The dream of having private FM radio in Belagavi remains unfulfilled. In the recently concluded Third Batch of Private FM Radio Phase-III Channel auctions, Belagavi – which had four frequencies up for grabs – did not attract a single bidder, continuing a trend from previous auction rounds.
According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), auctions for new FM stations were held across 234 cities, including Belagavi, aiming to expand radio coverage, especially to smaller markets. Leading media houses actively bid for prime slots in bigger cities during this phase, with bids in places like Ludhiana crossing ₹7.83 crore. However, despite Belagavi’s 4 available stations, no private operator showed interest in bidding for the city.
Why No Bidders for Belagavi?
This is not the first time Belagavi has faced such disappointment. In earlier FM radio auctions under Phase-III, too, Belagavi failed to attract any takers for its allotted slots. The reasons often cited include high reserve prices, uncertain advertising revenue, and perceptions that smaller cities may not provide enough commercial viability for private radio stations.

Belagavi Still Without Private FM
While bigger cities across India continue to expand their FM radio choices and new stations launch regularly, Belagavi residents are left waiting for a private FM voice. The government’s aim was to bring radio to uncovered cities, but with repeated lack of interest, Belagavi’s case highlights the challenges faced by tier-two cities.
As things stand, Belagavi remains one of India’s cities without a private FM station – despite multiple opportunities and government push to create new avenues for entertainment and information.
What’s Next?
Unless policies are tweaked to make bidding more attractive – perhaps by lowering reserve prices or providing incentives – Belagavi’s hopes for a private FM radio station may remain just out of reach. For now, citizens continue to rely on government-operated stations and community initiatives for their radio listening needs.
Stay tune Red fm will be update Soon…
Red Fm Bajate Raho
# Belgaum #Nippani
Wait is overrrrrrr
Red Fm Bajate Raho
Baj Gayi Hai or woh bhi kabki.
This is a link from AllAboutBelgaum from the 2017 time machine.
https://allaboutbelgaum.com/?s=AIR+FM
I personally like FM Radio, but what to do Radio Frequency 87.50MHz to 108.00MHz is under Central Government. They want to auction it to the highest bidder so that government can collect money on behalf of Citizen of Bharat. Last time I read it was 4% of Adjusted Gross Revenue. In New York it is 1.5% of Adjusted Gross Revenue.
Today no one bids for it, that no money for Central Government or Citizen of Bhaarat. Private business has to have some profit for efforts that have been put in. If profit was not the case why we do not have Vividh Bharati FM in the second capital of Karnataka.
Each FM (or AM) Radio Station provides direct employment to 15 person. That means 60jobs have not been created. This is not the story of just Belagavi. Everywhere FM and MW Radio station could have be utilised and capitalised has not been done.