How to get your music on Indian commercial radio stations without a major label — who to contact, how to pitch, and what to expect.
Understanding Indian Commercial Radio
India's commercial FM radio sector is dominated by a small number of large private networks operating hundreds of stations across the country. Regulatory oversight is by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting under Phase III FM licensing.
Key commercial radio networks (2026):
RADIO MIRCHI (Times Group): Largest FM network by reach. Hindi contemporary music focus. Strong in all metro cities plus extensive Tier-2 presence. Programming is pop, Bollywood, and Hindi contemporary — indie in English is rare but not impossible on certain shows.
BIG FM (Reliance Broadcast Network / Radiocity Media): National network. Bollywood-focused programming with some Hindi youth content.
RED FM: Youth-oriented. Stronger openness to indie and alternative content than Mirchi or Big FM. Worth targeting for non-Bollywood acts.
RADIO CITY (Music Broadcast Limited): Metro-focused. Known for music content depth. City-specific programming; some shows have been more open to independent music.
FEVER FM (HT Media): Metro focus (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata). Youth-skewing content.
ALL INDIA RADIO (AIR): Government network. Includes Vividh Bharati (entertainment) and FM Gold/Rainbow channels. AIR has broadcast regulations that make adding independent music more complex, but its reach in rural India is unmatched.
The Reality of Radio Promotion in India for Indie Artists
Commercial Indian radio is primarily programmed for Bollywood and mainstream Hindi/regional pop. An English-language or alternative indie act has a genuinely difficult path to heavy rotation on Radio Mirchi or Big FM.
However, two paths exist:
Path 1: Segment Shows
Most large radio networks have a specialty or segment show — late night, weekend alternative, indie discovery — that programmes non-mainstream music. These are the most realistic target for indie artists. Examples:
- Red FM's specific city programmes
- Radio City's Beat Street or similar segment shows
- Some late-night AIR programming
Path 2: Regional Language Acts
If your music is in Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, or Marathi, you have significantly higher chances of commercial radio play on regional-language channels. Radio programming teams actively seek new non-film content in these languages.
DIY Radio Promotion Process
Step 1: Prepare your Radio Materials
Radio Edit:
- Duration: 3:30 or under (strictly). Most commercial radio stations will not consider tracks over 3:30.
- Clean version: No profanity, no explicit content.
- Strong hook in the first 15–20 seconds: Radio programmers audition tracks quickly.
- File format: MP3 (320kbps) and WAV both acceptable. WAV preferred for broadcast quality.
Artist Package for Radio:
- Artist bio (200 words maximum — radio teams are busy)
- Single artwork (3000×3000px)
- Genre, language, BPM, key
- Connection to their city or region (local angles help with specific station programming teams)
- Any press coverage (mention it briefly — one sentence)
Step 2: Identify the Right Contact at Each Station
Do not send to the general station email. Find the:
- Music Director / Head of Music Programming
- Specific show producer (for specialist/segment shows)
Research methods:
- LinkedIn: Search for the station name + "music director" or "programming"
- The station's website (often lists show hosts and sometimes producers)
- Twitter/X and Instagram: Radio presenters often list their station and role
- Ask other artists in your genre who have been played — they may know the contact
Step 3: Send a Targeted Pitch Email
Subject: [Artist Name] — New Single "[Song Title]" — [Genre] | Radio Submission
Email body (keep it brief — 3 short paragraphs):
Paragraph 1: Who you are and what the song is. "I'm [Artist Name], a [genre] artist from [city]. '[Song Title]' is my new single, released [date], and I'd love for [Station Name] to consider it for [specific show/slot if you know it]."
Paragraph 2: Why it fits their audience. "The track sits in [describe: Hindi contemporary / English indie / regional language X] — it's been playlisted on [mention if applicable] and picked up by [press coverage if applicable]."
Paragraph 3: The links. "You can stream it here: [link]. I've attached the radio edit (3:14, clean). Happy to send any additional materials or answer questions."
Step 4: Follow Up Once
If you don't hear back in 2 weeks, follow up with one brief email. Do not call the station repeatedly. Do not send again after a second non-response — the answer is no for now.
Using a Radio Plugger
A radio plugger is a specialist who has existing relationships with programming teams at commercial radio stations. For most indie artists, a plugger is the most effective route to significant radio play.
What a plugger does:
- Uses their personal relationships with music directors and show producers to get your music heard and considered
- Provides radio stations with physical or digital copies plus follow-up calls
- Provides a report: which stations listened, which passed, which have added
Plugger fees in India (2026 approximate):
- Emerging artist / regional campaign: INR 15,000–40,000 per release
- National campaign: INR 40,000–1,20,000 per release
- Major label campaigns: negotiated separately
Finding a plugger in India:
- Ask other artists who have had radio play
- Check music industry WhatsApp groups and LinkedIn for radio promotion specialists
- Contact production companies that work regularly with radio (they will know who to use)
Radio Tracking and Royalties
If your music is added to commercial radio playlists in India: 1. Your track will generate PPL India royalties for the master recording (radio use of your recording = broadcast royalty) 2. Your track will generate IPRS royalties for the composition (radio broadcast of your song = performance royalty) 3. Ensure you are registered with BOTH PPL India and IPRS to collect these royalties
Radio airplay tracker: Chartmetric (paid subscription) can track radio airplay in India. Your radio plugger should also provide airplay reports.
Radio Submission Tracker
Station | Format | Contact Name | Email | Submission Date | Follow-up Date | Result | Added to Show? ────────|────────|──────────────|───────|-────────────────|-───────────────|-───────|─────────────── Radio Mirchi (Mumbai) | | | | | | | Radio Mirchi (Delhi) | | | | | | | Big FM | | | | | | | Red FM | | | | | | | Radio City | | | | | | | Fever FM | | | | | | | AIR (specify channel) | | | | | | | Regional station | | | | | | |
Created by: Date:
Free to use · Part of the Indie Music India toolkit · Updated September 2026