Efforts to modernize broadcast media are underway across the world in this digital age. India, too, embarked on this path by adopting Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) technology. All India Radio set up several high-power transmitters across the country and à´ª്à´°à´–്à´¯ാà´ªed that the stage was set for a “digital radio revolution.” While this marks a significant technological step, the ground reality tells a very different story.
On paper, DRM is an impressive technology. It can transmit multiple audio channels on a single frequency, deliver significantly better sound quality than AM, and cover vast geographical areas. However, technological capability alone does not guarantee success. It must reach people and be usable in everyday life. This is precisely where DRM has fallen short in India. The reasons are clear: lack of foresight and flawed implementation.
For the average consumer in India, DRM radios are neither easily available nor affordable. Market availability is limited, prices remain relatively high, and public awareness is minimal. As a result, while transmitters are operational, the devices required to receive these signals are largely absent from people’s homes. This has created a widening gap between the claim of “coverage” and the reality of “listenership.”
At the heart of the problem lies the policy approach. India’s DRM rollout has largely followed a “transmitter-first” strategy. Massive investments were made to install transmitters, while the development and distribution of receivers came as an afterthought. In broadcasting, this sequence rarely works. Without receivers in the hands of users, even the most powerful transmission network becomes ineffective.
Market economics have also been overlooked. Private broadcasters remain hesitant to adopt DRM due to the high costs of transitioning, lack of a clear revenue model, and the continued profitability of the existing FM ecosystem. Consequently, DRM remains largely confined to the public broadcasting system.
Another critical shortcoming is the lack of listener-centric planning. Technical coverage maps have been prioritized over actual user experience. In some coastal regions, for instance, transmitters appear to provide extensive coverage over the sea rather than densely populated areas. While this may be technically explainable due to signal propagation characteristics, it raises valid questions about the efficient use of public resources.
At a time when the world is accessible through low-cost mobile data, an obvious question arises: why invest in a poorly implemented DRM system, and for whom?
Meanwhile, internet radio has rapidly emerged as a strong competitor. Affordable data, widespread smartphone usage, and easy access to global stations have made internet streaming the preferred choice for many listeners. In urban and semi-urban India, radio consumption has increasingly shifted to mobile applications. This transition appears to have been underestimated by policymakers.
One of the key arguments in favor of DRM is its potential role in disaster communication. In situations where mobile networks and internet services fail, DRM could provide reliable long-range broadcasting. While this is technically valid, it overlooks a fundamental issue: if people do not have DRM receivers, who will receive these broadcasts?
Content strategy is another weak link. DRM largely mirrors the same programming already available on AM and FM platforms. Without exclusive or differentiated content, listeners have little incentive to switch. The basic question — “why should I change?” — remains unanswered.
Taken together, these factors point to a broader issue: an ecosystem mismatch. While the transmission infrastructure is in place, the supporting ecosystem — devices, market demand, and user engagement — is not aligned. As a result, DRM remains a technology with potential, but not one that has achieved mainstream relevance.
Looking ahead, it would be premature to declare DRM a complete failure. However, meaningful course correction is essential. Affordable receivers must be made widely available, DRM support should be integrated into smartphones, and compelling, differentiated content needs to be developed. Equally important is a shift toward listener-centric planning, focusing on real-world usability rather than theoretical coverage.
In conclusion, the problem with DRM in India is not the technology itself, but the imbalance in its implementation. Without alignment between policy, market forces, and user experience, even the most advanced technology risks remaining a success only on paper.
DRM: Like Creating a Grandfather After the Grandson Is Born
A popular metaphor captures the situation succinctly: implementing DRM in India is “like creating a grandfather after the grandson is born.”
In broadcasting, the natural sequence is straightforward: first, receivers must be in the hands of people; then, transmission networks should expand. In the case of DRM, this order was reversed. Heavy investments were made in transmitters first, only for it to become evident later that people lacked the devices to receive the broadcasts.
In policy terms, this reflects a classic case of “supply creation without demand.” In consumer electronics, successful adoption depends on a robust device ecosystem — chips, affordable radios, and integration into everyday devices like smartphones. Only then can transmission infrastructure scale effectively. This critical step was overlooked.
This is not merely a humorous observation, but a serious structural flaw. It leads to underutilization of public investment, erodes public confidence in new technologies, and risks repeating similar mistakes in future initiatives.
Yet, the metaphor also hints at a path forward. While one cannot literally reverse time, partial correction is possible. By introducing low-cost DRM receivers, enabling smartphone compatibility, and offering unique content, the imbalance can be addressed.
Ultimately, the metaphor stands not just as satire, but as a sharp critique of how DRM has been implemented in India.
– Chandrashekhara Kulamarva
ನಿರಂತರ ಅಪ್ಡೇಟ್ಗಳಿಗಾಗಿ ಉಪಯುಕ್ತ ನ್ಯೂಸ್ ಟೆಲಿಗ್ರಾಂ ಚಾನೆಲ್ಗೆ ಜಾಯಿನ್ ಆಗಿ
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