Only a few years ago, if you wanted to listen to certain Bhutanese song, you had only one choice. You visit one of the many shops which sell the audio cassettes and CDs. Now it is no longer necessary. All you need is a radio and you can tune to one of the FM radio stations which play 24 hour non stop music.

While it has benefited music lovers, shopkeepers have been complaining that it has had a negative effect on their business. Their sales have dwindled and their profits are plummeting.

The FM stations offer a wide variety of music including rigsar, zhungdra, and boedra. It has benefited the music lovers.

Shopkeepers who sell music cassettes however are not as happy. They say since the establishment of FM stations, their sales have dropped.

The effect has not altogether been negative. The FM stations have also helped advertise the songs.

Pema Wangdi, the coordinator of Kuzoo FM said, Kuzoo FM doesn’t play songs which have just hit the shelves of the shops.

Kinley Wangchuk, the executive manager of Radio Valley said FM stations have had positive as well as negative impact on the business of the audio cassette sellers. Source: BBS