on the other hand, which reaches 91.42 per cent of the country’s geographical area and 99.13 per cent of the population, ought therefore to be “the preferred medium, for not only advertisers and media planners, but also for NGOs.”
Why this is not so can be explained by our notions of the radio as being a “mysterious and highly technical medium” that is “cloistered behind high walls and inside dark buildings”, according to CDL executive director, Shangon Das Gupta. Besides, history has shown that radio stations emerge as the first point of contact between locations of disaster and the rest of the world, the handbook points out.
When the Titanic sank in 1912, it was a radio station that picked up information from a wireless transmission device getting the rescue mission to swing into action, thus saving hundreds of lives; radio similarly proved vital after the Bhuj earthquake of 2001.
More recently, during the 2004 tsunami, the radio became the most important means of communication between the Andaman islands and the mainland .
The handbook is priced at Rs. 100. Visit http://www.cdlblr.org/ or call 25503481 for more information. [Source: The Hindu]

New Competition from CRI

[ Photos & Essays Wanted ]
What does Hong Kong mean to you? Is it the enchanting Victoria Harbor? The view from the Peak? Or movie stars such as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan or Maggie Cheung? Give us your idea in a photograph or essay, as China marks 10 years since resuming the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong.
Participants are welcome to submit their articles or photographs through the online forum of CRIENGLISH.com. Readers can decide on the titles of their submitted works, but the content should be relevant to the stated theme.
The best photos will be included in an online photo album of CRIENGLISH.com and may have a chance to be shown on Channel 9 of China Central Television. The best essays will be included in an online collection of stories about Hong Kong by CRIENGLISH.com and may be broadcast on the radio channels of China Radio International.
Deadline: July 30, 2007

[ Photo ]1. Images should be no smaller than 600x600 pixels and formatted in JPEG no larger than 1024kbs. 2. Please retain your original files in case you are asked to provide them. 3. Please include a description in English of your photo, including when and in what situation it was taken.

[ Essay ]1. The essays must be written in English. 2. Each essay should contain no less than 250 words.
///////////////
Source: http://english.cri.cn/events/
hongkong30/index.html

93.5 Suryan FM ties up with public buses in Jaipur to air station

Sun Network's radio venture, 93.5 Suryan FM (SFM), has tied up with the public transport luxury style star buses in Jaipur to air their station.
The station has been authorised to use 25 such buses and incorporate their branding on the vehicle. The aim is to increase listenership figures for the station.
"We have recieved permission to air 93.5 SFM in 25 buses across Jaipur. We have also branded the buses both outside and inside," says 93.5 SFM manager business development V.Sridhar.

Estimated to reach an audience of 14,00,000 within a month, the service will be operational from 7 am to 11 pm.
An official announcement issued by the station states, "Bus payouts in Jaipur gives us exposure to a minimum of 14,00,000 audience in a month and will help us during ILT or Ram if it happens in that city."
The city to be targeted next is Hyderabad, where a similar activity will be run.

SFM is positioned as a youthful hit station catering to SEC A, B and C audience.
It is currently operational in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Jaipur and will roll out 45 more stations, with Bhubaneswar next on the cards.

BBC's infotainment updates on Radio One Chennai

FM channel Radio One will ginger up its content with non-news infotainment updates in Tamil by global major BBC. Announcing a tie-up with BBC for providing content, Mr L.V. Navaneeth, Station Head, Radio One-Chennai, said the new 20-minute infotainment updates will be aired once in 20 minutes during the `breakfast show' from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. from June 6. In other words, the infotainment capsules and `breakfast show' features such as film songs, will alternate every 20 minutes.
"In a couple of months from now, this will be aired throughout the day as we have been doing in Delhi and Mumbai," he said.
Changes in programming
That apart, the channel has also made changes in its programming mix to ensure its core promise — pure entertainment — with slice of life or humorous titbits once in every 20 minutes.
According to Mr Navaneeth, the 20-minute plan was conceived after a study that says no one listens to one channel for more than that period of time.
The channel has roped in popular RJ Suchitra to host the breakfast show.
Talking about the programming partnership with Radio One, the BBC's Business Development Head, Asia-Pacific, Mr Neil Curry, said the non-news infotainment updates would focus on business, sports and entertainment.
According to him, outside the UK, 183 million listeners tune into BBC at least once in a week.
`Open to partnership'
Asked whether BBC would form similar partnership with other FM channels, he said BBC is open to the idea, "but only in towns that are not covered by Radio One".
BBC has 20 per cent stake in Mid-Day Multimedia, the promoter of Radio One.
The company has licenses to operate FM stations in four metros and big cities such as Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Pune.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/

06/06/stories/2007060602820500.htm

Dxers Guide April - June 2007

AIR Conducts Trial of Digital Radio Transmission in MW / SW bands

Highlights of DRM system in AIR

Friends FM from Kolkata

Chennai Big FM on social responsibility

R a d i o s t a t i o n s h a v e b e e n j ump i n g o n t h e c o r p o r a t e s o c i a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y ( C S R ) bandwagon as part of their marketing exercise. The benefi ts derived from such activities, although not measurable in commercial terms, are highly rewarding. One station that has gone big on CSR is Big 92.7FM. Since its launch in September 2006, t h e s t a t i o n h a s ma d e t h e effort to support numerous causes as part of their CSR campaigns. A case in point; the day the station went on air in Chennai, it organised a walk near the city’s Marina beach in its support to create awareness on traffi c safety. The station has also used t h e i r ma r k e t i n g mu s c l e t o w e a v e i n f i l m s t a r s a n d sportsmen to promote their activities. Causes to support t h e p l i g h t o f u n f o r t u n a t e children have been big in many of its campaigns’ focus. Tamil actress, Asin, celebrated her birthday with 40 children from an orphanage and RJ Dheena was involved in a campaign supporting children with HIV/AIDS. And leveraging on their sponsorship status as official radio partner of the premier hockey league (PHL), it organised for the Chennai h o c k e y t e a m ( C h e n n a i Veerans) and RJ Gopi to visit cancer-stricken children at the government cancer hospital. A c t i v i t i e s i n t h e f i r s t s i x months have also included the following: • A free eye check up camp a l o n g w i t h a R o t a r y e y e hospital, resulting in free eye check-ups for around 1000 people. • An event to honour local heroes, such as Dr. Kanaga, who is Asia’s fi rst female neuro surgeon. • A b i k e r a l l y t o s p r e a d awareness on the importance of using helmets. • A morning walk to spread awareness of keeping healthy and to make exercise a regular routine. W h a t m a k e s t h e t r e n d interesting is that the station has never asked for sponsors to fund these activities, as the entire cost has been borne by the station’s marketing budget. So this begs the question, why does the station adopt this strategy? Zarine Jalil Menon, station manager, BIG 92.7 Chennai, thinks the money is well spent and the effort well worth the trouble. "As a radio station, we want to be well connected with our listeners. To do that, we need to address their issues a n d c o n c e r n s , w h a t e v e r t h e y m i g h t b e . " Menon also believes that if the station is able to create public awareness of certain issues, "all of us [can only] gain from it." The station doesn’t isolate a n y o n e c a u s e a s m o r e important than the other, as Menon says, "We will highlight any cause which deserves attention. We have had our l i s t e n e r s c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e medical expenses of children who could not afford it. If such instances come to our notice, we will defi nitely highlight them and involve our listeners in the alleviation of the problem." A l t h o u g h , a c c o r d i n g t o Menon, the benefits from the spend are visible, they are not c omme rc i a l l y me a s u r a b l e . "Through such activities, our listeners and advertisers see us as a responsible station. As we have stuck to CSR from the time we launched, the city sees our conviction in our own policy, and that is very important for our reputation- building."