Radio One has become the first private radio network in India to simulcast some of its FM stations on the internet.

The stations Radio One New Delhi and Mumbai are now offering an online stream at www.radioone.in.

Radio One, a joint venture between Next Mediaworks and BBC Worldwide, made a deal with record labels that release international music in India, like Universal, Sony and Virgin.

The agreement is thought to be possible because Radio One’s Mumbai and Delhi stations run international music formats, rather than Bollywood and other regional film music.

Tough licencing restrictions from labels that produce popular Indian-made film soundtracks are thought to prevent other stations rebroadcasting their FM stations online.

At present, Radio One’s streams are only available domestically.

Vineet Singh Hukmani, MD&CEO Radio One said: ‘This is a milestone change and we thank music companies for recognising that web-casting of existing terrestrial radio feeds (radio re-broadcast) presents a new possible opportunity with Phase III of FM Radio around the corner combined with 4G & the fast improving broadband space.”

Shyju Varkey, National Marketing head Radio one said: “A cumulative reach of 9 million people in Delhi and Mumbai alone through FM radio gave us the confidence to go online and expand this base of higher net-worth educated audiences pan India.”

To launch the webcast, Radio One has created a promotional campaign on air and social media called #LetsGoOnline.