In a mid-sized town, a national FM chain loses listeners to a new station carrying town news, area market prices and songs in the regional dialect. Which trend does this reflect?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Networks getting replaced by local radio
Option (1) Networks getting replaced by local radio — Correct. The new station wins listeners because it gives town news, local prices and the local dialect. This is the worldwide trend of networks getting replaced by local radio, as the demand for local news grows.
Option (2) Growing concentration of FM in media conglomerates — Incorrect. Concentration means popular FM channels belonging to big media houses, like Radio Mirchi with the Times of India group. Here a national chain is losing ground to a small local station, which is the opposite movement.
Option (3) Shift of FM channels from music to political news — Incorrect. Private FM channels are not permitted to broadcast political news bulletins. The new station carries town news and market prices, which are local matters outside that bar.
Option (4) Revival of public broadcasting over private radio — Incorrect. Public broadcasting means independent stations like National Public Radio (USA) or BBC (UK), and such stations are missing in India. The new station is a small local one serving its own town.
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