Worldspace Radio comes back to India through Saregama & Timbre Media Alliance!

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I had been a big fan of Worldspace Radio, when it was around. Loved constant stream of quality genre based music without nagging ad jingles which really take away the pleasure of listening to songs on radio.

However, in its first stint, Worldspace Radio never really took off. Adoption was only in pockets, especially due to the subscription based model and also relatively high initial setting up costs (hardware etc.). You can find excellent article on why Worldspace had to shut down in 2009.

Worldspace Radio

Now, Worldspace is back – According to the press release sent to us – Saregama India and Timbre Media have announced a strategic alliance under which Saregama has acquired a 10% equity stake in Timbre Media and the two parties will partner to provide a high-quality and variety of genre-based radio channels to the Indian market. With this, the Saregama India-Timbre Media alliance brings back the legacy of WORLDSPACE radio.

From the press release it is not very clear as to whether Worldspace will have all genres of music as it had earlier (Jazz, pop etc.). The PR states that it will use Saregama’s library as well as from other popular labels to provide 24-hour stations of Indian music ranging from old hindi films, hindustani classical, Carnatic classical, new hindi music, ghazals and stations in all major Indian languages.

The good aspect about this launch though is that it will be offered in nearly all digital formats unlike previously where you had to buy a separate hardware to enjoy Worldspace music stations. With this alliance in place, Worldspace music will be served in all possible digital formats including Mobile, DTH and the Internet.

This is really music to my ears (literally) – However, everything will depend on the quality of music that this alliance offers to India consumers. If the music played on Worldspace is similar to music played on blaring FM channels, it would not only be counter productive but will also erode loyal Worldspace fan base.

What do you think of this alliance? Do you think we will be lucky enough to get the same kind of quality Worldspace music that we got used to?

49 Comments
  1. dr.c.s.aseri says

    how to and from where to purchase worldd space facility.

  2. Dinesh says

    where is world space… ?

  3. V.Subramanian says

    Just an announcement. Nothing happened so far as of Oct 2012. Hi Guys dont waste time turn to internet radio in Android or Apple using tunein radio.

  4. shama says

    please send me the distributor address, i am in haridwar,utrakhand,thanx

  5. shama says

    hai.. I am already having world space connection… I am glad that its start again in india…please post me how to restart my new connection….thanx

  6. Bharathi Sankar, Chennai says

    Really waiting for golden opportunity of reopening of worlds space music. I am a lover of Indian classical music. I am becoming a depressive patient because of world space radio disconnection. please do it as early as possible and you can collect superscription to make over the loss. we will also help you to make over.

  7. aravindan says

    Kindly inform when worldspace radio relaunch [email protected]

  8. rajagopalan says

    I m having BPL worldspace radio since more then five years. Anyone can help how to recharge the same. Pls inform me on [email protected].

  9. Suhas Kulkarni says

    Really we are waiting to hear about arrival of worldspace again

  10. Shams Stallone says

    I've been waiting to hear good music, hope this is sorted out soon.

  11. GOVIND says

    as a custmer cum listner it was a setback to me when worldspace stopped its operations in india, now it is a good news to me it will resume services now. but – RANJISH HI SAHI DIL KO DUKHANE KE LIYE AA, AA EK BAR FIR SE MUJHE CHHOR KE JANE KE LIYE AA. i think these lines may not repeat.

  12. mohan sharma says

    yaa Good news , I am missing up country and i think at least two free channel are still on air

  13. ANTHONY C. MONTEIRO says

    I was lured into buying such an expensive set, because the channels were free. Despite this, there were problems receiving the signal indoors (through a tiled roof) during rainy season. But later on they introduced subscription service, which were beyond my pocket.

  14. B.R.S.RAO says

    I am a great fan of worldspaceradio, pleace inform me the subscription details

    1. Parimal says

      It is now available on Vodafone, Rs.30 for 300 mins of usage. Enjoy.

  15. BInoy Pollail says

    WHen is it going to be active again ? Please respond !!!

  16. Anonymous says

    I had invested Rs.8000/- for WS Radio set. Sab bekaar ho gaya.

  17. rajendraprasad says

    I am happy to know this when this is going to happen
    worldspace is really really good

  18. P V JAYARAJAN says

    We want the only old version/style of world space very soon.We missed member from my family

  19. R.G.SALI, BANGALORE says

    One of the best things of my life is worldspace farishta channel. Hope worldspace will relaunch at the earliest.

  20. Dr b c joshi says

    Kindly inform when worldspace radio relaunch.

  21. Kalsy Jalandhar says

    I love if this will come very soon.

  22. Aswathi Vijay says

    miracles can stil happen….. we can wait for good things…..cant v…..

  23. C. Bhaskar Rao says

    I am interested to hear SHG (Sai Global Harmony) channel in world space radio as previously (brodcasted before closure) brodcasted. I like to know when it is going to get started again (Date? or tentative date?)

    1. Yuvaraj says

      Its already coming in worldspace radio. Maestro in the Capital and SGH is restored in WS as FTA channels as of now. Yuvaraj

  24. Ashok Joshi says

    aakhir intzar ki ghadiya kab khatm hongi.

  25. Kamal Busaidi says

    One of the nicest part of the satellite radio is having it available 24×7 anywhere. If the new service only offers this via the internet, than I will be a very disappointed customer. I personally love the fact that I can be on a beach and still have radio.
    Please don’t discontinue this service – make it also be available via the BPL portable radios.

  26. Vinit Arvirai says

    when they will actually launch?

  27. Tushar says

    I m having BPL worldspace radio since more then five years. Anyone can help how to recharge the same. Pls inform me on [email protected].

  28. Vijaya Bharati says

    but when we are longing tohear farishta.

  29. Jindraper says

    Nice article but I notice that most Indian listeners seem to miss the point of talk radio. For me – Opie and Anthony or Howard Stern are reasons I would listen to satellite radio – in ADDITION to the musical content.
    Niche stations like drum and bass, IDM music, etc. really appeal to me since I discover artists even if they are independent while no other medium other than the internet can provide this benefit.
    Worldspace always had the potential to provide these benefits to me but never did capitalize on it.

  30. suresh kumar says

    i had renuwed the subscription after then the services is terminated . now i hope this is best desision for all fans. please inform me this no.9811083775

    1. katoo says

      the service is back on air

  31. Aditya B. Iyer says

    That is music to ears…. On its depart it has left me longing like many music lovers…

  32. suri gopalakrishna says

    good news . We really miss it

  33. shanmugam says

    sir are you going to tied with world space radio..??
    i having that from last 6 years..!! i am the biggest fan of it,,!!when it will starts run..??
    confrim me on 9791819100

    1. Vijay Naga says

      Hello sir,
      I m also a big fan of world space radio, so pls tell me when it is going to start again.
      thanks .

  34. Arun N Swamy says

    Yay! Something I longed to have back in my life :-)

  35. Arun N Swamy says

    Yay! Something I longed to have back in my life :-)

    1. Arun N Swamy says

      Check this one -Deepa Ns and Saraswathi Venkataraman

    2. Anuj Krishnamoorthy says

      Awesomeness,,,,,

  36. Sweta Srinivasan says

    Would the earlier subscriptions continue as I still have 3 months pending subscriptions, despite repeated contacts they didn't respond earlier….

  37. Sweta Srinivasan says

    Would the earlier subscriptions continue as I still have 3 months pending subscriptions, despite repeated contacts they didn't respond earlier….

  38. Sweta Srinivasan says

    Would the earlier subscriptions continue as I still have 3 months pending subscriptions, despite repeated contacts they didn't respond earlier….

  39. Sweta Srinivasan says

    Would the earlier subscriptions continue as I still have 3 months pending subscriptions, despite repeated contacts they didn't respond earlier….

  40. Sweta Srinivasan says

    Would the earlier subscriptions continue as I still have 3 months pending subscriptions, despite repeated contacts they didn't respond earlier….

    1. Bapuji Arcot says

      The content is back through other delivery modes like mobile and DTH. And not through the receiver we have.

  41. Mohan Sortur says

    let the world space lure us 24X7 once again.

  42. Mohan Sortur says

    let the world space lure us 24X7 once again.

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