Welcome to new-age Kashmir; you have tuned into City FM JK, the first online android FM radio station that knows "how to have fun".
Welcome to new-age Kashmir; you have tuned into City FM JK, the first online android FM radio station that knows "how to have fun".
For a change, the terror plagued Jammu and Kashmir has joined the league of extraordinary states that has taken a big technological leap and started its first online radio station.
Who started the Radio station?
Thanks to young Mass Communication graduate Tariq Ahmad Salfi, the City FM JK, has become a runaway hit not only in the valley but among the Kashmir Diaspora. "We have almost five million listeners across the globe. Such is the response that our server crashed as thousands were tuning in some days ago," Salfi told dna.
What was the cost of this project?
Established at the cost of Rs 12 lakh, the radio station housed in the heart of Srinagar city, is transmitting programmes in Kashmiri, English, Hindi and Urdu languages which is creating waves globally. "Believe it I had only Rs 10,000 in my pocket when this idea struck me. I was financially broke since my cable television channel was shut by the government in 2010. I had also suffered losses in my newspaper," said Salfi.
How did he manage the finances?
Luck however had other things in store for Salfi whose determination to put Kashmir on the global technological map remained unparalleled amidst adversity. "I gave my proposal to the government but there was no response. I then approached the bank which was thrilled by the idea. Believe me they sanctioned my loan in just three hours," he said.
When was the radio station and its app formally launched?
City FM JK was launched on website last year as a pilot project. But after gauging the response, the management decided to create an android app for reaching to wider audience.
"By the end of 2014 our technical team in Bangalore launched an app. And by the grace of God the response is huge. We are getting 50 to 60 mails daily from the listeners living in different countries. Let me tell you this venture has not given me profit but I am not incurring losses. I am getting advertisements to run the show," he said.
Since the penetration of the internet is not high in Kashmir, Salfi has come up with a novel idea of running the radio on 2G also. "We have taken care of everything. People who have 2G internet connection will be able to tune in to our radio," said Salfi.
Who are the people behind the show?
With a team of 15 people, City FM JK has hired some of the biggest RJs in the market to make it a brand in and outside Kashmir. "Our catch line --Panun Radio Panun style (Our Radio, Our style)... has taken everybody by storm. This is the only 24 hour radio station. Whenever you tune in you will listen the programmes," he said.
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