All India Radio (AIR), the public service broadcaster, has a vast network of 742 transmitters – 7 of SW, 122 of MW and 613 of FM. AIR’s coverage in MW + FM is 90% by area and 98% by population, whereas only around 59% by area in the FM band.

The rollout of DRM in the AM bands for regular domestic broadcasts by the Indian public broadcaster is ongoing. Currently 41 high power DRM medium wave transmitters are installed throughout the country. Four transmitters (one each in four metro/major cities) are now carrying pure DRM transmissions round the clock. 33 transmitters are working in simulcast mode with one hour in pure DRM. 4 transmitters are yet to start DRM digital service. The medium transmitters cover roughly 900 million people with DRM broadcasts. AIR is carrying 2 to 3 digital audio services from a single MW transmitter, along with the Journaline text service. AIR has successfully tested the Emergency Warning Functionality (EWF) with DRM to alert the population during disasters. More on the DRM activities at BES in New Delhi next week: https://www.drm.org/drm-at-bes-in-new-delhi-in-february/