Kismat FM - Ofcom Licensing

Kismat 

Radio 

KISMAT RADIO LIMITED 

APPLICATION FOR THE 

LOCAL RADIO LICENCE 

Manchester 

February 2005

General Information 


Radio 

a) Name Of Applicant 

Kismat Radio Limited 

RADIO LICENCE 

APPLICATION 

Address details same as main public contact: 

b) Main Contact (for public purposes) 

Name: Rana Sarkar 

Mobile: 07974 570760 

Address: 46 Linnet Hill 

Rochdale 

Manchester 

OL11 4DA 

E-mail Address: rsarkar@kismatradio.com 

c) Proposed Station Name 

Kismat FM 

d) Brief Description Of Proposed Programme Service 


Radio 

A speech-based station with an emphasis on locally-produced news and information targeted at over 35s in 

the Asian communities in the Manchester area, accompanied by a variety of Asian Gold and other popular 

forms of music appealing to the target audience. 

General Information: Page 1

General Information 


Radio 

e) Main Contact (for Ofcom Purposes) 

Name: Avtar Lit 

Telephone: 0208 843 5300 

Address: Kismat Radio Ltd 

Merrick Road 

Southall 

UB2 4AU 

E-mail Address: alit@kismatradio.com 

General Information: Page 2

Section 105(A): Ability To Maintain Proposed Service 


Radio 

1. OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF COMPANY WHICH WILL OPERATE THE LICENCE 

(a) Board of Directors 

The Kismat Radio board currently comprises six members, of which half are local to the licence area. Details are 

as follows: 

Avtar Lit 

Chairman 

Age 

54 

Occupation: 

Chief Executive 

Sunrise Group 

Other Media Interests: 

See Below 

Other Directorships 

Sunrise Radio Ltd; 

London Media Company Ltd; 

Yarr Radio Ltd; 

Easy Radio London Ltd; 

Club Concorde Ltd; 

Hayes Gate House Ltd; 

Asian Broadcasting Corporation Ltd; 

Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Sri Lanka) 

Universal Breweries Ltd (Mauritius); 

Top FM Ltd (Mauritius). 

Board of Directors 

Avtar’s name is synonymous with Asian broadcasting worldwide. His depth 

of broadcasting success and commercial innovation has won admiration in 

both Western and Eastern circles and include an honorary doctorate 

bestowed upon him by Thames Valley University. 

Today’s successes have come from humble beginnings in 1980 when Avtar 

first got a taste for journalism and community through his involvement at 

Greenwich Cablevision. After a short break setting up an Asian station and 

newspaper in California, he returned to the UK to campaign for the West 

London radio licence from which Sunrise Radio was born. 

In 1990 he assisted in saving Bradford City Radio and later enabled the 

station to retain its independent status. Two years later he took 24 hour 

Asian commercial broadcasting to Leicester and in 1993 won the licence to 

expand Sunrise Radio London-wide. In 1994 Avtar successfully responded 

to the Government of Mauritius’s invitation to compete for a licence to 

broadcast to the Asian half of its population. 

In 1997 he launched five new radio stations in Sri Lanka catering for the 

country’s varying tastes. The high tech broadcasting headquarters in the 

Island’s capital are housed in one of the most magnificent buildings in the 

country. 

Over the past 20 years Avtar’s contribution to Asian broadcasting is self 

evident. His substantive support to fundraising causes both home and 

abroad is also legendary. He has progressed to running the most successful 

Asian radio station in the UK - Sunrise Radio (London) and a string of 

DAB services. In addition, he has highly successful interests in Mauritius, 

Sri Lanka and India and all of these services are top-rated in their class. In 

particular, Avtar’s commitment and support for DAB is the most extensive 

of any ethnic minority broadcaster in the UK in direct response to the 

Radio Authority’s clearly stated ambitions for DAB properly to reflect 

ethnic make-up in the country. 

Section 105 (A) : Page 1



Radio 


Mohammad Naeem 

Non-Executive Director 

Age 

49 

Occupation 

Chief Executive, UKIAS 

Other Media Interests 

None 


Shammy Batra 


Age 

46 

Occupation 

Director of Corporate Services 

Sunrise Group 


See below 

Directorships: 

Sunrise Radio Ltd; 

London Media Company Ltd; 

Yarr Radio Ltd; 

Easy Radio London Ltd; 

Hayes Gate House Ltd; 

Heathrow Financial Services Ltd. 

With substantial experience in local government, community and 

voluntary organisations, Mohammad Naeem brings energetic dynamism to 

the KATR board. Having acted as Chief Executive of UKIAS (United 

Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service) and Director of various Race 

Equality Councils (including: Bradford, West Yorkshire and Rochdale), 

Mohammad Naeem is currently Chief Executive of the Rochdale Centre of 

Diversity (since 1995). 

Being at the cutting edge of developments in race and community 

relations, Naeem has developed extensive contacts and established 

credibility and trust with ethnic minority communities and official 

(statutory and semi-statutory) organisations in and around Manchester. 

In the process Naeem is involved with a large number of organisations 

which include: The Rhodes Street Advice Centre (Founder member and 

former Chair); Calderdale Cine Group (Founder member and Chair); 

Minority Arts Advisory Service ((Founder member and former Chair); 

Bradford Community Health Council; Bradford City Challenge; Electronic 

Immigration Network (Former Director); SRB5 Corporate Executive 

Committee (Current Member); Rochdale Local Strategic Partnership 

(Current Director); Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NFR) Steering Group 

(Current Member); New Deal Welfare to Work Scheme (Rochdale); 

Bradford Training and Enterprise Council; National Association of Racial 

Equality Councils; Rochdale and Oldham Market Renewal Fund; and 

Oldham and Rochdale Groundwork Trust. 

Committed to working towards better race and community relations, 

Naeem strengthens the KATR board with his business and community 

contacts. 

Shammy is an experienced Management Consultant/Business Analyst with 

substantial experience within both the private and public sectors. In 2001 

he received an MSc in Information Systems from Brunel University having 

previously gained a Masters degree in Management from London 

University (1995) and a BA Hons degree in Politics & Philosophy from 

Kent University (1980). 

He has Board level experience in both the private and public sectors and 

has been a non-executive Director with Sunrise Radio Limited since its 

inception in 1989, becoming executive Director of Corporate Services in 

2003. Previously he was a management consultant with LogicaCMG and 

during this time he carried out a number of consultancy assignments for 

the DTI's RadioCommunications Agency. 

As non-executive Director with Sunrise Radio Ltd between 1989 and 

2003, Shammy carried out a number of short consultancy projects, 

including complete business process design of the Company's five national 

radio stations in Sri Lanka and later the two radio stations in Mauritius. 

Section 105 (A): Page 2



Radio 


Surinder Biant 

Non Executive Director 

Age 

67 

Occupation 

Retired Education Officer 


Freelance Radio 

& TV Journalist 


A qualified teacher (from Nottingham University) Surinder has held a 

number of teaching posts in Manchester including a spell at Greenhill 

Senior High School Rochdale and the Foxholes Observation and 

Assessment Centre Rochdale prior to moving to the Education 

Department in Rochdale as Education Officer. He has also held part-time 

lecturer positions in Liberal Studies and Urdu at Rochdale College. 

Surinder was also Producer and Presenter of the twice-weekly magazine 

programme (Community) on BBC Radio Manchester (from 1980 to 

relatively recently) and has also done some work with Grenada and other 

work with the BBC. 

He has been and is very active in a number of community and voluntary 

organisations including: Rochdale C.R.E.; Rochdale Indian Association; 

Meanwood School PTA; North West Ethnic Minority Arts Council; 

Rochdale N.A.M.E. (National Association for Multi-Racial Education; and 

the Star Youth Group. 

In addition Surinder has been a governor at a number of educational 

establishments in the Manchester area including: Rochdale Technical 

College, Meanwood School, Broadfield Upper School, Shawfield School, 

Falinge Park School and others. 

Taking a keen interest in media and the arts, Surinder has worked for the 

BBC for a number of years including acting as Producer and Presenter of 

the twice weekly Magazine Programme (Community) on BBC Radio 

Manchester (from 1980 to the present day). 

With his wealth of contacts and experience of Manchester’s multi-ethnic 

communities and experience in radio Surinder is an invaluable member of 

the Kismat Asian Talk Radio Board. 




Radio 


Rana Sarkar 


Age 

52 

Occupation 

Social Worker 

Other Media Interests: 

None 


Rana is a senior social work professional with Oldham Social Services. 

Having spent the majority of his life in Rochdale, Manchester where his 

father and mother were local GPs, Rana moved to London in 1986 and 

worked as a Race Equality Advisor to the Social Services Department in 

the London Borough of Ealing. Rana was instrumental in organising 

community consultation when Sunrise Radio (then West London Radio) 

won its first commercial radio station license in West London in 1989 and 

has maintained an association with the Sunrise Group ever since. 

Rana moved back to Manchester to be with his widowed and ailing mother 

in 1994 and worked as a Social Services Inspector. He gave up this job to 

become a part-time social worker to devote more time to looking after his 

mother. Following the demise of his mother in 2004 Rana is back working 

full time in Social Services and very active within Manchester’s Asian 

communities. 

With a wealth of Race, Community Relations and Voluntary Sector 

experience as well as in-depth association and knowledge of Manchester, 

Rana is ideally placed to be a Director of Kismat Asian Talk Radio in 

Manchester. Additionally Rana is a fluent Bengali speaker (this being his 

mother tongue) and has particularly close links with Bengali organisations. 

Married with one son, Rana has been key to our local plans since we 

started work on putting together our application for an Asian station in 

Manchester. 

Section 105 (A) : Page 4



Radio 

(ii) If there are firm plans to appoint any further directors, provide information (with details of any 

specific individuals in mind). This information may be submitted in confidence. 

The company plans to appoint a Managing Director around six months after launch who will 

necessarily live and work within the coverage area. The board will therefore ultimately comprise 

four locally based directors alongside three shareholder representatives. 

1. (b) PROPOSED INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDING STRUCTURE 

Ownership 

Nadeem Mir 

Age: 47 

Occupation 

Director of Finance, 

Sunrise Radio Group 


See below 

Directorships 

Tristar Broadcasting Limited 

Time FM 107.5 Limited 



Yarr Radio Ltd 

Heathrow Financial Services Ltd 

(i) Full details of the proposed shareholding structure 

Sunrise Radio Ltd (100%) 

Sunrise House, Merrick Road, Southall UB2 4AU 

(ii) Total number, class/classes of shares and issue price 

600,000 ordinary voting shares of £1 issued at par 

(iii) All voting shareholders 

Sunrise Radio Limited 

600,000 ordinary voting shares of £1 issued at par 

Nadeem Mir is a qualified accountancy professional with a 

demonstrable record of success in highly competitive world-class 

companies, including five years as Head of Financial Accounting at Yell 

plc and three years as Deputy Chief Accountant at an ICL division. 

Nadeem’s skills cover all aspects of financial systems, control and 

process review. 

Part of the team at Yell plc that prepared it for its flotation, Nadeem 

joined Sunrise in early 2003 as its Finance Director. 

(iv) Outline any shareholders agreements or arrangements which exist. 

Sunrise Radio Limited has agreed that it will subscribe for the entire equity of Kismat Radio 

Limited. Sunrise Group has undertaken to provide sufficient funding to Kismat to meet its 

obligations in this respect. 

Sunrise Group has also agreed to provide short term financing through its group facilities, 

and administrative and commercial traffic scheduling functions (see letter from Sunrise). 




Radio 

Ownership 

(v) Where a corporate body other than a current Ofcom licensee will be providing 30% or more of the 

required funding, details should be given of its directors and main shareholder, and of its activities. 

SUNRISE RADIO LIMITED : Sunrise Group has operated as a successful and profitable ethnic 

broadcaster in the UK over 15 years. Its mainstay Sunrise Radio, broadcasting on the analogue 1458 AM 

frequency to Greater London, has also been available for much of its life on satellite (initially on the Astra 

satellite and latterly on the Sky platform). Kismat Radio will shortly launch in London utilising 1035AM 

previously used by Easy Radio London. The company has made a substantial commitment to and investment 

in digital radio, and operates six DAB services with its Sunrise format in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, 

Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton; and four under its new Yarr (Young Asian Radio) format in 

Bradford, Coventry, Wolverhampton and London. Through its majority shareholder the company also 

operates radio stations in Sri Lanka and Mauritius. The company also has a number of non-radio interests. 

Sunrise Group is ultimately controlled by Avtar Lit and other family interests. 

LONDON MEDIA COMPANY LIMITED : LMC was established in January 2004 as a wholly-owned 

subsidiary of Sunrise Radio Limited as the vehicle for its entry into mainstream English language 

broadcasting. LMC currently operates Time FM 106.8 in South East London, Time FM 107.3 covering the 

London boroughs of Lewisham and Southwark, Time FM 107.5 in Havering, and Star FM 106.6 serving 

Slough, Maidenhead and Windsor (shortly to be renamed Time FM 106.6) together with Easy Radio London 

on DAB. The company aims to extend its operations through successful application for new licences to be 

advertised by Ofcom and through further acquisition of stations that fit the profile of the Time brand. 

Sunrise Group and LMC are both current licensees of Ofcom. Current company businesses can be grouped 

into three areas as follows: 

Asian Broadcasting 

Sunrise Radio London 

Kismat Radio London 

Sunrise Radio (DAB) 

Edinburgh 

Glasgow 

London 

Birmingham 

Coventry 

Wolverhampton 

Yarr Radio (DAB) 

Bradford 

Coventry 

London 

Wolverhampton 

Sunrise Radio Limited 

English Broadcasting 

Star FM 106.6 

Time FM 106.8 



Easy Radio (DAB) 

Non Broadcast 

Business 

Metra Club & Bar 

Hayes Gate House 

Heathrow Financial Services 

Himalaya Events & Exhibitions 

Asian Rich List 




Radio 

Ownership 

Company Boards 

The Board members of Sunrise Radio Limited and London Media Company are shown below: 

SUNRISE RADIO LIMITED 

LONDON MEDIA COMPANY 

COMPANY DIRECTORS 

Avtar Lit 

Surinderpal Singh (Tony) Lit 

Ravi Jain 

Shammy Batra 

Neil Romain 

Avtar Lit 

Shammy Batra 

The Directors of both Sunrise Group and LMC are well known to Ofcom. 

(vi) Ofcom may request additional information (e.g. a banker’s letter, statutory/management account) 

regarding the shareholders, or any other providers of finance, listed in the application. 

Documentation confirming Sunrise Group’s ability to provide finance that it has committed is available to 

Ofcom in the event that this should be required. 

Sunrise Radio Limited is an existing Ofcom licensee, and has a number of other successful businesses. It has 

consistently reported profits on its commercial activities, and has secure cash facilities through its bankers 

Allied Irish Bank Limited which are available to support its continued expansion plans, including the 

proposed investment in this licence. 

Sunrise Group will provide all the initial equity investment set out in this application. It will also provide 

through its group facilities any further funding that is necessary to establish the station. 




Radio 

1. (c) INVOLVEMENT OF THE APPLICANT IN SPECIFIED ACTIVITIES 

Ownership 

Details are required of the involvement of the applicant and its participants (including shareholders or 

other subscribers of more than 5% of the applicant’s total funding requirements) in any of the activities 

listed below, and the extent of the interest. 

(i) Advertising agencies; 

Not Applicable 

(ii) Newspapers; 


(iii) Other broadcasting interests; 

SUNRISE GROUP UK INTERESTS 

Licence Holding TSA Broadcast Area Platform 

Sunrise Radio Limited Al-156 100% 10,435,000 Greater London AM Analogue 

Sunrise Radio Limited DP-006 100% 10,435,000 Greater London DAB Digital 

Sunrise Radio Birmingham DP-006 100% 2,006,000 Birmingham DAB Digital 

Sunrise Radio Coventry DP-006 100% 647,000 Coventry DAB Digital 

Sunrise Radio Edinburgh DP-006 100% 1,118,00 Edinburgh DAB Digital 

Sunrise Radio Glasgow DP-006 100% 1,834,000 Glasgow DAB Digital 

Sunrise Radio Wolverhampton DP-006 100% 1,279,000 Wolverhampton DAB Digital 

YARR Bradford DP-006 100% 776,000 Bradford / Huddersfield DAB Digital 

YARR Coventry DP-006 100% 647,000 Coventry DAB Digital 

YARR London DP-006 100% 10,435,000 London DAB Digital 

YARR Wolverhampton DP-006 100% 1,279,000 Wolverhampton DAB Digital 

Bradford City Radio Limited AL-037 33% 486,000 Bradford FM Analogue 

Bradford City Radio Limited DP-061 33% 776,000 Bradford & Huddersfield DAB Digital 

Tristar Broadcasting Limited AL-148 100% 220,000 Slough / Maidenhead FM Analogue 

Time FM 106.8 Limited AL-040 100% 484,000 Thamesmead FM Analogue 

Time FM 107.3 Limited AL-219 100% 302,000 Lewisham / SE London FM Analogue 

Time FM 107.5 Limited AL-216 100% 374,000 Havering FM Analogue 

Easy Radio London (now Kismat) AL-160 100% 10,435,000 Greater London AM Analogue 

Easy Radio London Limited DP-006 100% 10,435,000 Greater London DAB Digital 

Sunrise is also available on Sky Channel 883 and Telewest and NTL cable networks 

Kismat Radio London is also available on Sky Channel 923; Yarr Radio is also available on Sky Channel 937 




Radio 

(iv) Bodies whose objects are wholly or mainly of a religious nature; 


(v) Bodies whose objects are wholly or mainly of a political nature; 


(vi) Local authorities; 


(vii) Other publicly funded bodies. 


2. FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS PLAN 

2. FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS PLAN 

(a) Overall Financial Strategy 

Provide a concise summary of how the applicant considers it is able to establish and maintain, throughout 

the licence period, its proposed service, and how the licence fits in with the investor’s strategy. 

Sunrise Group has unrivalled knowledge and experience of operating ethnic commercial radio stations in the UK. 

It was the first legal commercial station targeted at a particular ethnic group and has constantly redeveloped its 

original business model to maintain its position in an increasingly competitive marketplace, not only with new 

commercial entrants but in face of a well-resourced and increasingly aggressive BBC. Sunrise understands how to 

build a viable broadcasting business within the Asian community. 

Sunrise has been at the forefront of Asian broadcasting in the UK for over 15 years. During this time, it has 

established Sunrise Radio in London as the leading ethnic service in the UK, with an average of over 390,000 

listeners a week and more than 200 million listening hours in 2004. 

The BBC has recognised the need and potential for Asian broadcasting and is actively rolling-out its BBC Asian 

Network service across the UK on its DAB multiplexes. Only Sunrise has the will and the resources to develop 

substantial commercial competition. The Group has invested significantly in developing Sunrise through digital 

broadcasting: Sunrise Radio is carried on six DAB multiplexes and on Sky Digital. At the same time, the Group has 

invested in Yarr, a service for young Asians currently broadcast on four DAB multiplexes. 

The Group's latest Asian venture, Kismat Radio, is currently under test in London and will fully launch on 1035 

AM during February 2005. It will also be carried from launch on Sky Digital. Research in London showed an 

enthusiastic response to Kismat Radio, particularly among its target of listeners over 35. Initial sales indicate that 

businesses are also enthusiastic about the opportunity for targeting this influential group of older Asians. 

Kismat Radio offers a unique format to the Asian population of Manchester. Its speech basis and mix of Ghazals, 

Qawalis, Asian Folk, Gold, Hits and religious music will provide older Asians with a radio station designed 

specifically for them. Manchester is the right place for Kismat's innovative format, indeed, had the opportunity 

arisen earlier, Sunrise would have sought to launch Kismat in Manchester even before London. Demand in 

Manchester is high: over 70% of Asians surveyed said they would be likely to listen to Kismat. Significantly, there 

are over 40% of Asians who do not currently listen to the radio on a regular basis: two-thirds of these said they 

would be likely to listen to Kismat. 

Business Plan 




Radio 

In parallel, Sunrise Group is developing interests in non-ethnic broadcasting through its subsidiary London Media 

Company. LMC currently controls three stations operating under the Time brand and one as Star. 

Sunrise Group benefits from its private ownership that allows it to take a long-term view of its investments and 

development strategy. Sunrise has been profitable in each of the last 10 years, with almost all profits being reinvested 

in development of the Group's business. The company's family shareholders rarely accept dividends, the 

last time being 1999. In its last financial year to 31 December 2003, Sunrise recorded a pre-tax profit of £1.3 

million on turnover of £4.3 million. Operating results for 2004 will improve on this performance. The Group also 

has substantial committed funds available from its bankers to fund additional acquisition and development 

opportunities. 

Sunrise Group is therefore uniquely placed to establish, develop and sustain Kismat in Manchester. 

(b) Funding 

Details of the sources of finance that will be used to fund the licence: 

* Sunrise Group will make available through its group facilities any additional funding necessary for Kismat. 

Where relevant please provide information on: 

(i) Loan terms (e.g. interest rate, repayment terms, redemption/conversion terms) 


(ii) Assets Leased 

Business Plan 

(i) Share capital £600,000 

(ii) Loan stock nil 

(iii) Leasing/HP facilities (capital value) nil (excluding value of TBC) 

(iv) Bank overdraft nil 

(v) Grants and donations nil 

(vi) Other (please specify) nil * 





Radio 

2. (c) FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS 

The purpose of this section is to allow the applicant to demonstrate its understanding of the market. Its 

forecasts should be based on reasonable assumptions, that they are logically applied and justifiable. 

The applicant should provide financial projections on an annual basis for the licence. The projections must 

include: 

(i) Profit and loss accounts 

(ii) Balance sheets 

(iii) Cash-flow forecasts 

The period covered is at the discretion of the applicant, but should be justified. The forecasts should be 

supplied on an excel spreadsheet or similar, with any accompanying guidance notes. They may be submitted 

in confidence. 

Full financial projections, including Profit & Loss Accounts, Balance Sheets and Cash-flow projections are provided 

in confidence with this Application, from which the following brief summary is taken: 

The Manchester Area 

Manchester is a thriving commercial centre that continues to grow and develop. It’s population is drawn from a 

wide variety of backgrounds and all contribute to making Manchester what it is today - the economic heart of the 

Northwest. Once the engine room of the Empire, manufacturing continues to account for around 17% of the 

employment base but has been overtaken by office, administrative and managerial employment (30%) and the 

public sector (25%). The City now boasts a retail sector that rivals any in the UK: Manchester was recently voted 

third best place to shop in England and its success continues to grow. 

The Greater Metropolitan County of Manchester, as it was designated in 1974, comprises the City of Manchester 

and 10 surrounding towns (in fact 9 towns and 1 city) that previously straddled parts of Lancashire and Cheshire: 

Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford (city), Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan. Whilst all 

gravitate around the City of Manchester, each has its own history and traditions that are today reflected in the 

patterns of industrial activity and immigrant populations. One in eight of all Pakistanis and one in twelve of all 

Bangladeshis in Britain reside in Greater Manchester. This cultural diversity is expected to increase over time, 

given existing trends. 

Business Plan 

KISMAT MANCHESTER – BUSINESS PLAN SUMMARY 

Pre-Op Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 

REVENUES - 574 376 725 737 906 195 

GROSS MARGIN (13 750) 513 062 662 674 841 034 

COSTS 156 796 580 204 615 224 638 824 

PRE-TAX PROFIT (LOSS) (170 546) (67 141) 47 450 202 211 

RETAINED PROFIT (LOSS) C/F (169 299) (230 558) (180 600) 33 744 

Kismat Radio Manchester 




Radio 

Asians in Manchester 

The Asian connection with the Manchester area is interwoven with the history of the northern mill towns since 

the beginning of the industrial revolution. Early industrial success was based on cotton spinning, a technology 

borrowed from India that became central to the emergence of northern England as the 'factory of the world'. 

Cotton grown in the plantations of the Caribbean, the US deep South, or the fields of Bengal was brought to 

Lancashire and Yorkshire to be spun into cloth and sold back at profit to the Empire. This was a global trade 

before globalisation. 

By the 1960s, the mills were investing in new technologies, which were operated twenty-four hours a day to 

maximise profit. The night shifts, which were unpopular with the existing workforce, soon became the domain of 

the Pakistani and Bangladeshi workers who settled in the mill towns. The Asian population of Greater Manchester 

remains concentrated in the mill towns of Bolton, Oldham and Rochdale as well as central Manchester. 

The Asian workers who came were mainly young men from farming families from the North of the sub-continent 

(initially from the Mirpur region of Pakistan). Some came from the area where 250 villages had been flooded to 

make way for the Mangla Dam. Others had relatives who were in the British army during the War or in the 

merchant navy as cooks. 

Subsequently, workers came from Pakistan as well as the Indian Gujarat and also from Punjab and Bangladesh. A 

few Gujarati Asians came later as refugees from ex-British colonies in East Africa (mainly to Bolton). They had 

British passports and came as whole families. Many of them had an advantage in the job market as they had an 

urban background and some English schooling from East Africa. 

Until the collapse of manufacturing in the late 1970s nearly all Asians were employed. They had come to work and 

save so they did long hours of over-time and night shifts and lived simply. At first they spent very little on 

themselves, sending most of their earnings home. 

The men were often related or came from nearby villages. Relatives pooled finances to send someone to Britain 

for a year or two until he had earned a nest egg sufficient to invest in farm improvements. After a few years he 

would return home to be replaced by another brother. 

This circulation stopped when immigration controls were gradually tightened. The closing of the door meant that 

Asian workers did not like to take the risk of going home and gradually began to send for their wives and children. 

However, as the machinery developed, the need for labour diminished and could be got for less elsewhere. The 

work once done cheaply by Bangladeshi workers in the north of England could now be done even more cheaply by 

Bangladeshi workers in Bangladesh. 

It is only relatively recently that communities have stabilised and it is possible to identify an emerging ‘Asian’ 

economy in the area. Asian communities have turned to the local service economy, pooling savings and setting up 

shops, restaurants, take-away’s and joining the transportation as well as the public sector. 

Another area well represented by Asians (though few in overall number) is the medical profession, particularly 

doctors, as well as other professional groups. Pakistanis and Bangladeshi’s predominate in the catering and 

transportation businesses whilst Indians do so in fashion and general retailing. 

A thriving Asian retail success story can be seen for instance in Rusholme with its myriad jewellery, fashion and 

food outlets (not to forget Meena and Kirit Pathak, of Heaton, who run Patak's (they dropped the 'h' to make it 

less 'ard to pronounce) supplying authentic Asian food to 90 per cent of the country's Indian restaurants and big 

chain stores like Tesco. 

Manchester and the surrounding area is third after only London and Middlesex as home to Asian millionaires! 

Business Plan 




Radio 

Manchester's Asian Population 

Greater Manchester is home to a significant and rapidly growing Asian population. Today, there are over 148 000 

Asians representing 6% of the population of the metropolitan county, a proportion that is estimated as high as 10% 

by 2010. 

Significantly, Asians are particularly concentrated in a number of towns in the area, largely the old mill town 

districts: Bolton, Bury, Manchester city, Oldham and Rochdale. 

As a result of this centralisation, it is estimated that the Asian population amounts to over 8% of the more 

restricted area effectively covered by this licence. 

Half of Manchester's Asian population is of Pakistani origin, another quarter Indian and the remainder 

Bangladeshi or other origin. Those of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin make up nearly two-thirds of the 

Asian population, compared with London where the largest proportion is of Indian origin. 

Those of Indian origin are principally concentrated in Bolton, with Pakistanis and Bangladeshis mainly in 

Manchester, Oldham and Rochdale. 

There has been and continues to be a higher birth rate among the Asian than the overall population: 28% of all 

Asians are under the age of 15. As a result, the age profiles compared with that of the general population shows a 

younger bias. Nevertheless, the over-35's targeted by Kismat account for 48% of the Asian population (29% over 

45). 

Business Plan 

We believe Asians in the Manchester area, particularly older members of the community, have less real choice 

among existing services than the general population. Mainstream audiences in Manchester have a range of services 

second only to London: six local or regional commercial stations, a number of smaller-scale alternatives and the 

full range of BBC radio. 

We are satisfied that there will be significant demand for Kismat, both from listeners and advertisers in the 

Manchester area. But the market for Asians is only a fraction of the general population. The revenue potential and 

operating requirements are not the same for a minority station as for one that addresses the whole market. 

Sunrise Radio has been successful because it understands the Asian marketplace and the realities of serving a 

minority audience. The financial projections for Kismat radio reflect this market knowledge and experience. 

Business Plan 

All People All Asian Asian % 

GREATER MANCHESTER - ASIAN POPULATION 

Mixed 

Asian 

Indian Pakistani Bangladeshi 

BOLTON 261 037 24 614 9.4% 970 15 884 6 487 268 1 005 

BURY 180 608 7 954 4.4% 643 1 211 5 492 168 440 

MANCHESTER 392 819 38 336 9.8% 2 459 5 817 23 104 3 654 3 302 

OLDHAM 217 273 26 493 12..2% 686 1 562 13 754 9 817 674 

ROCHDALE 205 357 20 891 10..2% 769 743 15 829 2 594 956 

SALFORD 216 103 3 484 1.6% 495 1 196 963 402 428 

STOCKPORT 284 528 6 882 2.4% 915 1 867 2 949 353 798 

TAMESIDE 213 043 8 973 4.2% 506 3 087 2 596 2 493 291 

TRAFFORD 210 145 9 225 4.4% 717 3 883 3 613 243 769 

WIGAN 301 415 1 713 0.6% 387 681 400 72 173 

TOTAL 2 482 328 148 565 6.0% 8 547 35 931 75 187 20 064 8 836 

% Asian 100% 5.8% 24.2% 50.6% 13.5% 5.9% 

ONS Census 2001 

Other 

Asian 




Radio 

Revenue Projections 

Our experience in London shows that Asian businesses demand a different way of buying advertisng space. They 

are more content with long term commitments but require with it a greater degree of flexibility that is more 

aligned to the changing short term needs of what are predominantly family-based retail businesses. 

Economic activity amongst Pakistani and Bangladeshi women is lower than the population at large (in common 

with these communities in the rest of Britain). This is largely accounted for by social and cultural reasons. 

Nevertheless, these women have a significant sway over the spending priorities of families. Added to this is the 

respect and control that older members of the Asian communities exert (again due to social and cultural reasons). 

As younger Asian businesses recognise, economic decisions and advertising budgets remain largely controlled by 

the older family members. 

Kismat will build its local business based on the Sunrise sales model and our financial forecasts have drawn on the 

actual performance of Sunrise Radio, the yield rates generated, the pricing structures, inventory levels and the size 

and structure of the sales team that is necessary to exploit the full potential of the market. 

From this, we established the spot rates for Manchester that generate the revenue lines in our financial forecasts. 

The assumed average spot rate represents about 20% of the non package spot rate for Sunrise’s local sales in 

London. The yield rates used for comparison are based on Sunrise Radio’s actual performance for the last financial 

year. The comparative data and our detailed revenue forecasts are set out on the ‘Key Revenue Assumptions’ 

worksheet in the confidential Financial Appendix. 

Our experience, confirmed by or recent monitoring of Asian Sound, is that Asian stations outside London receive 

almost no national revenue. In London, Sunrise maintains a significant national sales team that currently generates 

around 20% of its advertising business. Kismat Radio would be represented by Sunrise for national sales, both 

opening the door to national sales for Kismat and adding further opportunity for agency buyers. We have 

therefore included with confidence a modest level of national revenue for Kismat. 

Costs 

Apart from the economies of scale that can be generated as part of the Sunrise group in administrative and 

technical areas, Kismat Radio will be run locally with its own MD, sales team and local newsroom. The cost base 

set out in our financial forecasts reflects the resources necessary to ensure that level of independence and service, 

again based on our substantial operating experience. 

Marketing and Promotion 

The dynamics of marketing a stations for Asian listeners are different from those of a mainstream station. 

Awareness among the target community is not the difficulty. We have provided for a smaller marketing and 

promotion budget that would be the case for a mainstream service. 

Activity among the community locally remains most important. Our plans therefore focus on the use of posters 

and specific community events. We have also provided for a high-profile station vehicle that will be out and about 

in the area on a permanent basis, either collecting news stories and local features or doing live broadcasts from 

local events, shop openings, fêtes, school sports days and the like. 

2. (d) AUDIENCE PROJECTIONS 

(i) The target audience for the proposed service; 

Kismat Radio is a speech-based service that is aimed at Asian listeners over the age of 35. We have taken account 

of the severe interference limitations for this licence. These are examined more fully below, but fortunately do not 

hamper coverage of Manchester and the surrounding towns that are home to the area's Asian communities. 

Business Plan / Audience Projections 




Radio 

We have prudently assumed that the TSA will be reduced by some 20%, reflecting the clear difference indicated by 

Ofcom between the measured coverage of Galaxy and this new licence. Applied to the Galaxy TSA of 2,257,000 

we have therefore adopted an overall TSA base of just 1.8 million adults. However, this is largely irrelevant to the 

Asian audience, with a potential universe of around 149,000. Of these, 71,449 or just under half are aged 35-plus 

and 29% over 45. Our audience projections are essentially based on the target Asian population, though we have 

also included an equivalent reach calculation among the overall adult population of the reduced TSA. 

(ii) Projections for listenership ratings over the first three years of the service; 

Our audience projections are essentially based on the target Asian population, though we have also included an 

equivalent reach calculation among the overall adult population of the reduced TSA. 

Audience Projections 

MANCHESTER LICENCE – ASIAN TSA 

All M F 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ 

Galaxy TSA 000's 2 257 1 093 1 164 365 359 439 339 326 429 

Galaxy Profile % 100% 48% 52% 16% 16% 19% 15% 14% 19% 

Licence TSA 000's 1 800 872 928 291 286 350 271 260 342 

Asian Profile % 100% 50% 50% 27% 25% 19% 14% 8% 7% 

Asian TSA 148 565 74 929 73 635 39 504 37 613 28 101 20 660 12 037 10 651 

Kismat from Ipsos/RAJAR; ONS Census 2001 

KISMAT RADIO MANCHESTER – AUDIENCE PROJECTIONS 

All M F 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ 

Licence TSA 000's 1 800 872 928 291 286 350 271 260 342 

Asian TSA 148 565 74 929 73 635 39 504 37 613 28 101 20 660 12 037 10 651 

YEAR 1 

Asian Reach % 30% 30% 30% 14% 22% 34% 45% 54% 51% 

Reach 44 570 22 479 22 091 5 531 8 275 9 554 9 297 6 500 5 432 

Average Hours 10.0 10.1 9.9 9.4 9.7 10.0 10.3 10.4 10.0 

Weekly Hours 000's 446 227 218 54 82 97 94 67 53 

Licence TSA Reach % 2.5% 2.6% 2.4% 1.9% 2.9% 2.7% 3.4% 2.5% 1.6% 

YEAR 2 

Asian Reach % 35% 35% 35% 16% 26% 40% 53% 63% 60% 

Reach 51 998 26 225 25 773 6 452 9 654 11 147 10 847 7 583 6 337 

Average Hours 10.5 10.6 10.4 9.9 10.2 10.5 10.8 10.9 10.5 

Weekly Hours 000's 546 278 267 64 98 117 117 83 67 


YEAR 3 

Asian Reach % 39% 39% 39% 18% 29% 44% 59% 70% 56% 

Reach 57 940 29 222 28 718 7 190 10 757 12 421 12 086 8 450 7 061 

Average Hours 11.0 11.1 10.9 10.3 10.7 11.0 11.3 11.4 11.0 

Weekly Hours 000's 637 325 312 74 115 137 137 97 78 


Kismat Estimates 




Radio 

(iii) The expected impact of the proposed service on existing services, in listenership terms; 

A significant finding from the Survey was that over 40% of Asians did not listen to the radio regularly on a weekly 

basis. This compares with RAJAR data for the population as a whole that shows that 85% of people had listened to 

the radio weekly (and 90% nationally, confirming how the low score among Asians results in under-performance 

for the Manchester market as a whole). This represents a substantial pool of some 62,400 listeners who are clearly 

not satisfied with the existing choice of services. Of these, 66% said that they would be likely to listen to Kismat 

(20% very likely). We are therefore confident that Kismat will generate significant new listening to the radio in the 

area. 

Evidently some listening will be shared with or come from other stations including, to an extent, Asian Sound. But 

we expect this to be spread among other stations and not to affect Asian Sound disproportionately. Amongst 

those who listen regularly to radio and are likely to listen to Kismat, 39% listened currently to commercial radio 

(other than Asian Sound), 32% to BBC services (including BBC Asian Network) and 29% to Asian Sound. 

This confirms our impression that there remains a large proportion of Manchester's Asian community that does 

not presently listen to Asian Sound. RAJAR data for the Galaxy TSA (Q3-2004, Table 7) record 32,000 weekly 

listeners to BBC Asian Network for an average of 12.2 hours per week and 11,000 listeners to Sunrise Radio for 

an average of 7.9 hours. Together that represents some 30% of Asians in the Manchester area who are listening to 

non-local digital stations. 

Unfortunately, Asian Sound is not included in RAJAR data. However, data from our Survey (reviewed in Section 

105 D below), indicated that Asian Sound had achieved weekly reach of 24% among Asians surveyed. A further 

22% had listened to Asian Sound more occasionally, but not during the previous week. Put another way, more 

than half of the Asians sampled do not listen to Asian Sound. 

Kismat will extend listening in Manchester by attracting many Asians who either do not listen to the radio or who 

listen to stations other than Asian Sound. 

(iv) The basis on which the estimates have been calculated and assumptions. 

Overall our survey indicated that 73% of respondents would be likely to listen to Kismat, with 29% very likely and 

a further 44% quite likely. Among respondents who listen regularly to the radio this rose to 78% (36% very likely), 

whilst two-thirds of those who do not presently listen to the radio regularly were also likely to listen to Kismat. 

These figures provide clear evidence of substantial support for Kismat and give confidence in the likely success of 

the format. But they cannot be interpreted as implying reach, nor do we believe it sound to attempt to compute 

reach from likely listening by any hypothetical mathematic formula. Similarly, we took into account the frequency 

of likely listening shown in the survey but have not extrapolated average listening hours from such data. 

We also looked at a number of other factors, including RAJAR data for the Manchester market (Galaxy TSA) and 

for Sunrise Radio in London. Unfortunately, RAJAR data is not available for Asian Sound but our Survey was 

designed to assist in assessing listening to that station. Overall, we estimate that Kismat will achieve listening 

around the same level as Asian Sound, though principally among older age groups. Equated to the full licence TSA 

applicable to mainstream stations, Kismat's projected reach among all adults would amount to 2.5% in Year 1 rising 

to 3.2% in Year 3. By way of comparison, Sunrise London achieved an all adult reach of 3.3% in Q3-2004. 

Audience Projections 




Radio 

3. TRANSMISSION PROPOSALS 

(i) Provide details of the transmission site, or sites, you propose to use, under the following headings: 

Transmission 

Sunley Building 

(a) Name and National Grid Reference of the site; 

NGR SJ 844 983 

(b) Height of site above Ordnance datum (in metres); 

44 metres 

(c) Height of transmitting aerial above ground level in metres); 

126 metres 

(d) Radiated power in either or both planes of polarisation, and aerial radiated pattern (if no aerial 

radiation pattern is submitted, it will be assumed without exception to be omni directional). 

500 watts vertical + 500 watts horizontal 

Antenna pattern will be omni-directional 

The applicant should confirm whether he believes that his intended mast aperture will be available, 

and whether, where required, planning permission can be obtained. Where appropriate, evidence to 

support this belief should be provided. Details of any negotiations which have been entered into with 

the site owner(s) should also be provided. 

NTL has offered us site-sharing facilities at Sunley Building. No planning permission is required as the 

antenna already exists; the changes required are all accommodated within the building 

The information provided above must take into account any requirements set out in Section 2 of this 

Notice. In the event of minor non-compliance, Ofcom may revisit an applicant’s proposals with a view 

to modest readjustment following award and closer scrutiny. Significant non-compliance may render 

the application liable to disqualification. 

Sunley Building, by virtue of its location, provides excellent coverage of Manchester and surrounding area. 

(ii) Please provide a detailed computer predicted map (in colour) of the coverage anticipated using the 

transmission site(s) and parameters described above. 

The coverage predictions overleaf show both the nominal coverage from the transmitter and the 

interference limitations, signalled by Ofcom in the advertisement of this licence. High quality image files have 

also been provided with our appendix documents. We are keenly aware of the limitations of this licence and 

have taken them into account in our financial and other plans. However, it is clear that interference is worst 

to the south and southwest of Manchester, areas of relatively affluent white population. The main Asian 

areas of Bolton, Oldham, Manchester and Rochdale are better covered making Kismat an ideal candidate for 

this licence. Please see the coverage prediction maps overleaf. 




Radio 

Transmission 




Radio 

(iii) Describe proposed arrangements for transmission provision. 

Transmission 

Ofcom will be familiar with NTL’s facilities and know the company to be sufficiently well-resourced to install 

the complete system and subsequently maintain and monitor the Transmission parameters. Telemetry and 

remote monitoring systems provide information back to NTL’s control centre (e.g. Carrier Power, lack of 

modulation etc on a 24 hr basis). Maintenance personnel are equipped with the necessary spares and test 

equipment to resolve problems swiftly. 

There is currently no DAB facility in Manchester available for Kismat Radio, however, Kismat is committed 

to digital transmission at the earliest opportunity. 

(iv) What is the anticipated time-lapse between the award of licence and start of broadcasting? 

Kismat Radio intends to be on-air within 6 months of award of licence. 


Section 105(B & C): Catering For Tastes & Broadening Audience Choice 


Radio 

2. PROGRAMMING PHILOSOPHY 

Kismat Asian Talk Radio will be a speech-based service aimed particularly at listeners among the Asian 

communities across Manchester. It will be targeted specifically for Asian listeners over 35 with particular appeal to 

older Asians and would aim to include and involve women. It will broadcast at least 55% speech during daytime 

programmes (one-third at other times), accompanied by a mix of popular forms of easy listening music appealing 

to the older target audience 

All programmes will be well prepared, researched and structured to provide appropriate discussion between the 

studio presenters, guests and listeners. Kismat will aim to play an important role in the life of older Asians across 

Manchester from all communities and will become the place where the voice of Asians can be heard on current affairs 

affecting Manchester as well as relevant political, economic and social issues. 

It is our aim that the station will promote the celebration of diversity amongst Asian cultures and between Asians 

as a whole and all other cultures. It will provide a platform for British Asians to promote the competitive 

advantage of the nation. We want to bridge the gaps left by mainstream media which cannot capture these 

innovations because it is structurally unable to penetrate communities or place value on these cultural concepts. 

Kismat intends to widen the mainstream media offering and - at the same time - enable greater Asian and minority 

participation in such media by growing the talent pool from the grassroots within communities, giving them skills, 

experience and opportunities currently denied. 

The name, Kismat, will strike a chord with listeners among all parts of the Asian community. More than a word, it 

is a concept encompassing the essence and surprise of life. It reflects the ambition of the station for its listeners. 

The format resembles nothing that exists in Manchester today. 

The station will also provide a quality local, national, international news (with emphasis of the Asian sub-continent) 

and information service. Throughout weekday daytime programmes, 8 minute bulletins will be broadcast at the 

top of each hour from 06.00 to 23.00 inclusive (incorporating Asian language after 18.00), together with headlines 

every 30 minutes in peak drive times. Other features throughout the day will ensure that Asian listeners are kept 

informed of everything that could have an effect on their daily lives. Topical stories prevalent in the news on the 

day will we be weaved into the discussion and phone-in “talk” elements of the programmes that follow. 

Travel and weather updates will be broadcast at least hourly with regular What’s On information featured in all 

output. Our Community Access features will offer air-time support for the many local charity and voluntary 

organisations in the region. The Invisible Asian features will provide invaluable help and advice to the Asian 

community. Lively entertainment features, Bollywood & Lollywood Gossip, interesting anecdotes and ad-hoc 

instant appeals for help from our listeners will all combine to make Kismat Manchester a unique focal point for all 

Asian communities in the region. 

Approximately 40% of speech will be in English with the remainder encompassing Asian languages in a multi-lingual 

environment to allow interaction from all groups in the Asian and wider communities. Delivery will be in a lively 

and informative manner with plenty of opportunity for audience interaction and input. Presenters will be chosen 

carefully - not just for their love of broadcasting but also for their knowledge of the various genres of Asian music 

as well as their understanding of the area, the Asian ethos and community variants therein. 

Whilst music will form a smaller element of the station’s output, it will also have an important role to play. Great 

care will be taken to ensure that the songs chosen will have maximum appeal to our over 35 audience. The mix of 

Asian music will be predominantly based around Asian Gold, Folk, Qawalis and Ghazals drawn from a substantial 

library. 

Programme Philosophy 

Section 105 (B & C) : Page 1



Radio 

Speech 

Speech will account for over half of programme output during the daytime and around one-third at other times. 

Output will include both English and Asian languages in a multi-lingual environment to allow interaction from all 

groups in the Asian communities. In particular: 

Full local national and international news bulletins; 

Practical information - traffic, travel weather, etc.; 

Extended news & magazine features specifically relevant to Asian listeners; 

Information, discussion & debate; 

Interactive dialogue with listeners through phone-in programmes; 

Unique Shairi (spontaneous poetry composition); 

Information & features about local life, leisure & activities. 

Involvement with local organisations & community groups. 

Kismat Manchester will broadcast a wide range of information features throughout the day. We believe that the 

speech element will be an essential component of our service and that our audience demands it. Local News, World 

& National News, Regional News and News About My Country Of Origin will be the four most important speech 

elements on the new station. Topical issues, guests interviews and a bountiful What’s On diary will also make 

regular appearances on our airwaves as will, most importantly, the views of our listeners. 

Other important elements of the speech mix will include coverage of Cultural Festivals, Education initiatives, 

Unemployment and Training information, Medical Issues, Crime Prevention, Legal Matters, Community Access and 

all other issue touching on people’s daily lives. A fundamental philosophy is to be accessible to listeners. The 

presentation team will be encouraged to include listener participation during their programmes both through the 

week and at weekends – these will be a mix of both the light-hearted and the informative, generally with a local slant. 

Our parent company, Sunrise Radio, has over a decade of experience of broadcasting to Asians in the UK alone 

and has built immense experience in that time. It has also invested substantial amounts in research and been a key 

player in assisting with improved accuracy in RAJAR reporting on ethnic minorities. Tastes and interests have been 

examined at length in previous Sunrise owned Asian applications (570 sample in the West Midlands and a 500 

sample in Glasgow in 2003 alone). A further 350 Asians were questioned last year during our initial viability check 

into the programme format of Kismat Radio. This has been honed further this year with the Focus Group testing 

carried out specifically for this Manchester application. Consequently, we can be sure that the speech features we 

have included will be immensely popular amongst our Asian audience and particularly those in the over 35 age 

group. 

Over and above our generic speech elements we have also provided some particular programmes that will ensure the 

liveliest of debates such as our showcase programme, Sunday Soapbox, on Sunday morning. Originally launched to 

great acclaim by Sunrise’s founder, Avtar Lit has pledged to present the programme personally when Kismat launches 

in Manchester. The programme will include a roundup of local news and issues together with phone-in participation 

and discussion. Sunday Soapbox will provide the ideal opportunity for local politicians and decision-makers to put 

forward their opinions and plans and discuss them with the people whose lives would be affected. 

Kismat Radio is ready to embrace a hot bed of issues and will not shirk any, ensuring that our audience will not 

only be talking about us but with us. 

Catering For Tastes 




Radio 

Speech And Language Proportions 

Specifics relating to language and speech proportions planned for Kismat programming are summarised in the 

tables below: 

PROGRAMME FEATURES 

Weatherr Weathe 

Kismat will ensure that the latest forecasts are broadcast throughout the day as part of the news block and on the half 

hour during morning and afternoon drivetime. Top of the hour reports will include a synopsis for the next 48 hours. 

Traffic Traffic & & Travel Travel 

We will provide an accurate and gimmick-free travel service. These reports will play an important rôle in our output 

as Manchester has some of the busiest roads in the country. We will broadcast the very latest information about 

what’s happening on rail and roads - up-weighting the number of reports during traditional commuting times. Bulletins 

will be broadcast 3 times an hour during drivetime periods and twice an hour at other times during weekday daytime 

peak. We are also committed to relaying important and urgent travel information at off-peak times in the evenings and 

weekends as the need arises. Kismat has an agreement in principle with AA Roadwatch to provide travel information. 

What’s What’s Ons Ons 

Kismat will keep listeners constantly up-to-date with charitable events and information of local entertainment and 

leisure activities throughout the area. These will include listings of the latest Bollywood smashes at the region’s 

cinemas to weekend jumble sales or where to find the local Asian music scene. Our Manchester What’s On listings 

will be broadcast as appropriate around the clock. 

Community Access Access 

Community Access is one of our ways of putting something back into the community which has been demonstrably 

successful elsewhere within the Sunrise Group. We will regularly invite local charitable and voluntary organisations and 

professionals working in statutory and semi-statutory bodies into our studios and they will be able to appeal for 

volunteers, new members or simply keep the Manchester Asian population informed of their activities. Community 

Access will be broadcast regularly and generally be featured three times per day within daytime programming. 

Herald Herald Todayy Toda 

Every morning during the Breakfast Show Kismat takes a look at the national, Asian and local newspapers picking 

from both the serious and light-hearted stories. 


LANGUAGE OUTPUT 

English 40% 

Urdu / Hindi 35% 

Punjabi 20% 

Others 5% 

SPEECH AS % OF PROGRAMME OUTPUT 

Day time 

(06.00-19.00) 

Non-day time 

(19.00-06.00) 

Min. % Max. % Min. % Max. % 

On a typical weekday 55 70 30 60 

On a typical Weekend 40 60 30 60 




Radio 

Job Job Search Search 

Traditionally, the Asian Community is very hard-working and keen to find gainful employment which is why assistance 

in finding work will be an essential part of our programming. Kismat will liaise with the local Job Centres and broadcast 

a selection of the latest vacancies four times a day. 

Classic Classic Bolly Bolly Lolly Lolly 

We will keep listeners up-to-date with the very latest gossip and film release news from Bollywood and Lollywood 

(Pakistani variant) skewed to older actors and information of appeal to older listeners. The longevity of Asian actors is 

legendary and will provide a wealth of material. Whilst generally presented in an ad-hoc fashion as part of 

presentation, this information will always be featured in drivetime segments - but not exclusively. 

Money Money Matterss Matter 

A brief round-up of the day’s key local and national news from the world of finance. Asians are also interested in 

exchange rates and gold prices. Bulletins are broadcast during drivetimes. 

Sports Sports Forum Forum 

Sports bulletins will be sprinkled throughout the day specifically in drivetimes. This feature will cover local sporting 

events with emphasis on cricket, kabadi, hockey and football with which all our mainstream audience is familiar. 

Council Council Forum Forum 

Local Council news roundup. 

The The Kismat Kismat Forum Forum 

During many of our phone-in sequences, community organisations and prominent individuals will be invited to talk 

directly with the residents of the area and, therefore, provide a valuable forum for them to discuss problems that are 

directly related to topical issues. Additional support will be available from helpline telephone services supported by 

local organisations and this will also be both supported and promoted by Kismat via the use of its interactive web site. 

The The Invisible Invisible Asian Asian 

There is no such thing as a “typical” Asian. Whilst total integration can’t happen overnight, there’s no doubt there is a 

big difference between first, second and third generation Asians and the generation gap is far greater than experienced 

by the white community. Different cultures and varying religious beliefs can mystify further. First generation Asians not 

only struggle to accept major issues such as mixed marriages but are also shocked by numerous other issues. 

For example, more than a few second and third generation Asians have adopted Western habits such as keeping pets. 

To a first generation Muslim, this is incongruous. This feature, broadcast three times a day embraces the diverse ethnic 

community and seeks to de-mystify the problems of modern Asian life in Manchester. We offer impartial advice and 

help but, most importantly, listen to the wide-ranging views of our audience who help put life in a clearer context. 

Often, items will equally be light-hearted and anecdotal in nature. Cultural specific topics will be presented in an 

inspirational and enlightening way so that the cultural experience becomes a learning experience for the indigenous 

and otherwise. Equally, a large proportion of our ethnic social information will have universal appeal. For example, 

information about Asian food, melas, social education and unemployment transcend all ethnic origin boundaries. 





Radio 

NEWS SCHEDULING 

SPORT 

Kismat Radio recognises the importance of Sport in the region and its sports reports will be designed to keep its 

audience up to date with the plethora of local involvement with a bias towards Asian interests such as cricket, 

football, hockey and kabadi. Sports bulletins will be scheduled as below: 


KISMAT NEWS SCHEDULE 

Time Monday to Friday Time Saturday Sunday 

00.00-05.00 IRN 00.00-05.00 IRN IRN 

06.00 IRN + Kismat News Mix 06.00 IRN + Kismat News Mix IRN + Kismat News Mix 

06.30 Headlines 06.30 Headlines Headlines 












15.00 IRN + Kismat News Mix 15.00 IRN IRN 


16.30 Headlines 16.30 - - 


17.30 Headlines 17.30 - - 


19.00-23.00 IRN + Kismat News Mix 19.00-23.00 IRN IRN 

IRN + Kismat News Mix bulletins will be approximately 8 minutes in duration 

Kismat News Mixes will feature Regional, Local, Asian Interest and Asian sub-continent news 

Headlines and related features will be 1 minute maximum in duration. Public Holiday schedules follow Sundays. 

Kismat News Mixes between 06.00 & 18.00 will be broadcast in English 

Kismat News Mixes between 19.00 & 23.00 will be broadcast in Asian 

KISMAT NEWS SCHEDULE 

DAY TIME FREQUENCY DURATION 

Weekdays 07.00-09.00 1 report per hour 90 secs each 

Weekdays 16.00-16.30 1 report 3 minutes 

Weekdays 17.00-18.00 1 report 90 secs each 

Saturday 07.00-09.00 1 report per hour 90 secs each 

Saturday 17.00-18.00 2 reports 2 minutes 

Sunday 07.00-09.00 1 report 90 secs each 

All Sports Bulletins will be read in English 




Radio 

Music 

Kismat Radio’s music policy will have very little in common with the East Lancashire station, Asian Sound, which 

tends to concentrate on Bollywood and contemporary Bhangra music. Contemporary Bhangra, for example, has 

maximum appeal amidst an under 35 audience which is one reason why it will be avoided in our own output. 

However, Asian Gold and Ghazals are much more popular with an over 35 audience and Qawalis and Asian Folk 

(Asian Folk music represents the music of Punjab [Indian & Pakistani] and Gujarat) grow in appeal for those aged 

over 40. Thus, it is this music style that we will present to our mature Asian audience along with some religious 

devotional music during early mornings. 

Kismat Radio’s format provides for a minimum of 30% and maximum of 45% music in its peaktime weekday 

program schedule. The style and presentation of this music will be relaxed and we will ensure that all presenters 

have sufficient specialist knowledge needed to play older appeal tracks. All music will be played with the 

intervention of a presenter. 

There will be virtually no repetition as the choice of Folk music, Ghazals and Qawalis is vast. The concept of a top 

100 or top 10 simply does not apply as there are no charts published for this type of music. Furthermore, the 

most popular example of songs in this arena invariably consists of older music. 

Examples of these music types are identified below: 


Gold & Hits 

Folk Music of Asia 

Qawaalis 

Ghazals 

Religious Music 

KISMAT MUSIC EXAMPLES 

Mohd Rafi / Taarif Karun Kys Uski 

Lata Mangeshkar / Inhi Logon Ne 

Asha Bhosle / Ina Mina Dika 

Manna Dey / Ey Meri Zuhra Ja Been 

Mehndra Kapoor / Tum Agar Saath Dene Ka 

Atta Ulla Khan / Kameez Teri Kali` 

Gurdas Mann / Peer Tere Jaan Di 

Shaukat Ali / Mawa Thandian Shawan 

Ashit Desii / Pankhida Jae Pava Gadh 

Surinder Kaur / Jutt Kurian to Darda 

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan / Dam Mast Qalandar 

Sabri Brothers / Maine Pyar Kiya Hai 

Aziz Mian Qawal / Main Sharabi 

Badar Ali Qawal / Gal Muki Na Sajan Naal Meri 

Mehndi Hassan / Ek Hussan Ki Pari 

Pankaj Udhas / Niklo Na Be Naqab 

Talat Aziz / Saamne Aa Ke Tujh Ko Pukara Nahi 

Pervez Mehndi / Ab Ke Baras 

Rattan Sharma / Gayatri Mantra 

S Prakash Kaushik / Laksharchana 

Namaz / Syed Saleem Gilani 

Giani Sant Singh JJ Maskin / Anik Roop Tere 




Radio 

Proportions of music types will be approximately in line with the table below: 

MUSIC SCHEDULING 

Our programming will draw from a broad library providing variety across the decades and genres. This library 

contains around 12,000 songs ensuring that no song is repeated in any one day. Material will be specifically chosen 

to have broad appeal. Songs will be scheduled to ensure that the station has a recognisable style and consistency of 

quality whilst avoiding intrusive repetition. This professional mix will be achieved utilising industry recognised 

computerised scheduling software. 


MUSIC GENRE PROPORTIONS 

Asian Gold 40% 

Folk 35% 

Ghazals 10% 

Qawalis 10% 

Religious / Devotional 5% 


06.00 

to 

10.00 

10.00 

to 

13.00 

13.00 

to 

17.00 

17.00 

to 

19.00 

19.00 

to 

22.00 

22.00 

to 

01.00 

01.00 

to 

06.00 

KISMAT MANCHESTER PROGRAMME SCHEDULE - MONDAY TO FRIDAY 

SAVERA 

A fast-paced interactive news programme taking views on the big stories of the day from Asians in Manchester and discussing how they 

affect the local community, this show will be lively and informative and a great way to start the day. Interviewees will be mainly drawn 

from political circles but we will also welcome other experts and media observers. Our 8 minute bulletins kick off at 06.00 with 

headlines on the half hour. There'll be a look at the morning newspapers - national and local alongside Asian publications. The 

programme will be the most speech-led of the day so the music that we do play will be the most popular examples of Asian Gold & Hits. 

AUR HAI KYA 

Aur Hai Kya will be more relaxed than our Breakfast Show but still busy with a regular schedule of guests every day. Less news 

oriented, this programme will concentrate more on issues that concern Asians in Greater Manchester. This time will be reserved to 

chat to health carers, Loacal Authority departments, doctors, education experts and lawyers etc. Debates will take place daily and 

listeners will be encouraged to phone-in and join the discussions or to send in text messages or e-mails. On occasion Human Interest 

stories will also fill much of this slot and there will always be time to dip into our latest Care In The Community items. Kismat news 

will feature hourly throughout and there'll be plenty of What's On information., Musically this segment will take on more of an Asian 

folk theme with plenty of opportunity for dedications. 

AAP KI AWAAZ 

More friendly interactive debate which largely returns to the news stories of the day although our music will remain largely within the 

Asian Folk genre. Deliberately placed at a time when some stories will have moved on since breakfast and when our listeners' 

perception of them will certainly have evolved. Listener participation will continue to be a strong feature of the programme and 

Asians, both male and female, will be encouraged to take part. This will also be the perfect slot for coverage of local events and, on 

occasion, major national ones. Where appropriate we will broadcast live from exhibitions, rellgious festivals and melas. Our What's 

On schedule will keep you up to date as to where and when some of these major events as well as many smaller local calendar dates. 

KISMAT GETS YOU HOME 

Our attention turns to getting our listeners home and news will play an increasing part of our conversation as headlines return on the 

hour in addition to our regular 8 minute bulletins. Weather and travel reports will also become more frequent - especially when the 

journey home is really snarled up as so often can be the case in Greater Manchester. Discussion is more likely to turn to our favou rite 

subject of politics at this time as we hear what has been going on at Westminster during the day or what our local councilors have had 

to say. We'll also be reporting on the major sports stories and rounding-up the latest Business and Financial news. To accompany the 

drive home, music will become lively and up-beat once again and mostly consist of Asian Gold and Hits. 

SHER O SHAIRI 

The mood of this show will move from the anxieties and concerns of living in Manchester to the joys and pleasures in life. Sher OShairi 

will feature traditional Asian music and emotive poetry. This will involve discussing and reciting shairi - an expressive form of Asian 

poetry. The concept starts off with the presenter (or a listener) quoting a famous Asian saying, song or piece of poetry. Listeners then 

respond to the statement creating live poetry in a snowballing effect. This style of poetry tends to be in Urdu which will also have 

direct appreciation from Pakistani listeners. Our Kismat news bulletins continue on the hour throughout - although the Kismat local 

news is read in Asian language from 19.00. Other music featured in the show will include Asian Folk, Ghazals and Qawalis. 

LATE NIGHT LIVE 

Late night programming always lends itself to more controversial issues after the 21.00 watershed when issues regarding emotional, 

health, sex and personal matters can be aired. It has never been possible with listeners of Asian origin to discuss matters of a personal 

nature in their mother tongue and this programme sets a milestone with its open discussion in languages other than just English. This 

late night phone-in programme will include a doctor, a psychologist or a family counsellor appearing alongside our in-house agony 

aunt.Callers will be given the opportunity to discuss personal and relationship issues with our team of specialists who will be aware of 

cultural sensitivities surrounding certain taboo subjects in the Asian community. 

SAB RANG (& DEVOTIONAL MUSIC FROM 05.00) 

A music magazine show providing an overnight companion to all Asians who find themselves awake overnight. IRN news bulletins on the 

hour will keep our audience informed of developments both at home and around the world and there'll be plenty of chat. Our one 

music-led programme, Devotional Music, will feature between 05.00 & 06.00 and will take into account the Hindu, Sikh and Muslim 

communities around Manchester with themed religious music.

06.00 

to 

10.00 

10.00 

to 

13.00 

13.00 

to 

15.00 

15.00 

to 

17.00 

17.00 

to 

19.00 

19.00 

to 

22.00 

22.00 

to 

06.00 

KISMAT MANCHESTER PROGRAMME SCHEDULE - WEEKEND VARIATIONS 

SATURDAY : AUR HAI KYA 

Saturday version of Weekday Show 

SATURDAY : SWAP SHOP 

An extremely popular show enjoyed by the Asian Community 

which has proved to have the highest listening figures 

amongst the Asian community on Sunrise in London. It is this 

weekly programme where there is an opportunity to get rid of 

unused gifts, old toys, old household items and even sell cars, 

houses, shops, boats, computers or whatever. A firm favourite 

for converting unwanted goods in to cash or simply doing 

your bit for recycling. 

SATURDAY : UNIVERSE MANCHESTER 

A news review programme of the week with a difference. 

Asians want programmmes that help their community stay in 

touch with their own culture, history, religion and traditions. 

This show is a lively and informative magazine which assists all 

Asians to gain better awareness of different strands of their 

own community and additionally connects them to Asians in 

other towns in the UK and around the world. 

SATURDAY : PREM KI KAHANI 

This weekly programme is a musical drama which is almost 

like an Asian version of 'Eastenders' on radio with music and 

characters from everyday Asian life. Wickedly satirical we 

believe that someone will soon pick it up as a sequel to 'Bend 

It Like Beckham'. Now where is that telephone number for 

that Bollywood producer . . . 

SAVERA 

Weekend version of Weekday Show 

SATURDAY & SUNDAY : FARMAISH AAP KI LIYE 

A two-tier style programme with an interactive twist. Featuring more music than our daytime output Farmaish Asp Ki Liye is 

completely controlled by the listener through phone in requests, e-mails and text messaging for live dedications. As well as the music 

there's also a good deal of fun as listeners add their funny stories from around the World - appropriate for the Asian sense of humour. 

LATE NIGHT LIVE / SAB RANG / DEVOTIONAL MUSIC 

As Weekdays 

SUNDAY : SOAP BOX 

In-depth debate on subjects affecting the lives of Asians in 

Greater Manchester including local and national issues with 

studio guests such as local councillors, MEPs and listener 

phone-in participation. This show became legendary in London 

where it was first presented by Sunrise’s founder, Avtar Lit, 

who is going to be personally bringing it to Manchester. It is a 

weekly opportunity for listeners to challenge decision-makers. 

SUNDAY : YAADEIN (13.00 - 16.00) 

Yaadein plays popular classic hits from the past 3 decades 

together with stories of the era and contributions from 

listeners via phone-in, text messaging, e-mails and 

invitations to write into the programme. Listeners are 

encouraged to contact us and express where, how and why 

certain tracks hold such good memories for them which 

provides human interest stories to accompany the music of 

the day. 

SUNDAY : SHER O SHAIRI (16.00 - 19.00) 

A Sunday treat as we present 

a weekend version of our live poetry show.



Radio 

BROADENING AUDIENCE CHOICE 

EXISTING SERVICES IN MANCHESTER 

Manchester is second only to London in the number and range of commercial services available to listeners. In 

addition to the three national commercial services, listeners can choose between a total of 11 commercial stations 

serving all or parts of Greater Manchester, including: 

Two regional stations covering the whole Northwest area – Century FM and Smooth. 

One music-based Asian service, aimed at and covering all of East Lancashire including much of Greater 

Manchester. 

Four local stations aimed at the whole Manchester area. 

Four smaller, more localised stations covering parts of the area, mostly the main towns in the Greater 

Manchester metropolitan county outside the city. 

Even summary examination of existing stations' formats confirms that the existing commercial stations collectively 

provide: 

The widest selection of music styles, both mainstream and of more specialised interest; and 

Services aimed at the full range of age groups among adults over 15. 

Indeed, many services overlap with and duplicate to an extent the music output and target demographic appeal of 

other commercial stations in the market. Whilst this provides a degree of healthy competition and a range of 

choice for listeners, it underlines the lack of choice for the Asian community. 

Broadening Audience Choice 

COMMERCIAL RADIO IN MANCHESTER 

Station Area Character 

CENTURY FM Northwest Full service talk and music station with 24-hour news 

SMOOTH FM (JAZZ) Northwest Listeners of all ages who particularly like jazz, soul, blues & RnB 

ASIAN SOUND AM East Lancashire A music & information service for Asian listeners in East Lancashire 

CAPITAL GOLD AM Manchester An adult-oriented rock and quality easy listening station 

GALAXY 103 FM Manchester A rhythmic-based music-led service for 15-29 year olds 

KEY 103 FM Manchester A contemporary & chart music and information station for 15-44 year olds 

MAGIC AM Manchester A music-led over-thirties station for Greater Manchester 

IMAGINE FM Stockport A mix of adult music & information for Stockport 

THE REVOLUTION 

FM 

Oldham 

A truly local full service aimed at 25-54 year olds and playing primarily a broad mix of adult 

contemporary and soft rock hits 

SILK FM Macclesfield Community-oriented music station aimed primarily at 25-54 year olds 

TOWER FM Bolton & Bury Full service local station for adults providing information & entertainment 

Kismat from Ofcom Formats 




Radio 

ASIAN SOUND 

Format 

Asian Sound broadcasts across East Lancashire on two AM transmitters: 963 and 1377 kHz. Its coverage toward 

Manchester is from the same site as Capital Gold and Magic AM, but with considerably less power – Capital Gold 

broadcasts with 5kw, Magic 1.5kw and Asian Sound only 800w. 

It is clearly a station for Asians, but not particularly for Manchester. 

Although speech and information is described as "an important part of the service", there is no real 

commitment to that effect: speech need only be a low as 15% during daytime and there is no minimum 

prescribed at other times, although it is in fact above the minimum level. 

Music is described in very broad terms, covering most popular forms of Asian music. In fact, as seen below, 

most music output consists of bhangra. 


Mainstream listeners already have the widest range of choice 

among 10 local and regional commercial stations 

with a variety of music formats across the full age spectrum. 

Only Asian Sound provides an ethnic service aimed at Asians, 

albeit for the whole of East Lancashire rather than Greater Manchester. 

Diversity and choice would best be served in Manchester by a 

distinctive new FM service aimed specifically at Manchester's large and growing Asian population. 

ASIAN SOUND STATION FORMAT 

A MUSIC AND INFORMATION SERVICE FOR ASIAN LISTENERS IN EAST LANCASHIRE 

Speech and information is an important part of the service and will normally include whats-ons, leisure activities, 

entertainment, sport, weather, youth programmes, educational features and items of particular interest to Asian listeners. It is 

expected at least a third of the output each week would be in Urdu, Hindi or, occasionally, Punjabi. Speech should not fall 

below 15% of daytime output. Hourly peak-time news should be in English with Urdu/Hindi elements, and at least two other 

bulletins should be in Urdu/Hindi with elements of English. National news should also feature. The Bengali and Gujarati 

speaking communities should have their own news magazine programmes (at least four hours weekly). Religious programming 

should be broadcast as appropriate and the music will be a mix of film music, mixed geets and ghazals, folk, Asian oldies and 

Asian pop, bhangra and qawalis. In non-daytime specialist music programmes which complement the main mix may be 

broadcast 

Ofcom Formats, AL 183-1 




Radio 

Broadcast Output 

We are naturally well aware of Asian Sound and have followed it with interest since it began broadcasting. 

However, in order to provide a more quantifiable basis for examination if the station's programme output, we 

arranged for a recording to be made of its daytime output between 06h and 19h on January 6th 2005. Output was 

then manually transcribed into a searchable spreadsheet, with broadcast items identified and coded according to 

their type (news, music, speech, commercials, etc) and sub-type (news focus, music genre, etc). A file containing 

the output transcript and coding is submitted with this Application. The original output recording can be supplied 

on request. Our examination showed: 

One hour of religious music and readings was broadcast between 06.00 - 07.00, with content exclusively 

Naats and Quaranic recitals, therefore aimed mostly at Muslim listeners. 

The great majority of music played was Bhangra and Punjabi tracks. Excluding religious items, 61% of tracks 

were Bhangra, 17% Punjabi, 7% Remixes (Bhangra) and just 1% Ghazals. No examples of other types were 

logged during the sample day, despite the broad list in the station's format. 

Music was identified according to three era categories: recent titles since 2000, older songs from 1980-2000 

and Gold songs from 1950-1980. Over two-thirds of the music played comprised recent tracks from the last 

four years, with the remainder from the previous 20 years. No Gold songs were played. 

News was predominantly national (38% of items) and international (32%). Local news stories (17%) and 

regional items (13%) totalled 30% of news output. 

Other than on-going news about the tsunami disaster, there was no news logged that related to other Asian 

communities or countries. 

Asian Sound provides a valuable service, but does not cover the needs of a majority of Asians in Manchester. 

Kismat will provide a service that is clearly different from and complementary to that of Asian Sound. 

KISMAT DIFFERENCE 

Kismat is a service for adult Asians, wholly different from all of the existing mainstream stations that largely 

overlap with each other in terms of music output, demographic appeal or indeed both. 

Kismat is aimed at older Asian listeners over 35. 

Kismat is a speech-based service, with over half of daytime output devoted to news, information and speech 

during daytime and at least a third at other times. 

Kismat's speech output will be accompanied by a mix of music almost entirely different from that effectively 

played by Asian Sound: Ghazals, Qawalis, Asian Gold & Hits, Asian Folk and religious music. 

Kismat is designed exclusively for listeners in the Manchester area. 


Kismat will deliver real choice in the Manchester market 




Radio 

Licence Outline 

Character of Service 

KISMAT RADIO MANCHESTER - STATION FORMAT 

Station Name KISMAT RADIO MANCHESTER 

Licence Area Manchester area (as defined in Ofcom’s Measured Coverage Area map) 

Frequency 97.7 MHz FM 

Service Duration 24 hours/day all locally produced/presented 

(save for occasional externally-sourced programmes) 

Definitions 

Speech “Speech” excludes advertising, programme/promotional trails & sponsor credits, and may be calculated 

across daytime or non-daytime. 

Music Percentages Any music percentages are calculated as a percentage of the total tracks broadcast in the period 

specified. 

Peaktime(s) “Peaktime(s)” refers to Weekday Breakfast and Afternoon Drivetime output, and Weekend Late 

Breakfast. 

Daytime “Daytime” refers to 0600 to 1900 weekdays, and weekend output from 0800 to 1400. 

Locally produced/presented Production and presentation from within the licence area. All requirements for locally produced/ 

presented output must include peaktime. 

A SPEECH-BASED STATION WITH AN EMPHASIS ON LOCALLY-PRODUCED NEWS AND 

INFORMATION TARGETED AT OVER-35s IN THE ASIAN COMMUNITIES IN THE MANCHESTER 

AREA, ACCOMPANIED BY A VARIETY OF ASIAN GOLD AND OTHER POPULAR FORMS OF 

MUSIC APPEALING TO THE TARGET AUDIENCE. 

Detail 

The Service is speech-based and will account for over half of programme output during the daytime, and around a 

third at other times. 

An average of 40% of speech will be in English with the remainder encompassing Asian languages in a multi-lingual 

environment to allow interaction between all groups in the Asian and wider communities. 

Speech output will include : local, national and international news; local traffic, travel, weather and other practical 

information; extended features specifically relevant to Asian listeners; interviews, discussion and debates; interactive 

dialogue with listeners through phone-in discussion and other consultation; involvement with local organisations and 

community groups. 

Music output will be a mix of popular forms of Asian music and tracks of particular appeal to Asians over 35, primarily 

Ghazals and Qawalis, Asian Gold and Hits, Folk Music and Religious Music. 

Programme Format 



Section 105(D): Evidence Of Local Demand & Support Radio 

EVIDENCE OF DEMAND 

LONDON RESEARCH 

Sunrise Group has the most experience and success in running Asian radio services in the UK. The Group has a 

considerable volume of research, both quantitative and qualitative, relating to the interests, habits, desires, 

generational differences and listening among Asians. 

Kismat Radio is a format that Sunrise has long known would be welcomed by a large proportion of older Asians in 

the UK. This was recently confirmed when we undertook a survey of 350 Asians in London in June 2004 in order 

to test the level of support for Kismat. The Survey was submitted to Ofcom with Sunrise's application to change 

the format of 1035 AM in London and details of methodology were given at that time. In brief, we found: 

Asians in London listen mainly to Asian radio – Sunrise (41%) and Club Asia (19%); but also to mainstream 

popular stations – Capital FM (18%), Kiss (16%) and Heart (9%). 

9% of Asians listened to BBC Asian Network 

There was stronger support for a speech-based service than for music – over 70% of respondents felt there 

were already enough music-based stations available. 

Response to Kismat was strongly favourable – 81% of respondents said they would be likely to listen, 24% 

very likely. 

Kismat Radio will launch fully in London during February 2005. Reaction to the current period of test broadcasts 

has been most positive, both from listeners and advertisers. 

RAJAR 

We examined RAJAR data for Q3-2004 for the Galaxy 102 TSA that most closely approximates the coverage of 

this new licence. 

This shows Key 103 to be the leading station in Manchester with 25% reach, followed by Galaxy 102 with 17%. 

The local AM stations Capital Gold (5%) and Magic (4%) fare considerably less well. Results for the two regional 

FM stations, Century (15%) and Smooth (9%) are stronger. 

Unfortunately, RAJAR provides little data about Asian listening and does not cover Asian Sound. However, with 

digital services increasingly measuring their audiences on a national basis there are some useful indications from 

the data, particularly stations that are not broadcast terestrially: 

BBC Asian Network recorded 32,000 weekly listeners and 12.2 average hours of listening – equivalent to 

22% reach among the Asian population of 148,565 adults 15-plus. 

Similarly, Sunrise Radio had 11,000 listeners and 7.9 hours, equivalent to 7% reach among Asians 

In order to provide a clearer picture of listening among Asians in Manchester, we undertook our own quantitative 

survey. 

Evidence of Demand 

Section 105 (D) : Page 1



ORIGINAL MARKET RESEARCH 

We therefore undertook two specific research exercises: a Quantitative Survey among a sample of Asians living in 

the Manchester area and two Focus Groups to obtain more qualitative impressions. 

Quantitative Survey 

The Survey was designed to assess two main factors: the extent of listening to Asian Sound that is not available 

from RAJAR or otherwise and the likely response to the type of service proposed by Kismat. Specifically, we 

sought to determine: 

The level of regular radio listening among Asians in Manchester 

The radio stations to which Asians listen 

The extent to which irregular radio listeners listen to Asian radio services 

The level of likely listening to Kismat Radio among Manchester's Asians 

The consequence of such listening for Kismat and other existing services 

Research was undertaken by telephone by Facts International between 10-20 January 2005 among a sample of 421 

adult Asians aged 15-plus. 

The sample included a spread among those of Asian background: 57% of Pakistani origin, 21% Indian, 9% 

Bangladeshi and 13% mixed or of other Asian origin. The sample achieved was close to but did not entirely match 

the Asian population profile and data has been weighted accordingly. Details are set out with the full data tables 

that are submitted with this Application. 

Focus Groups 

To complement our quantitative Survey we also undertook two Focus Group sessions. These were designed to 

add qualitative impressions in relation to their radio listening and expectations. 

The objectives of the Focus Groups were to gather additional information and opinions from Asians in Manchester 

concerning: 

Current radio listening and satisfation 

Opinion and discussion of Asian Sound 

Views of and suggestions for Kismat Radio as a new service in Manchester. 

Focus group sessions were held in Manchester on 18 January 2005, with a total of 17 participants in two groups: 

Group 1 comprised 8 males aged between 33 to late-60's and Group 2 comprised a younger group of 7 females 

and 2 males aged between 20 to 50. 

Recruitment for the groups was undertaken by Facts International, who also arranged for the sessions to be 

hosted by an experienced independent moderator. Audio recordings were made of the proceedings and can be 

made available if requested. A report from the Focus Groups, prepared by the Moderator for Facts International, 

is submitted as an appendix with this Application. 





SUMMARY OF FINDINGS 

Quantitative Survey 

Radio Listening 

We started by ascertaining whether respondents listened regularly (ie. in the last week) to the radio or not. We 

know from RAJAR that, over the whole population, 85% on average listen to the radio weekly for an average of 24 

hours a week. Immediately, there is a significant difference between Asian listeners and the population generally, 

with only 58% saying they had listened to the radio during the past week. As noted previously, the balance of nonregular 

listeners provides a significant opportunity for a new Asian service. 

Asian Sound was unsurprisingly the station Asians had listened to during the past week – 41% of regular listeners, 

equivalent to 24% reach among the full respondent population. 

Galaxy (33% of regular listeners) and Key 103 (23%) are the leading English stations for Asians, followed by Radio 

1, Radio 4 and Radio 5. 

BBC Asian Network attracted 7% of regular listeners, equivalent to 4% of the total Asian population implying 

around 6,000 listeners. Together with more occasional listening, this broadly confirms the level of listening seen in 

Rajar for BBC Asian. 

The 42% of non-regular listeners, those that had not listened to the radio in the previous week, were asked if they 

listened to any Asian radio stations more occasionally. A further 41% of these respondents (or 13% of all 

respondents) said they had listened occasionally to Asian Sound and 15% (5% overall) to BBC Asian Network. 

Among Asian Sound listeners, 17% also listened to Galaxy, 15% to Key 103 and 11% Radio 1, with 6% also listening 

to BBC Asian Network. 

Asian Sound listeners are more faithful to their station than those listening to BBC Asian: 57% of Asian Sound 

listeners said they listened every day with a further 11% listening 5 or 6 days a week and 15% 3 or 4 days a week. 

In comparison, only 24% listened every day to BBC Asian with 21% 5/6 days a week and 42% ¾ days a week. 

Listening to other Asian stations is mostly on an occasional basis or 4 days a week or less. 


ASIAN LISTENING IN MANCHESTER - % 

% REGULAR LISTENERS % ALL RESPONDENTS 

Station All M F All M F 

Asian Sound 41% 40% 42% 24% 24% 24% 

Galaxy 102 33% 29% 37% 19% 17% 21% 

Key 103 23% 20% 25% 13% 12% 14% 

Radio 1 18% 20% 16% 10% 12% 9% 

Radio 4 7% 5% 10% 4% 3% 5% 

Radio 5 7% 9% 5% 4% 5% 3% 

BBC Asian 7% 9% 4% 4% 6% 2% 

Kismat Radio/Facts International January 2005 




Kismat Radio 

All respondents in the Survey, both regular and non-regular radio listeners, were read a summary describing 

Kismat's programme concept as follows: 

Respondents were then asked how likely they felt they would be to listen to such a radio station in Manchester. 

Overall, we were most encouraged to find that 73% of all respondents (78% among regular radio listeners) 

said they would listen to Kismat and that 29% were very likely to listen (36% very likely among regular 

listeners). 

A clear pattern emerges, with support for Kismat increasing among older age groups. This is particularly 

evident when looking at the strongest expressions of support, those who said they were very likely to listen 

to Kismat. 

Whilst we have not extrapolated likely listening to calculate our reach projections, we do take this as a strong 

endorsement of Kismat's programme proposals and of its particular appeal among listeners over 35. 


KISMAT RADIO – FORMAT PROPOSITION 

Kismat will be a new radio station for the Asian communities around Manchester. Its programmes will be principally speech-based, 

complemented by Asian music rarely heard elsewhere. 

Speech Programming 

Speech will account for over half of programme output during the daytime and around one-third at other times. 

Output will include both English and Asian languages in a multi-lingual environment to allow interaction from all groups in the Asian 

communities. In particular: 

Full local, national and international news bulletins. 

Practical information – traffic, travel, weather, etc. 

Extended news & magazine features specifically relevant to Asian listeners. 

Interviews, discussion & debate. 

Interactive dialogue with listeners through phone-in broadcasts and consultation. 

Information & features about local life, leisure & activities. 

Involvement with local organisations & community groups. 

Music Programming 

Complementary music output will include a mix of popular forms of Asian music, in particular: 

Gold & Hits 

Folk Music 

Qawalis 

Ghazals 

Religious music 

ASIAN LISTENING IN MANCHESTER - % All Respondents 

All M F 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ 

Very Likely 29% 33% 25% 21% 21% 36% 30% 50% 42% 

Quite Likely 44% 40% 48% 46% 56% 46% 47% 19% 17% 

Total Likely 73% 73% 73% 67% 77% 82% 76% 69% 58% 

Likely Regular 78% 78% 78% 64% 79% 92% 86% 75% 90% 

Likely Non-Regular 66% 65% 67% 73% 75% 64% 68% 63% 19% 





We were also pleased to note that two-thirds of non-regular listeners said they would be likely to listen to 

Kismat, with 20% very likely to listen. 

Finally, those likely to listen to Kismat were asked how frequently they felt that might be. Again, responses showed 

strong support for Kismat giving further confidence to our plans. 

37% of likely listeners said they would listen to Kismat every day, with a further 16% on 5 to 6 days a week 

and 24% 3 to 4 days a week. Overall, three quarters of those likely to listen would do so on a regular basis 

of 3 or more days a week. 

Respondents over 35 were again those most likely to listen every day to Kismat. 

FOCUS GROUPS 

The following summary is taken from the executive overview in the report of the Focus Groups prepared for 

Facts International, together with quotes also taken from the report. 

Radio Listening 

Respondents listened to a mix of Asian and English-language radio stations. Those with more fluent English 

tended to listen to non-Asian stations for their music content as well. 

“I came from Pakistan: I am not familiar with English music, and I like to listen to my own Asian music.” (female) 

Among younger listeners, the most frequently listened to English stations were Galaxy, Key and Radio 1. 

Asian Sound 

Asian Sound was the most listened to Asian station for many respondents, especially those with less-fluent English. 

They appreciated both hearing ‘their music’, and the focus on things Asian. Language-specific broadcasting slots 

were well-accepted, and possibly helped to cement bonds with those listeners. There was also some listening to 

Sunrise and, to a lesser extent, BBC Asian Network and Club Asia on Sky digital. 

Those who were less involved with Asian Sound, were more critical of its unprofessional presenting 

standards, narrow religious programming and of the imperfect reception. 

“They’re not very professional: there will be a lot of gaps; the newsreader forgets his lines. - He couldn’t 

read the paper! I go on at my mum & dad, saying ‘switch it off’.” (male, in his 30s) 

Reactions to the content of Asian Sound among the less-involved were varied: there was no clear dismissal 

of the station as ‘not for me’ from either older or younger respondents. If anything, rejection seemed to be 

linked with a high level of English, meaning that it was easy to switch to a great variety of other radio 

stations to satisfy personal inclinations. 


FREQUENCY OF LIKELY LISTENING - % Likely Listeners 

All M F 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ 

Every Day 37% 40% 33% 28% 34% 39% 38% 45% 57% 

5-6 Days/Week 16% 13% 18% 19% 11% 14% 14% 9% 43% 

3-4 Days/Week 24% 25% 23% 33% 22% 19% 16% 45% - 

1-2 Days/Week 19% 17% 20% 17% 27% 20% 21% - - 





Ideal Asian Radio Station 

The basis of an ideal Asian station for most participants was "Bollywood" music, particularly "Gold" tracks. 

“You need classic Bollywood, from the 50s and 60s – even the early 80s….or the 40s – these are the fundamentals 

of an Asian radio station.” (male) 

Spoken elements of the ideal station would include documentaries on Asian current affairs and national 

affairs; a covering of local community issues and good sports coverage of things like Asian cricket. 

“They should also discuss these problems for Asian people [i.e. in local languages]; not everybody is literate, or speaks 

good English. They should discuss the problems of older Asians… they need support, older people… and also 

cultural divisions.” (male) 

Kismat Radio 

Participants were told about Kismat Radio and presented with a written summary outlining the station's 

programme concept – the same description was used as in the quantitative telephone survey. 

The proposed format of Kismat Asian Talk Radio was well-received across all the respondents: there were 

no rejections of the concept. 

“There are some good elements there.” (male, Group 1) 

“Yes, there is a gap for this sort of thing. It should be professional.” (male, Group 1) 

There was particular interest across both groups in the ‘talk’ format of the station; especially the interviews/ 

discussion/ debate element, where it was anticipated that listeners could phone in and talk on air. Indeed, 

there were no complaints that over half the broadcasting time would be filled with ‘talk’ programmes. 

“There used to be a phone-in session on Asian Sounds: a talk show between 1 and 4. When this programme 

finished, everyone was complaining that it had gone…. Everyone was involved in it! “ (female, Group 2) 

Respondents warmed to the possibility of a local, almost personal, radio station, which would look out to, 

and embrace, the rest of the Asian world (i.e. both in the UK and abroad), rather than remaining resolutely 

focussed on a purely Manchester perspective. 

“I don’t want just Manchester news. I’m interested to know what other Asians in Britain are doing, so give me 

national issues – and more than this, deal with international issues for Asians. [others agree] (male, Group 1) 

At the same time, they were very clear that key issues for the Asian community needed a public airing, 

encompassing both ‘expert’ views and commentary, as well as ‘ordinary’ listeners being able to call in and 

ask questions, etc.. 

“[They should give] expert advice, especially if you take topics like gardening and cooking: personal finance as 

well..” (male) 

“They should have Asian politicians and role models for live phone-ins. The station should provide positive role 

models for Asian youngsters” (group 1) 

Older respondents and women welcomed the proposed traditional music like Ghazals and ‘golden oldies’. 

They did warn, however, that this musical direction, together with the potentially challenging/ serious nature 

of the ‘talk’ section, might lack appeal for younger listeners (say, those in their 20s). 





“Asian people like Asian songs, but sometimes the young people don’t want it.” (Group 2) 

“Bhangra music would help to balance it out, but they [i.e. young people] are not interested in Ghazals & Qawalis. 

Bhangra are the new songs….. It seems that they [i.e. Kismat] are aiming more for older listeners and not younger 

ones. The young ones want lively music – they don’t want to listen to their granddad’s songs! 

Overall, it appeared that the more Kismat Asian Talk Radio was debated, and the more suggestions for its 

potential format surfaced, the more respondents appeared to take ownership of it, and to welcome the 

possibility of a new radio station, which offered them greater listening choice and a potential forum for their 

interests and concerns. 

“Yes, think I’d tune in, as long as the quality and the standard is high. We have a couple of stations here that don’t 

really provide you with that – the reading, the news reports are bad, and they repeat too many ads. But if they [i.e. 

Kismat] can do what they say in a professional way, I’m up for it.” (male, group 1) 




Section 105(D): Evidence Of Demand & Support Radio 

EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT 

In addition to general support, Sunrise has actively informed members of Manchester's Asian community and 

others of its plans. Prior to undertaking face-to-face presentations and discussions, letters outlining the plans for 

Kismat Radio were sent in early January 2005 to over 400 people including: Asian Businesses; Asian Arts; 

Community & Social Organisations; Religious Bodies; and a number of semi-statutory service providers (including 

Local Councillors, MPs and MEPs). Subsequently, follow-up interviews were arranged with over 200 members of 

the Asian community in the Manchester area. 

Mr Khalid Masood, noted for his strong links with the Pakistani and Muslim communities, Shammy Batra 

(Corporate Services Director, Sunrise Group), Mr Rana Sarkar (Social Worker in Manchester and Director of 

Kismat Asian Talk Radio) and Mr Surinder Biant (ex BBC journalist and Director of Kismat Asian Talk Radio) met 

with over 200 Asians representing all walks of life as part of this project with a view to: 

Ascertaining support for an additional Asian radio service in Manchester; 

Exploring suggestions for and interest in Kismat Radio's proposals. 

Interviewees who expressed support for Kismat's proposals were also asked if they would be prepared to make 

an on-the-record statement that might be made public later. Some of those statements are set out below. An 

advantage of this approach is that, as well as English, many respondents spoke Urdu, Punjabi and Bengali (all 

languages spoken by at least one of the interview team) and found it easy to express their opinions. Interviews 

were mainly conducted in Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale and central Manchester, districts with the main 

concentration of Asians in Greater Manchester. 

Interviewees included representatives from all areas of activity: Local Authority workers; Freelance Journalists; 

Care professionals (nurses, social workers, care assistants, doctors etc); Taxi Drivers; Businessmen (Restaurants, 

Fast Food outlets, Retail Shops, Accountants, Lawyers etc); Students (Colleges associated with Manchester 

University) and Housewives. 

Almost all of the people interviewed were positive about the prospect of an additional station for Asians, 

particularly one proposing speech and music for older members of the community. In addition to their verbal 

support, many have expressed their views in writing as shown in the extracts below. 

A file containing these and other expressions of specific support for Kismat Radio is provided as an Appendix with 

this Application. 

Brief excerpts: 

"Regarding the proposed new Asian talk radio service for Manchester. I read about this proposal with great 

interest and hope you are successful in obtaining a licence." 

The Rt Hon Keith Bradley MP, Manchester Withington 

“I am writing to express support for the proposal from yourselves to establish an Asian Talk Radio station 

for Greater Manchester. This would significantly enhance the context within which OREP is working to 

improve race relations and encourage racial equality, by providing a means of showcasing ethnic minority 

achievement and by giving airtime to some of the important race relations issues which concern the Asian 

communities in Oldham and the surrounding towns within Greater Manchester…” 

John Tummon, Director, Oldham Race Equality Partnership 

“….. I have today met with your application Director, Shammy Batra, who has answered all our queries and 

explained the nature of the bid in some detail. I am impressed with the background of some of the 

individuals who will serve on the proposed Kismat board and BREC would be happy to work with this 

board in an advisory capacity.” 

Mrs Zeeidha Hussain, Director, Bolton Racial Equality Council 

Evidence of Support 




“I am writing on behalf of the GOOD Shepheard Sisters in Harpurhey, Manchester… We were very 

interested to hear about Kismat Asian Talk Radio and the many and varied opportunities it would offer to 

the people of Manchester. As well as providing a much needed service for the Asian community in general it 

would reach many who are isolated or housebound and contribute to a better quality of life. We also feel it 

could offer many benefits to the wider community, for example by raising awareness of cultural issues and 

helping to educate and foster an understanding and appreciation of differences rather than conflict…. We 

hope all will go well with your application to Ofcom and want to assure you of our support.” 

Sister Kathleen Franklin, Good Shepherd Sisters 

…… The proposed service would provide a much needed mechanism for both the exchange of information 

and a forum for open and honest debate. At present Manchester is served by only one Asian radio station 

despite having a substantial Asian community and the emphasis of the existing station differs vastly from the 

service you propose…. I wish KATR every success with their Ofcom application . . . “ 

R Turner, Team Leader Oldham Social Services 

“….. As a senior Social Worker at the Royal Oldham hospital, I feel sure that the talk radio would be an 

excellent way to inform the Asian community of all the support services available from Oldham Social 

Services. I would like to wish you every success in your bid to secure the license for Kismat Asian Talk 

Radio.” 

Heather Hall, Senior Practioner, Royal Oldham Hospital 

… As a Transfer of Care Co-ordinator working within the Oldham Primary Care Trust I am confident that 

such a radio station will be effective in raising health related issues that are pertinent for the Asian 

community. 

Ann Shaw, Transfer of Care Co-ordinator, Royal Oldham Hospital 

“… We at Oakland Care Centre are very pleased to support your bid in obtaining a licensee for Kismat 

Asian Talk Radio…. We serve a multi-ethnic client group in the Rochdale area – A dedicated Asian radio 

station would greatly benefit the community.” 

Paul Frampton, Relief Manager, Highfield Care 

“… A new radio station for the Asian community would be of great help in highlighting and raising 

awareness of health issues…The PCT would be more than happy to support a radio station of this type.” 

Gail Richards, Chief Executive, Oldham Primary Care Trust 

“On behalf of the Christie Hospital NHS Trust I am writing to offer our support in establishing a new Asian 

Talk radio service for Manchester. We believe that this specialist radio station would be an excellent means 

of communicating with the local Asian community and would welcome this additional service….” 

Joanna Wallace, Chief Executive, Christie Hospital 

“… There is no doubt in my mind that various sections of the Asian community would benefit from such a 

station. It would also break barriers between various Asian groups. . .” 

KK Vedi, Consultant Physician 

“In principle the City Council supports the development of the radio spectrum so thast it can offer a more 

broader range of services to Manchester residents…. If your application is supported by Ofcom, then I can 

assure you that your organisation will receive a warm welcome from the people of Manchester.” 

Cllr Jim Battle, Deputy Leader, Manchester City Council 

“… On behalf of the members of the association, I am writing to support the Asian Talk Radio service in 

Manchester….It will provide information on various projects, to the asian females, elders, disabled people 

who stay at home and will not know what is happening outside ….” 

Ghulam Rasul Shahzad, Chairman, Association of Pakistani Graduates International 





“On behalf of the members of RABSA, I am writing to support the above Asian Talk Radio service in 

Manchester…..The Asian Talk Radio Service will be providing services in the languages of the communities, 

which will make the communication very effective. It will also benefit those service providers who are trying 

to promote their services to the ethnic minorities in their areas.” 

Ghulam Rasul Shahzad, General Secretary, Rochdale Asian Business Support Agency (RABSA) 

“… I am sure that an Asian Talk Radio station will be well received in Manchester and that it can play a very 

helpful part in raising awareness about the many issues of concern to asian communities. I know of Sunrise 

and feel confident that the impartial and professional approach to broadcasting that Sunrise represents will 

be a great bonus for the Manchester asian community….” 

GS Ranshi, General Secretary, Sikh Association, Manchester 

“I am Chairman of the British Medical Association for Tameside & Glossop, Secretary of the Local Medical 

Committee… I fully support the above application to obtain a licence from Ofcom to broadcast Kismat 

Asian Talk radio as it will benefit all sections of the Asian community… Sunrise Radio Co has expertise in 

running very successfully and they are financially viable.” 

(Dr K Chand, West Pennine Local Medical Committee) 

… It is vitally important to build community cohesion amongst all groups in Manchester. Kismat Asian Talk 

Radio will hopefully help us build a better future. 

Dr Bharati Kar, General Secretary, The Greater Manchester Bengali Hindu Cultural association 

“…I believe such a radio station is very much needed for all ethnic Minority / Asian communities in Bolton 

and surrounding areas.” 

Tahir Khan, Chief Executive, Perpetualcare 

“…A alk radio station is one that is most needed in the area. We have station blasting out song after song in 

the area with very little discussions about ‘real’ issues that concern the Asian people in the area – 

discussions that would involve 35+ age group.” 

Mohammed Amin Janjua, Mobs Mini Market 

“… I’m sure the new radio station will be warmly welcomed by the local community and business sector, 

especially with the idea of ‘real’ talk show with ‘real’ issues discussed.” 

A Khan, Managing Director, Motorcade Car and Van Rentals 

“… This will be a major benefit for all Asian people and will give each person the chance to become 

involved in real debates over the air.” 

A Sher, Manager, Platinum Hand Car Wash 

“… This will be fantastic for both the Asian community and those interested in hearing issues related to real 

life…” 

M Shah, Gym’ll Fix It 

… We hope and pray that you are successful in your application and look forward to tuning in to Asian Talk 

Radio 

Al Faizan, Proprieter, Balti House Take Away 

… We believe that we definitely need such a station in our area to take-up concerns of the ethnic 

minorities especially asian…. 

Mrs Nasima B Mughal, Chairperson, Al-Tassuaf Trust 

… I want to assure you that we will use the commercial facility the station could offer our business in terms 

of advertisment 

Ousuf Tahir, Director, Arien Refigeration 





“… I am writing to you on behalf of all our drivers and staff in support of your planned Radio Satation. Most 

of our drivers are Asian and this addition to listening will be most welcome.” 

Mohammad Razaq, Proprietor, Streamline Taxis 

“… As Kismat Asian Talk Radio is associated with Sunrise, I hope they are successful in their application and 

wish them every support.” 

A Ahmad, Partner, Dixy Fried Chicken 

“We at Ram Krishna Vivekananda Mission in Manchester strongly support your application to broadcast 

Kismat Asian Talk Radio in Manchester. We feel such a radio station is vital to bring communities from 

various faiths together. We sincerely hope, you are successful in your application to Ofcom in launching 

Kismat Asian Talk radio.” 

P K Roy Choudhuri, Ramakrishna Vivekananda Mission 

“… As a practising GP in Rochdale I am confident that such a medium will enable us to promote better 

health amongst all age groups within Asian and the wider indigenous communities.” 

Dr S Taraphdar, East Street Surgery 

“… I think this is fantastic news for the Asian communities in our locality.” 

M Zamal, Proprietor, Mirza Enterprises 

“…. The Bangladeshi business community here in Rochdale will greatly appreciate such a radio station.” 

G Chowdhury, Proprietor, Mamony Fashions 

“… I am confident that with the reputation of your parent company Sunrise Radio, KATR will be a huge 

success.” 

KMA Musabbir M.B.E. Director of Musabbir Trust 

… Talk Radio is a popular concept in other areas of society and I am sure the Asian community would react 

with vigorous support and enthusiasm 

John Deasey, Managing Director, Deasey Associates Ltd 

… Many members of the Asian community living in Manchester and its neighbouring districts and towns will 

be benefited from this much wanted service for community empowerment, information provision and 

general entertainment by active participation of listeners not only from the Asian background but others in 

the multi-ethnic community interested in Asian Arts, Culture and Social events. The applicants, part of the 

well known and well acclaimed Sunrise Radio, have the right experience and competence to provide a 

service that the Mancunians need and have been deprived of so far. 

Dr Ajit Halder, Community Advisory panel Manchester University 

and Executive Committee member 

of Indian Association Manchester and Community Network for Manchester 

“… It would be of significant importance to Manchester Carers Forum if we had the opportunity to 

promote our company on this station to help us reach out to all Asians who reside in the city of 

Manchester.” 

Bushra Begum, Media and Communications Assistant, Manchester carers Forum 






LISTING OF SUPPORT LETTERS RECEIVED 

Name & Position Organisation 

Rt Hon Keith Bradley MP House of Commons 

John Tummon (Director) Oldham Race Equality Partnership 

Z Hussain (Director) Bolton Racial Equality Council 

Sister K Franklin Good Shepherd Sisters 

R Turner (Team Leader) Oldham Social Services 

Heather Hall (Snr Practioner) Royal Oldham Hospital 

Ann Shaw (Transfer Care Co-ordinator) Royal Oldham Hospital 

Paul Frampton (Relief Manager) Highfield Care 

Gail Richards (Chief Executive) Oldham Primary Care Trust 

Joanna Wallace (Chief Executive) Christie Hospital 

KK Vedi (Consultant Physician) The Penine Acute Hospitals Trust 

Cllr Jim Battle (Deputy Leader) Manchester City Council 

Ghulam Rasul Shahzad (Chairman) Association of Pakistani Graduates 

Ghulam Rasul Shahzad (General secretary) Rochdale Asian Business Support Agency 

GS Ranshi (General Secretary) Sikh Association Manchester 

Dr K Chand (Secretary) West Pennine Local Medical Committee 

Dr Bharati Kar (General Secretary) Greater Manchester Bengali Hindu Cultural Association 

Tahir Khan (Chief Executive) PerpetualCare 

Mohammad Amin Janjua (Proprietor) Mobs Mini Market 

A Khan (Managing Director) Motorcade Car and Van Rentals 

A Sher (Manager) Platinum Hand and Car Wash 

M Shah (Instructor) Gym’ll Fis It 

Faizan (Proprietor) Al Faizan Balti House 

Mrs Nasima B Mughal (Chairperson) Al – Tassuaf Trust 

Yousuf Tahir Ahmed (Director) Arien Refrigeration Ltd 

Mohammad Razaq (Proprietor) Streamline Taxis 

A Ahmed (Partner) Ixy Fried Chicken 

PK Roy Choudhuri (Secretary) Ramakrishna Vivekananda Mission 

Dr S Taraphdar East Street Clinic 

M Zamal (Priopertor) Mirza Enterprises 

G Chowdhury (Proprietor) Mamony Fashions 

KMA Mussabbir M.B.E. (Director) Musabbir Trust 

John Deasy (Managing Director) Deasy Associates Ltd 

A Khan (Proprietor) Kebabish Original 

J Halstead J Halstead & Son Motor Mechanics 

Yusuf Ali (Manager) Bury Road Service Station 

AW Giblin Oulderhill Post Office 

M Saeed (Proprietor) Alsaeed Convinenance Store 

Shafqat Sadiq (Owner) Select & Save 

J Hussein (Managing Director) TJ Refigeration Ltd 

Anwar Mughal (Manager) Mann Salwa 

Mohammed Saed (Manager) Al Saed Cash and Carry 

T Hon Gerald Kaufman House of Commons 

Dr Ajit K Halder (Executive Member) Indian Association 

Bushra Begum (Media & Communications Assistant Manchester Carers Forum 



Radio 

Declaration 

Kismat Radio Limited confirms, to the best of its knowledge and belief : 

(i) the applicant is not a disqualified person in relation to the 

licence by virtue of the provisions of section 143(5) of the 

Broadcasting Act 1996 (relating to political objects); 

(ii) no director or person concerned directly or indirectly in 

the management of the company or the applicant group is 

the subject of a disqualification order as defined by section 

145(1) of the Broadcasting Act 996; 

(iii) no person involved in the application has been convicted 

within the past five years of an unlicensed broadcasting 

offence and that the applicant will do all it can to ensure 

that no person so convicted will be concerned in the 

provision of the service, the making of programmes 

included on it, or the operation of a radio station if the 

applicant is granted a licence and; 

(iv) any matters which might influence Ofcom’ judgement as to 

whether the directors and substantial shareholders 

involved in the application are fit and proper persons to 

participate in a radio licence have been known to Ofcom? 

Signed……………………….…………………………….. 

Chairman 

February 8th 2005 

Date……………………………………………………….

Kismat FM - Ofcom Licensing

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?