Visual radio on the anvil

This radio allows cell phone users to receive information about the song being played on FM station.

Cell phone companies and broadcasters, eyeing the huge potential of interactive radio, are all set to launch visual radio in India.

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"The Indian Idol phenomenon has proved that the Indian customers are willing to participate through such interactive platforms. The grand success of the programme explored a new source of revenue for the media broadcasters in the country," Delhi-based Shaf India Broadcast, which is engaged in marketing for the visual radio services in India, director (technical) PR Suresh said.

Visual radio is an interactive concept currently followed in parts of Finland, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and some of the European countries.

It is a mix of FM radio with an interactive platform, which allows the cell phone users to receive various types information while listening to a song.

For example an FM radio listener could get information about the song such as name of the film, the singer, lyrics of the song while listening to the FM radio through this service.

"The visual radio service is basically aimed at making the listener interact with the service broadcasters. The USP of the service is launching an interactive radio," Suresh added.

The service could also be used for value-added services -like song selection, ringtone download and quizz participation.