SILVER SPRING, Md., Dec. 11 PRNewswire-FirstCall/WORLDSPACE(R)Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: WRSP), one of the world leaders in satellite-baseddigital radio services today introduced 'Radio Umang',the first ever24-hour Gujarati radio channel for subscribers in South Asia including theCompany's primary market of India. 'Radio Umang'(channel 111) presents a unique platform, ranging from the pulsating tunes of the Garba and DandiaRaas to the melodious Sugam Sangeet and Ghazals, that showcases the richdiversity of musical traditions of Gujarat. There are over 50 millionpeople in India alone who speak Gujarati.
"We are continually looking to enhance our subscribers' listeningexperience with the addition of unique, compelling, and fresh content,"said William Sabatini, vice president, global programming, WORLDSPACESatellite Radio. "This most recent addition to our lineup demonstrates ourcommitment to further rounding out the breadth of our branded channels anddifferentiating ourselves from the offerings of traditional radio in Indiaand around the world."
'Radio Umang' joins a growing portfolio of Indian regional languagechannels available on the WORLDSPACE Satellite Radio Network. WORLDSPACEcurrently offers eight other regional channels with dedicated programmingin Tamil (KL Radio), Malayalam (RM Radio), Telugu (Spandana), Kannada(Sparsha), Bengali (Tara), Punjabi (Tunak Punjabi) Urdu (Falak) and Marathi(Surabhi). These WORLDSPACE channels also reach Indian listeners livingwithin the AsiaStar(TM) satellite coverage area, including in the MiddleEast where there is a large Indian population.
This newest addition and ninth regional language channel in theWORLDSPACE line-up captures the rich folk music traditions of Gujarat andrecognizes the various aspects of Gujarati music that has a strongrepertoire of film and non-film music.
The channel also features shows thatare dedicated to Gujarati theatre, Garba music, Retro Gujarati film music,Gujarati poetry and literature, comedy, modern Gujarati music among several other interesting shows hosted by well-known personalities from the worldof Gujarati music and entertainment. Several of these unique programsinclude:Suravali Ashit Ni -- This program is hosted by oneof the most respected names in the Gujarati music industry, AshitDesai, and features some of his popular songs from various genres ofGujarati music.Taajgi -- An invigorating breakfast show hosted bypopular radio entertainer, Ajinkya Sampat. It showcases the best ofGujarati music from film songs, garba, folk songs and light music and alsoprovides interesting music facts and trivia. Be Ghadi Anand -- An evening show that features insight and perspectives on Gujarati culture, literature and musicfrom playback singer Hema Desai. Makhmali Mehfil -- Highlights rhythms of Gujaratighazals and is hosted by Gujarati actor Aanand Goradiya.
About WORLDSPACE(R) Satellite RadioBased in the Washington, DC metropolitan area,WorldSpace, Inc.(Nasdaq: WRSP) is the world's only global media and entertainment companypositioned to offer a satellite radio experience to consumers in more than130 countries with five billion people, driving 300 million cars.WORLDSPACE delivers the latest tunes, trends and information from aroundthe world and around the corner.
WORLDSPACE subscribers benefit from a unique combination of localprogramming, original WORLDSPACE content and content from leading brandsaround the globe including the BBC, CNN, Virgin Radio UK, NDTV and RFI. TheWORLDSPACE satellites cover two-thirds of the earth's population with sixbeams. Each beam is capable of delivering up to 80 channels of high qualitydigital audio and multimedia programming directly to WORLDSPACE SatelliteRadios anytime and virtually anywhere in its coverage areas.
WORLDSPACE is a pioneer of satellite-based digital radio services (DARS) and wasinstrumental in the development of the technology infrastructure used todayby XM Satellite Radio. For more information, visit http://www.worldspace.com/
(Source: Jaisakthivel, Chennai, India/Cumbre DX via Larry Van Horn)
(Source: Jaisakthivel, Chennai, India/Cumbre DX via Larry Van Horn)