MUMBAI: Audiences in North Bengal and Sikkim can now listen to the BBC's infotainment shows on the Siliguri-based Radio Misty 94.3 FM.

The partnership with BBC World Service ensures that listeners in the region can now tune in to the BBC's infotainment updates and chat shows tailor-made for India's FM market. Says BBC World Service business development manager Vineeta Dwivedi, "Partnership with Radio Misty 94.3 FM means we can now connect with the audience in this region. Our special infotainment programming adds an edge to a local FM station, and we are hopeful that Radio Misty's audience will welcome the addition of BBC programming to their favourite station's radio mix." The BBC programming includes infotainment updates, BBC Ek Minute - taking listeners inside the world of sports and entertainment every half-hour, from 8 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday. Every Sunday, audiences will be treated to the BBC's weekly chat show, BBC Ek Mulaqat, presented by BBC India Editor, Sanjeev Srivastava. BBC Ek Mulaqat profiles India's prominent people from the world of media, films, sports, business, arts and politics. BBC Take One will feature previews and box office reports of new Bollywood and Hollywood films releasing in the week. The unique sports magazine, BBC Fun and Games, will provide a weekly round up of the recent sporting action from around the world.

Adds Radio Misty CEO Nishant Mittal, "I am delighted that our radio is the first FM station in the region to enter into partnership with BBC. The alliance with the BBC is a major boost in our station's efforts to offer quality content and entertainment to our listeners. The BBC programmes will keep the listeners in North Bengal and Sikkim updated about sports and showbiz happenings around the globe and will enable them to enjoy unique chat shows with their favourite celebrities ?“ all from their local FM station of choice."

BBC's FM programmes can be currently heard in 11 more cities in India. In addition to the BBC's main FM partner, Radio One in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Chennai, the programmes are available on Radio Chaska (Gwalior), Radio Choklate (Bhubaneswar, Rourkela), Radio Tadka (Jaipur, Udaipur) and Radio Tomato (Kolhapur).