Prasar Bharati shuts down Kerala's first FM channel Akashvani Ananthapuri FM after 18 years

Akashvani Ananthapuri FM was started on November 1, 2005. Earlier, the replacement of Malayalam content with Hindi stirred controversy in Kerala.

Thiruvananthapuram: Prasar Bharati has stopped broadcasting Akashvani Ananthapuri FM, Kerala's first FM channel after 18 years. The numerous programmes the station has broadcast throughout the years have left listeners with vivid memories of a bygone age. Akashvani Ananthapuri FM was the energy of a generation, playing everything from listeners' favourite music to important news.

Even the Thiruvananthapuram division employees didn't learn about the decision till they arrived at the office. The decision by the Central Government to stop the broadcast of the celebrated FM is a severe blow to about 40 lakh listeners in Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta and Kollam districts. Protests have erupted against the shutdown of the FM without prior notice. 

Along with film songs and entertainment programs, announcements ranging from water supply cuts to train timings were broadcasted on 101.9 MHz. Ananthapuri FM was started on November 1, 2005. According to the regulations, Akashvani will only continue to air main roster shows on the channel going forward while keeping a small number of Malayalam-language FM fan favourites. Ananthapuri started as part of Vividh Bharati commercial broadcasting.