Radio broadcasting started in India in the early 1920s. The first programme was aired in 1923 by the Radio Club of Bombay. Broadcasting services were set up in 1927, with two privately-owned transmitters at Bombay and Calcutta.

The Government operated them under the name of Indian Broadcasting Service. The name was changed to All India Radio in 1936 and was renamed Akashvani in 1957. The Vividh Bharati Service was launched in 1957 with popular film music as its main component.

All India Radio grew at a phenomenal rate and became one of the largest media organizations in the world. With a network of more than 262 radio stations, All India Radio can be accessed by the entire Indian population as it covers more than 92% of the area. All India Radio today broadcasts in 23 languages and 146 dialects.

AIR operates at present 18 FM stereo channels, called AIR FM Rainbow, targeting the urban audience in a refreshing style of presentation. Four more FM channels called, AIR FM Gold, broadcast composite news and entertainment programmes from Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai. With the FM wave sweeping the country, AIR is augmenting its Medium Wave transmission with additional FM transmitters at Regional stations.