ASIA

 GatesAir, a Thomson Broadcast subsidiary dedicated to wireless content delivery, announces a continuation of its successful in-house financing opportunities for its North America TV and radio customers. Backed by the financial strength and expertise of […]

Amazon Music India presented the second edition of ‘India Pod Day’ with IVM Podcasts on January 24 at Mumbai, celebrating 25 years of the 21st century.The event brought together leading minds from the podcasting sphere, providing a platform to explore the journey of podcasts in India. It featured sessions and discussions highlighting the evolution and future of the podcasting industry.The evening began with From Dial-Up to Digital: India’s Cultural Journey, hosted by Kunal Vijayakar with panellists Kumar Varun and Aastha Atray Banan. They reflected on India’s cultural evolution over 25 years, from dial-up internet and Nokia phones to the 4G boom, social media, and platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Key discussions included Bollywood’s shift to global hits, the rise of OTT platforms, food delivery apps, regional cuisine, music festivals, and the changing sports landscape, particularly the IPL. The panel also explored social changes, including LGBTQ+ rights and gender roles, and shared insights into the future of Indian culture. Each panellist shared a cultural experience from the previous 25 years that they felt characterised modern India and could continue to define it for the next 25 as the session came to a close.In another session, podcasters discussed the crime stories from 21st-century India that have captivated the public imagination. These narratives, exploring dark aspects of human nature, motives, and the consequences of crime, reflect the complexities of a rapidly changing society. With cultural context and suspense, they offer a unique lens to understand the evolving dynamics of law and justice.The second half of the evening featured When Pod Meets Pop: The Revolution of Podcasting in the 21st Century, ON ‘CYRUS SAYS’. Hosted by Cyrus Broacha, the session brought together Varun Thakur, Kautuk Srivastava, and Neville Shah from The Internet Said So (TISS) podcast. They discussed podcasting’s rise in India, particularly during the pandemic, with platforms like Spotify and JioSaavn fuelling growth. The panel explored challenges like content saturation, language barriers, and the rise of political podcasts, with prominent politicians like Narendra Modi (who appeared on The Nikhil Kamath Show) and Arvind Kejriwal (who was featured on Prakhar ke Pravachan and Raj Shamani’s Show) utilising podcasts to get behind media filters.The conversation also compared podcasting preferences in the US and India, highlighting the popularity of genres like spirituality and true crime. Indian creators, such as those behind The Desi Crime Podcast, were noted for adding local flavours to global trends. The session concluded with reflections on podcasting’s role in shaping communication and the need for innovation to overcome challenges and maintain its unique cultural identity.Amit Doshi, Head of IVM Podcasts, said: “The second edition of India Pod Day is a testament to the thriving podcasting ecosystem in India. We’re excited to witness the stories, ideas, and connections that will come to life this year.”Country Head, Amazon Music, India, Rishabh Guptasaid: “Our goal is to promote impactful experiences for aspiring podcasters aiming to make their mark in the industry while facilitating meaningful conversations with our talented guests. This collaboration embodies those ideals, and we’re proud to join forces with one of India’s leading podcast platforms.”

CEO of Pratilipi Ranjeet Pratap Singh shared: “As someone who has deeply admired the growth of podcasting across the world, I believe India Pod Day 2025 is a celebration of innovation and storytelling. It’s an incredible platform where creators and audiences converge to unlock the limitless potential of podcasts. We’re thrilled to be part of this journey and can’t wait to see the conversations unfold.”Cyrus Says Podcaster Cyrus Broacha said that podcasting is becoming a global phenomenon, and India Pod Day stands as a testament to this evolution. “As we celebrated our second edition, one year after the inaugural event, I was thrilled to witness the growing enthusiasm, which extended beyond India’s borders. We received interest from several countries—Myanmar was already on board, and discussions with East Timor were underway, indicating the potential for future global expansion.” […]

To usher in the Chinese New Year (CNY), Hear65, SMRT and the National Arts Council (NAC) has rolled out an auspicious CNY playlist as part of its I Play SG Music campaign.The selection contains festive tunes from Joanna Dong, Miss Lou, MICappella, Jaspers Lai, The Apex Project, Lim Tay Peng, Chordinate Singers, Singapore Chinese Orchestra and more.The curation also features contributions from the DJs of Singapore’s most popular radio stations! ‘蛇么都好’ by all the DJs of 96.3 HAOFM and ‘蛇么都 HENG ONG HUAT’ from the DJs of UFM100.3 are festive songs that wish listeners a wonderful and prosperous new year. Likewise, ‘蛇年旺旺旺’ performed by YES933’s DJs is a joyous anthem that paints a vivid picture of family health and joy, traveling with friends and partying together.[embedded content]I Play SG Music spotlights locally produced music at 134 MRT and LRT stations and bus interchanges across the island, as part of a broader partnership between the NAC and transportation service provider SMRT.The I Play SG Music x SMRT CNY 2025 playlist runs from 15 January to 4 February.Hear65 is a national movement which celebrates and promotes all forms of Singaporean music. An initiative by the National Arts Council and produced by independent music media company Bandwagon, it raises the profile of Singaporean musicians through partnerships with events, companies, and advocates throughout the year, as well as a microsite which serves as a one-stop digital destination for the discovery of Singaporean music.Stream the full I Play SG Music x SMRT CNY 2025 playlist here. […]

The Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) launched its 70th birthday celebrations at Viseisei village in Vuda, Lautoka.FBC’s journey began on July 1, 1954 with the broadcast of its first program during the official opening ceremony.Today, the corporation operates six radio stations, with two in each of the major local languages: Fijian, Hindustani, and English.The event marks a significant milestone for the organization, celebrating its seven decades of broadcasting in Fiji and successful transition to the digital era.Veteran Radio Fiji One announcer Apakuki Waqa emphasized the importance of this anniversary, highlighting the organization’s achievements over the years.“FBC has come a long way, and it has produced a number of prominent radio and news presenters in the country,” he said.The anniversary celebration will include visits to 70 villages across the country, reflecting FBC’s deep connection with local communities.It will also coincide with the 2025 edition of the Pacific Media Partnership Conference (PMPC) to be held in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union from February 11 to 13.

The PMPC is an opportunity to harness the wisdom and experience of the ABU’s Pacific members while hearing insights from some of the world’s best experts.Photo: FBC […]

Radio Taiwan International (Rti) Spanish was voted the “World’s Most Popular International Radio Station for 2024” by members from over 29 countries of the Club de Diexistas Sin Fronteras.Since launching in 1976, RTI’s Spanish-language programming has remained one of the most important beacons in Spanish-language radio with listeners in South and Central America and Spain.One of its shows “El Cartero” was also voted as the Most Popular Listener Feedback Program, while the station netted the Most Popular News Program for the first time.This marks the seventh year since 2015 that Rti has ranked in the top three of the listener poll for the Brazil-based shortwave radio club.While the programming was briefly suspended from 2018 to 2020, they won 70 percent of the votes for the same poll in the year they resumed, winning the Most Popular Network and Feedback show.They edged out Radio Romania International (RRI), Radio Miami International (WRMI), and Radio Exterior (REE) among others.This year, Rti Spanish hosts Andrea Wang and Sol Hong, both from Argentina, were the first and third most popular female hosts respectively, with hosts Paco Najar of Peru, and Iker Izquerido of Spain winning the same respective distinctions for male hosts.Photo: Rti […]

GatesAir, a Thomson Broadcast subsidiary dedicated to wireless content delivery, has amplified its South Asia presence with the hiring of Tamjeed Ahmad as Regional Sales Manager effective immediately. Reporting to Head of APAC Sales Jacky […]