[1]

2. Acknowledgement

Prosperous conclusion of any course requires support from various personnel and I am fortunate

to have that support, direction, and supervision in every aspect fromMs.Nadia Kamal Al Siraj

CourseInstructor.Department of English, North South University.

I would like to thank North south university, Department of English for adding this Research

work in our course which helped us a lot understanding the topic in practical life and how it

works in real life. I also show my utmost gratitude to all the Respondent those are filled up

questionnaire’s that help me to do this research and got some knowledge about them. The speed

and helpfulness of the Respondent really helped me in obtaining the necessary information in

time.

This research entitled “The Impact of Private Radio Channels” on younger generation has

been done during the academic year of 2012 – 2013 under the guidance ofMs.Nadia Kamal Al

Siraj, Course Instructor (Eng-105.8), Department of English, and North South University.

I would like to thank my a few seniors friends those helpful people always help me any kind of

problem of this research topic. A special thankto our honorable course instructor, for these

guidance, insight and encouragement in the writing and compilation of this report. Her helpful

support and patience throughout this journey has been real and is appreciated from the bottom of

my heart. Without her help I cannot complete my research paper as well as got some knowledge

from her.

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3. Abstract

Private Radio channels (FM) is a great source of entertainment. It is a very common media of

entertainment in city life. In the West or in the neighboring countries every big city has, on an

average, seven to ten FM radio stations, while Dhaka has five to seven. But in a city life FM

radio channels creates an influence. It is considered as a most common media of entertainment.

In Bangladesh these culture are just start to expand. Already it creates a great impact to different

listener group, especially the younger generation in Dhaka city. They have found it a way of

entertainment with them in everywhere. Also I have found from my research that this private

radio channel successfully establishes them in the peoples mind in Dhaka city. I want to prove

that private radio channels are a great source of influence in its' listeners' personal life, lifestyle

and trend. I also expect to identify the issue that the RJs are playing a reliable role in their life in

assisting their personal problems by giving on air advice. Finally I want to identify some real

factors that are really influencing as the modifier of listeners' behavior, lifestyle and fashion

trend. But still it has a small coverage. As it is very new and growing media if the government

relaxes its frigid regulations, the country's radio industry can expect to witness a big expansion, a

little help from the government and FM Radio can become the next big industry.

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Table of Contents
2. Acknowledgement .................................................................................................................................... 1
3. Abstract ..................................................................................................................................................... 2
5. Background History: ............................................................................................................................. 5
6. Areas of Research: .................................................................................................................................... 8
7. Hypothesis: ........................................................................................................................................... 9
8. Methodology: ............................................................................................................................................ 9
9. Primary Data Presentation & Analysis: .................................................................................................. 10
10. Secondary Data Analysis: ..................................................................................................................... 17
11. Limitations: .......................................................................................................................................... 18
12. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................ 19
13. Recommendations ................................................................................................................................ 20
14. Summary of Research Findings:……………………………………………………………………………………………………..21

15 Reference:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….22

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4. Introduction:
The topic of this research paper is “The Impact of Private Radio Channels”. On younger

generation

WHAT IS PRIVATE RADIO?

Private radio communications systems are used by companies, organizations, public safety

agencies, and other entities to support their internal communications requirements. Many

different entities use private systems for a variety of purposes, and the systems themselves

operate on a number of different frequency bands. Although there are general communities

across private wireless services and systems (there is a common base of equipment--for both

infrastructure and user radios/handsets, for example), each company or organization has unique

needs, and the different frequency bands used have different technical characteristics. As a

result, private radio systems are often customized to meet the specialized and unique needs of the

company or organization that owns and operates the system. Thus, there is no "typical" private

system or private system user. Likewise, it is more appropriate to think of the private wireless

community as a collection of user groups with varying Communication needs rather than as a

monolithic "industry."

It is a newborn in the media scene of Bangladesh. It is an unexpected media for the people of

Dhaka city and outside. Although radio is a very old technology in Bangladesh, the arrival of the

private radio channels (Radio Today 89.6FM, Radio Foorti 88.0 FM, Radio Amar 88.4 FM, and

ABC Radio 89.2 FM) has been somewhat of an innovation in the lives of the Dhaka city. There

was a time that long ago, when the residents of the Dhaka city were passionate with the satellite

television channels. But at a certain point they grew tired of the mindless western and Indian TV

The Impact of Private Radio Channels

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shows and were looking for newer sources of entertainment. With the appearance of the private

radio channels the city dwellers have found a new media of entertainment. While we have

already on the air, they are( Radio Today, Radio Foorti , Radio Amar, ABC Radio ) and also a

few of upcoming radio station start their journey very soon. A radio is very cheap and anyone

can be bought it. Many are buying mobile sets that have FM radio facilities, which are the new

trail of reviving FM radio to every ones, hand. It is somewhat creating a new media of

entertainment for younger aged people and creating a great influence in their daily life.

Nowadays it is quite a common sight to see younger age group in Dhaka city are wearing

earphones and listen music around the streets or hanging out with friends in campus or other

places.

5. Background History:

Radio, which was becoming an extinct media of entertainment, has revived itself very strongly

with the arrival of these private channels. The government has given permission to set up three

new frequency modulation (FM) band radio channels, raising the number of such private

channels to four. A total of 10 companies applied for the permission of operating FM radio

channels. Three firms have FM licenses. Any Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Capital FM

are coming on air soon. The new channels are planning to provide a different target audience by

broadcasting diverse programs to add a new dimension to the private radio channels. Before

2006 Bangladesh had only two Stations (Bangladesh Betar and Radio Microwave. Radio

listening on medium wave was confined to urban limits of these cities. Presently the broadcast

scenario has drastically changed with three FM channels.

Because of the variety of contents, new way of presentation and technical superiority, FM radio

gains popularly despite the operation of a number of television channels. The rocking FM radio

The Impact of Private Radio Channels

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channels have revived radio listening in the country. Mobile phones also provide the facility of

listening to FM radio stations.

RADIO TODAY:

Radio TODAY is the largest private FM Radio operator in the country, which began

broadcasting on September 16, in Dhaka. The success of Radio Today can be attributed to its

skilled manpower, ability to understand the audience needs be it any region and the capability to

fine tune content based on the culture and taste of the local audience. This channel, which can

catch on 89.6 FM, brings high hopes for the underdog medium. Their programs cover news and

views on sports, education, business and commerce, development, happenings in Dhaka and its

surrounding districts. These stations are city-based. They range from Dhaka to some nearby

districts only. Those who are within 100 KM of their station, it is for them. Other innovative

skits of Radio Today include broadcasting prices of essentials via on the spot reporters so people

who are on way to shop can know the going rate at the market today.

RADIO FOORTI:

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Radio Foorti, Bangladesh's first 24-hour private FM radio channel, is launched on September 21,

2006. Their target listeners were between the age limit of 16 years and 40 years. Radio Foorti has

the ultimate aim of being the backdrop of Bangladesh. A lot of the people involved in Radio

Foorti are members of local bands and therefore their taste in music mirrors those of the school

and university students. Radio Foorti is a partnership with the famed Radio Mirchi of India. The

sudden craze among all the potential investors and companies is to understand the mindset of the

youth. Radio Foorti has the same idea in mind but has a whole different approach to it. This

private FM radio station is mainly broadcasting modern Bangla songs, along with band music

and a bit of oldies and folk. They have also started playing English and Hindi pop tracks on a

program named Club Foorti. This program will be aired on every Thursday from 10:00 PM to

2:00 AM.

RADIO AAMAR

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We are claiming is the “true voice of Bangladesh”. Proving this slogan, we are broadcasting not

only musical but also news and other cultural programs.

RADIO AAMAR always highlights Bangladeshi cultural heritage and first hand information.

Though it is FM radio, but we gather all kind of information of every event or incident from

every corner of the country. Through this website anyone can enjoy audio clippings of every

event. We know the demand of the generation of 21st century. We therefore, are trying to fulfill

this aspiration.

6. Areas of Research:

I would like to do my research to find the impact of the new growing private radio channels on

younger generation in Dhaka city. I also tried to find out the target listener group of people in

different places. To proceed with my research, it was essential to study on the radio media as a

media of entertainment. In order to, my research will address the following research questions:

1. What is private radio channel?

2. Why did private radio channels come into existence?

3. How and why did private radio channels change the younger generation view

entertainment?

4. How does the younger generation perceive the information from these channels?

5. What changes did radio channels make in younger people life?

6. What are the important factors of private radio channels?

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7. Hypothesis:

I want to prove that private radio channels are a great source of influence in its' listeners'

personal life, lifestyle and trend. I also expect to identify the issue that the RJs are playing a

reliable role in their life in assisting their personal problems by giving on air advice. Finally I

want to identify some real factors that are really influencing as the modifier of listeners'

behavior, lifestyle and fashion trend.

I have shown that with the appearance of private radio channels younger people in Dhaka city

have found a new media of entertainment.

At the end of my research paper I will try to give some feedback about the impact of this private

radio channels on young generations of Dhaka city.

8. Methodology:

I collected both primary and secondary data for my research. First of all I have studied about the

current picture of the radio media in Bangladesh, which helps me to know about the condition of

that sector. This has also helped me to conduct my primary research.

I gathered primary data from the responses of my questionnaires and an interview with different

private radio channel officials. I've selected students in campus and also the general people of

different areas as my target group. In order to collect primary data I have gone to different

private radio stations several times. Most of the time I could not get the necessary information, as

the officials was busy with their job. But I have managed to collect my necessary information

The Impact of Private Radio Channels

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from them. I have prepared 40copies of questionnaires and distributed most of them to the of

younger people on campusthis segmentation helped me to identify the viewpoint of the people

who are related with the radio media. Ialso made two sets of questionnaires and done my survey

on forty people from younger group. This primary data collection helped me to make a clear

viewpoint of the listener group of that radio channels. And also I can know the expectations of

the listeners group. To collect this primary data I have gone to different educational institutes

like colleges and universities in different places in Dhaka city.

9. Primary Data Presentation & Analysis:

The percentage comes for each answers shows the different opinion of the target group of

people. By this it’s possible to analyze my research of the impact of private channels among the

general people. These data are representing below with graphical presentation. These data is

collected from the questionnaires to younger people to find the information about the impact of

the private radio channels on them. The data is collected by a set of questioner consist of 11

questions and surveyed among 30 person of the target group. In above table the collected data is

presented with outcomes of the survey that are shown in percentage for the each questions

outcome.

College or university going students:

(a) (b) (c) (d)

1. Gender - Male Female

56% 44%

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2. What is your Age Group? 17-20 20-24 25-29

40% 55% 5%

3. Do you listen to radios? Regularly Sometimes Hardly Ones or

twice in

a week

38% 13% 32% 17%

5. Which programs do you listen Listen music Different talk On air Weekly

to radio? Shows programs based

programs

43% 27% 16% 14%

7. Do you copy the Yes No Neutral

pronunciations and speaking

7% 86% 7%
style of RJ’s?

9. Have You ever Sent a text to

any radio programs about your

daily life problem in expectation

that the RJ’s will a better Yes No

solution for 64% 36%

You?

10. Do you follow the fashion

advice given in the radio Yes No Neutral

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channels? 15% 75% 10%

11. Do you think this Agree Disagree Neutral

private radio channels

will create popular 60% 0% 40%

media of entertainment

In future?

12. What’s your opinion about Private radio Private radio Private radio

private radio channels are more channel’s stations are

compared to Bangladesh Betar? entertaining program are exploiting

well organized the appeal of

radio

These data is collected from the questionnaires to general people to find the information about

the impact of the private radio channels on them. The data is collected by a set of questionnaires

consist of 11questions and surveyed among 40 person of the target group. In above table the

collected data is presented with outcomes of the survey that are shown in percentage for the each

questions outcome. By this it’s possible to analyze my research of the impact of private channels

among the general people. These data are representing below with graphical presentation

3. Do you listen to Regularly Sometimes Ones or twice Hardly

radio? in a week

38% 13% 32% 17%

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How often do you listen to the private

radio channels in Bangladesh
Regularly
17%
38%
Twice or thrice a
32%
13%
week
Once or twice a
week

The above data its showing that 38% people listen to radio regularly and another 32% listen to

radio sometimes. From that it’s clear that people are listening to radio and the number is

increasing. Those who were listening to radio once or twice in week, they are now listen more

frequently. Only 17% listen once or twice in a week now and 13% hardly listen to radio which is

a very little percentage.

5.Which Listen music Different-talk On-air Weekly based

Programs do you Shows programs programs

listen to radio? 43% 27% 14% 16%

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which program you like?

listen music
14%

talk shows
43%
16%

weekly based
program
27%
Others

From the above finding and graph it’s also clear that people are more likes to listen songs or

music almost 43%.where 30% people said about Different talk shows.27% people said that they

like weekly based programs. 14% said that they like to on air programs..

7. Do you copy the pronunciations No Yes Neutral

and speaking style of RJ’s? 86% 7% 7%

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Do you copy the pronunciation and speaking

style of RJ’s
Neutral yes
7% 7%

No
86%

Among 40 people 86% said that they do not copy the pronunciations and speaking style of RJ’s.

Another 7% said that they sometimes copy something like their pronunciations of speaking. And

7% of people they didn’t answer this question.

8. Do you follow the fashion

advice given in the radio Yes No Neutral

channels? 15% 75% 10%

Do you follow the fashion advice

given in the radio channels?
10% 15%

Yes
No
75% Neutral

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From the above finding and graph it’s also clear that people are more likes to follow fashion

advice from the RJ’s and 15% people said yes about that. 75% people said No they didn’t follow

that. And only 10% haven’t any comment about that.

9. Do you think this Agree Disagree Neutral

private radio channels

will create popular 67% 10% 23%

media of entertainment

In future?

Do you think radio culture can be a part

of entertaining media?
23% Agree
Disagree
67%
10% neutral

Here wecan see that 67% people of different private radio channels said that these private radio

channels already makes a difference in the mind of the listeners and they also think that it will be

a popular entertaining media in the future. 23% are confused about the future of the private radio

The Impact of Private Radio Channels

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channels. Nobody think that these cannot be a part of the entertainment media of Bangladesh in

future.

9. What’s your opinion about private radio channels compared to Bangladesh Betar?

Private radio channels are more interesting then Bangladesh betar, Bangladesh betar quite

boring, and broadcast just news, but private radio channels not only broad cast musical shows

but also very innovative programme.

10. Secondary Data Analysis:

1) http://banglamusic.com/articles/bangla-fm-radio-revolution-in-bangladesh-

1947.html

From this link I got some information about Bangla FM Radio revolution in Bangladesh.

Although, FM has been immensely popular a number of countries for more than a decade. Over

the last years, the FM stations have introduced a brand new life style for the city dwellers. The

FM channels certainly injected an element of thrill and excitement into their daily lives as well as

attract the young generation.

2) http://www.radiotodaybd.fm/

From this website I found some information about radio today and how they organized their

particular programs here RJ’s play important role for the audience. ‘Radio Today FM 89.6’

started its 24 hour broadcast on September 15 of 2006. The station turned out to be a massive

success among people from all walks of life. Radio today started out with a motive of being able

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to act as a reliable friend for their listeners and satisfy them with programs that can entertain

them during their highs and lows. The channel celebrated the second year of its broadcast

recently and is considered the catalyst in bringing about the much talked about radio revolution

in our country. The people at radio today believe that their listeners are the real unsung heroes;

they bestow their entire success upon their listeners.

3) http://en.wikipedia.org/bd/Radio_Foorti

Radio Foorti 88.0 FM which began their transmission in September 21, 2006 has managed to

affirm a strong foothold amongst the radio lovers. The aim of Radio Foorti is to entertain the

listeners. ‘We just want to supply our listener’s foorti (fun),’ says Sabbir Ahmed, associate

producer and an RJ of Radio Foorti. Foorti is especially popular amongst the people in the range

14-45 years, also amongst the cream of the society.

Foorti plays more contemporary music then the other stations and stands out amongst the midst

of others, gracefully, through their RJ’s and unique style of presentation. Radio Foorti is trying to

boost up the life of their listeners and animate them through their service and play list. ‘We are

making people smarter in our own way, for instance, the traffic updates that we provide enable

the listeners to be proactive and change their routes, thus avoiding traffic, which saves their

time,’ says Sabbir a producer of Foorti. ‘We also provide our listeners a list of the ongoing

events in Dhaka.

11. Limitations:

While preparing this research paper I had faced a number of problems. Some of these had very

little effect on the paper while other ones caused my research to be limited. The first limitation

was I could not do my survey to the whole population for my primary research. It was only a

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group of 40 people for each target group of people. So it has a probability of getting biased

response and cannot be evaluated as a general thinking of the people of Bangladesh.

Due to the ignorance of people about research survey, I also faced problem while conducting my

survey. They often acted negatively and sometimes felt scared to fill out the questioner and it

reflects to the data collected from them. Sometimes I had to explain the whole topic in order to

get data from a people. But most of the time people filled it without any thinking.

According to me, the major limitation is that I could not conduct interview to a CEO of any

private radio channels and I personally believe without their opinion it is not possible to get a

clear vision and objective of this growing media.

12. Conclusion

Through my research I have found out lots of drawbacks of the private radio channels also the

reactions of different group of people. It is a very common media of entertainment in city life. In

the West or in the neighboring countries every big city has, on an average, six to seven FM

stations, while Dhaka has only three. But in a city life FM radio channels creates an influence. It

is considered as a most common media of entertainment. In Bangladesh these culture are just

start to expand. Already it creates a great impact to different listener group, especially the young

generation in Dhaka city. They have found it a way of entertainment with them in everywhere.

Also I have found from my research that this private radio channel successfully establishes them

in the younger peoples mind in Dhaka city. Now they know about this media very well. But still

it has a small coverage. As it is very new and growing media if the government relaxes its frigid

regulations, the country's radio industry can expect to witness a big expansion, a little help from

the government and FM Radio can become the next big industry.

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13. Recommendations

After doing the research I would like to say my recommendation to the private radio channels

authority

 As private radio channels create a great influence day by day. They can produce creative

programs in order to give the people a complete enjoyment through this media.

 After arrival of the private radio channels the younger generation starts to listen to radio so

for this particular group of listeners they can produce special programs.

 Even though the young generation is one of the large listener group but there are also

listeners of different ages so they should focus on all age people.

 They can contribute in different social conscious program. Though they are still doing it but

they can do it more frequent way in order to make the people more conscious about the

different social problems.

 They can contribute by broadcasting the traditional songs of Bangladesh which are almost

extinct in order to revive them again in the people.

 Still the frequency of this private radio channels are within the Dhaka city and some places

in Chittagong. They should increase the frequency to reach everywhere in Bangladesh.

 The can produce shirt documentaries which can give different information about the

different things in Bangladesh. These can help to know the country easily for the young

generation.

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14. Summary of Research Findings:

In my research I have found that with the appearance of private radio channels how changes the

younger people life of entertainment.

It’s a new born in media sense in Bangladesh. It comes up with modern technology

and it is very interesting to all. Nowadays it is quite a common sight to see younger people in

Dhaka city are wearing earphones and listen music around the streets or hanging out with friends

in campus or other places.

It s’a great source of influence in its listers personal life, life style, and trend. And

RJ s are playing a reliable role in younger people life in assisting their personal problem by

giving on air advice. And it identifies some real factors that are really influencing as the

modifier of listener behavior life style and fashion trend.

But coin has two sides it has limitations too. As private radio channels create a great

influence day by day. They can produce creative programmes in order to give people complete

enjoyment through the media. After arrival of the private radio channels the younger generation

starts to listen to radio so for this particular group of listeners they can produce special

programme.

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 [22]

The Impact of Private Radio Channels

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15. Reference:

Ahmed, H. S. (2007, February 16). Breaking the musical status qou.Star Weekend

Magazine.6 (7), 10-16..

Amin, S. (2007, May). Crank up the radio. Slate.41-45.

Chowdhury, L. N. (2007, January). Return of the radio. Ice Today.39-40.

Chowdhury, S. T. (2006, September 29). Finally, crank up that radio. New Age Xtra.

Retrieved July 11, 2007 from

http://www.newagebd.com/2006/sep/29/sep29/xtra_inner3.html

The Impact of Private Radio Channels

 [24]

Hussein, H. (2007, February 23). The next big thing.Star Weekend Magazine.6 (6), 10-

16.

Husain, I. (2007, August 14). Radio maneyifoorti.Weekend Independent. Retrieved July

11, 2007 from http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=14016

Md. ZahidulHaque. Station manager, Radio Foorti.Personal interview. July 09, 2007

Rahman, S. (2007, June 8). On air private radio stations have woken up the listeners and

revived the radio. Probe News Magazines, 5(50). Retrieved July 8, 2007 from

http://www.probenewsmagazine.com/index.php?index=10&year=2007&m=06

Sabreen, F. (2007, June 21). Stay tuned to private FM. The New Nation.Retrieved July

11, 2007 from http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/publish/article_36974.shtml

ShakilMonzur. COO, Radio Today. Personal interview. July 16, 2007

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 [25]

Tanim, F. K. (2005, November 16). Three new FM radio channels get licence. Star City.

5(523). Retrieved July 11, 2007 from

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/11/16/d511162503113.htm

The Impact of Private Radio Channels