Ananthapuri FM shuts down, includes more Hindi programs

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ananthapuri FM, the favorite of lakhs of listeners, has been shut down. Channel chief Mallika Kurup has been replaced. The radio channel will be called Vividh Bharti Akashvani Malayalam from January 1. The control is under Mumbai Vividh Bharati. In prime time, mostly Hindi programs have been included.

In other state capitals, they have retained the capital name with the FM station. For more than a month, neither the government nor the elected representatives have intervened in this issue.

The authorities came to know about this after Kerala Kaumudi published an article by former chief secretary K Jayakumar titled 'Evide poyi Ananthapuri FM?'.

Ananthapuri FM started broadcasting on November1, 2005. All India Radio's Commercial Broadcasting Center was upgraded on May 1, 1975 as Ananthapuri FM. The channel was popularized by it broadcasted listeners favourable programs and presentation style.

Ananthapuri FM will broadcast under the same name if requested by the State Government to the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

It has 45 lakh listeners from Thiruvananthapuram , from some parts of Kollam and Pathanamthitta.

FM gives importance to film song based programs.

Useful announcements to listeners such as train times, traffic changes, and water supply interruptions.

It also gives important news every hour.

'Prasarbharati brought about this change as part of national level changes. More details are unknown, said Mallika Kurup, former head of Ananthapuri FM.

'This change was announced earlier', said Meera Rani, In-Charge, Vividh Bharathi Akasavani Malayalam

Real FM, which had listeners in Kozhikode and nearby districts, was also shut down on January 1. MP MK. Raghavan, All India Radio employees and listeners' groups strongly opposed the move. Union Minister V Muraleedharan and Minister Mohammad Riyaz also intervened. The order revoking the FM was withdrawn on January 11. Thus, Real FM was restored.