Anil Ambani’s Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd, Times Group’s Entertainment Network (India) Ltd, Kalanithi Maran’s Sun TV Network Ltd, HT Media Ltd, Jagran Prakashan’s Music Broadcast Pvt Ltd, and DB Corp Ltd are among the companies that have applied to participate in the FM radio auctions.

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting said that it has received 28 applications for the first batch of FM Radio Phase III auctions.

These applications have been invited for the e-auction of 135 Private FM Radio Channels in 69 cities with existing services. In a statement, the Ministry said, “The 28 applicants have cumulatively submitted Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of about ₹316.91 crore.”

The first batch of e-auctions will see the addition of new radio channels in cities such as Chennai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad. In each of these cities one FM radio channel is up for grabs.

Others cities, such as Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune and Surat have two radio frequencies each up for grabs.

Hyderabad is expected to see four new radio channels coming up, while Kanpur, Patna and Lucknow will see the addition of three radio channels each.

The applications are subject to requirements and scrutiny, after which the ministry will release a list of pre-qualified bidders, which is expected to be out by April 23.

PTI adds: The entities which have applied can bid for multiple channels, said a senior official. “As per the norms, there is a national cap and a city-wise cap on the maximum number of channels that a single company may get.

Sources said that 15 of the companies that have applied already hold licences for private FM channels under Phase—II.

Currently, 243 FM radio channels are operational in 86 cities of which 21 private FM radio channels were set up in Phase—I and an additional 222 channels were opened during Phase—II.

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