INTRODUCTION

Radio Nepal was established on the 20th of Chaitra 2007 B.S. (1 April, 1951). Initially, the transmission covered a duration of 4.5 hours through a 250 watt transmitter. Over the years, radio Nepal has strengthened its institutional capacity and diversified itself in terms of programme format, technical efficiency and nationawide coverage. Radio Nepal now has programmes on Short Waves as well as Medium Wave frequencies and the most recent development is the launching of an FM-Channel covering Kathmandu and adjoining areas. Radio Nepal provides programmes for a duration of 15 hours everyday, which includes 2 hours of regional broadcasts from 15:15 hrs to 17:00 hrs. However on public holidays, there is an additional 2 hours, extending the total duration to 17 hours.

Role of Radio Broadcasting in Nepal

Radio broadcasting is the cheapest and quickest means of nmass communications in Nepal. In a mountainous country like Nepal, radio broadcasting has proved a very effevtive medium in disseminating information, educating people and entertaining the masses. It has been providing various programmes aimed at creating mass awareness. The people in the hilly areas and many of the remote villages have no access to motorable roads nor to any communication and entertainment facilities. Illiteracy being a common feature among the people, little use is made of the newspaper, which have very limited and delayed circulations. Therefore, Radio has been most suitable means of disseminating information and providing entertainment to the masses in Nepal.

Transmission Capacity

(a) Short Wave: Three transmitters of 100 kw each enable transmissions on two frequencies simultaneouslu.

(b) Medium Wave: There are transmitters of various capacities in all the five development regions.

(i) Eastern Development Region: Theres is a stydio in Dhankuta and a 100 kw transmitting station in Dharan with 10 kw standby transmitter.

(ii) Central Development Region: A 10 kw with 10 kw standby transmitting station in Bardibas. There is no studio facility.

(iii) Western Development Region: A 100 kw with 10 kw standby transmitting station and a studio in Pokhara.

(iv) Mid Western Development Region: A 100 kw with 10 kw standby transmitting and studio in Surkhet.

(v) Far western Development Region: A 10 kw with 10 kw stanby transmitting station and a studio in Dipayal.

Transmission Coverage

(a) The short wave transmission of Radio Nepal is estimated to reach listeners throughout the Kingdom.

(b) Medium Wave transmission covers 80% to 90% of the population.

Programming

(a) Regional Programming: Two hours of programmes for audiences in different regions broadcast for audiences in different regions broadcast from Regional stations simultaneously from 09:30 to 11:00 and 18:05 - 18:30 everyday.

(b) National Programmes: Broadcast for a duration of about 13 hours everyday and 17 hours on public holidays from 06:00 hrs to 23:00 hrs.

Radio Nepal uses a wide range of formats including features, documentaries, docu-dramas, dramas, talk shows, interviews, music shows, live commentaries etc. Recognizing the citizen's rights to be informed under a multi-party democracy. Radio Nepal attempts to provide informative, educational as well as entertainment oriented programmes. The major programme highlights include:





(a)     EDUCATIONAL:
        Programmes on religion, literatures, science and technology, 
        agriculture, women, health and sanitation, public health, children and 
        youth.

(b)     ENTERTAINMENT: 
        (i) Music: Nepali songs, western music, Hindi songs and Ghazals,
        (ii) Songs on Regional languages
        (iii) Radio Dramas.
(c)     INFORMATION:
        (i) News and Current Afairs
        (ii) Phone-in for Parliamentarians
        (iii) Radio Reports.
        Programmes on information and education constitutes 40% of the 
        total programming and entertainment covers 60% which also includes 
        commercials.

RADIO NEPAL: F.M. - KATHMANDU

In consonance with the policy of forging ahead in tune with the changing broadcasting scenario, Radio Nepal launched the test transmission of the first ever FM Channel in Nepal on the 3oth of Kartick 2052 B.S. (16th Nov. 1995). The FM Channel airs programmes on 100 MHZ on the FM band through a 1 kw transmitter installed at Khumaltar, Lalitpur. A state-of-the-art studio with sterio facilities has been established at Singh Durbar with sufficient facilities to broadcast programme live.

The FM transmission began initially with a 1 hour 45 minutes breakfast show on an experimental basis for a month and a half and went on a 6 hr. regular programming from the 15th Poush, 2052 with the objective of further expansion. The programmes on the FM-channel are directed to the urban audiences of kathmandu valley and caters to growing entertainment/information needs od a fast expanding metropolis.

Currently, the FM Channel has Nepali, Indian and Western music, talk shows on various relevant themes, live telephone interviews etc. Radio Nepal FM-Kathmandu has adopted a policy to sell air-time to interested parties from the private sector in order to facilitate a wider programming of interesting programmes for the discerning urban audiences.

NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS

Radio Nepal broadcasts news bulletins in Nepali at regular intervals (hourly) from 07:00 hrs until the close of the transmission. News bulletin in English are broadcast 08:00 hrs, 13:05 hrs and 20:00 hrs everyday.

In addition to the News in Nepali and English, there are other bulletins in 10 regional languages at various timing. They are Magar, Gurung, Tamang, Rai Bantawa, Newari, Bhojpuri, Hindi, Tharu east, Tharu west, Avadhi, Sherpa, Urdu & Maithili.

OTHER FACILITIES

Radio Nepal has sufficient studios for programme production, music recording, talk shows and news broadcasts. A music library at its premises in Singha Durbar has a collection of about 15,000 songs. Foreign broadcasting Stations also make use of our Studio facilities for live broadcasts on a rental basis.

MARKETING DIVISION

Radio Nepal has adopted a policy of selling commercial air time to interested parties. Promotional advertisments in the form of jingles and other formats as well as sponsored programmes are aired. The time division categories are as follows:

COMMERCIAL TIMING SCHEDULE OF

NATIONAL TRANSMISSION

a) Super time - 7:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday

b) 'A' time - 7:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Sunday to Friday

c) 'B' time - 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Sunday to Friday

- 8:15 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday to Saturday

d) 'C' time - 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

- 10:05 p.m. to 10:55 p.m. Saturday to Sunday

FREQUENCIES AT A GLANCE

Station -------	Medium Wave ----------- KHz	Short Wave ----------- MHz Summer broadcast	F.M. MHz
Kathmandu	792	7.165 (41 mb)	100
Bardibas	1143	5.005 (60 mb)
Dhankuta / Dharan	648	Winter broadcast 5.005 (60 mb)
Pokhara	684	3,230 (90 mb)
Surkhet	576
Dipayal	810

LOOKING AHEAD

From old modest beginning 46 years ago, Radio Nepal has expanded considerably over the years. With over 600 staff members in different dividions and the acquisition of equipment in tune with the technological innovations, Radio Nepal aims to emerge as the media for the millions in Nepal as well as across regional frontiers.

There are plans for a filling station at different parts of uncovered areas and a second channel in the existing premises in the near future.

RADIO BROADCASTING SERVICE

Radio Nepal

P.O. Box 634, Kathmandu, Nepal

Ph: 243569, 212950

Fax: 977-1-221952

Webmaster: Anita Shrestha, Inc.

info@catmando.com