All India Radio started FM in Goa in the early 1990s along with the four metro cities and, after a historic, almost 30-year run the government has now decided to do away with the brand. Prasar Bharati, which comes under the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, has decided to close down FM Rainbow stations in different parts of the country leading to protests from listeners and radio enthusiasts. By an order issued by the Akashvani directorate, the popular FM Rainbow will be merged with the primary Mhadei channel on medium wave. Several programmes on FM will see a closure or a shift in their timings. FM Rainbow Goa is part of All India Radio broadcasting live from Goa broadcasting at 105.4 MHZ. The radio station plays Akashvani news, Talk programmes, Current Affairs, World news and plays Konkani songs and Konkani talk programmes. FM Rainbow has long been Goa’s premier music and entertainment radio channel, captivating listeners for nearly three decades. The merger is set to take effect in October. The programs on FM Rainbow are popular not only in Goa but among the diaspora as well, who connect with their language and favourite songs online through the Prasar Bharati app. Hopefully the government will have a rethink on the closure of the popular radio station.
