MUMBAI: BIG FM 92.7 BIG FM recently underwent a major revamp across 59 stations with its tagline transitioning to - Dhun Badal Ke Toh Dekho. Taking the thought forward, the radio channel has announced a completely new show based on its new positioning titled, Dhun Badal Ke Toh Dekho with Vidya Balan presented by Muthoot Fincorp and co-powered by VWash by Glenmark.

The new program is in the line of the general makeover the FM channel is going through. As told by  BIG FM Thwink BIG Country Head Sunil Kumaran, “The idea is to reposition and redefine the brand. Also, our title Dhun Badal Ke Dekho says a lot as it means that try and change the way you look at things and things will change too. Radio has the capacity to inspire people to think. We just want to utilize it effectively.”

The show aims to give impetus to positive conversations on relevant social topics and aptly features Vidya Balan as the radio show host, who has already played an RJ in two of her career’s most successful films, Lage Raho Munnabhai, and Tumhari Sulu.  About the channel’s choice - Vidya, Sunil stated, “We were not looking just for a good or famous face. Vidya brings in immense credibility with her. Therefore, when she would speak or give advice, there would be certain sincerity about it. The show is named as Dhun Badal Ke Toh Dekho with Vidya Balan and will bring imperative social topics to the forefront, encouraging people of the nation to open-up and participate in positive conversations about social challenges and issues.”

To drive compelling discussions around topics that truly matter, the show will begin with a thought-provoking monologue by Vidya, followed by the views of experts, thought leaders and celebrities that will add to the whole experience. Amplifying innovation and creativeness in programming, each episode will take up a whole new topic ranging from mental health, new age parenting, adoption, body shaming, child abuse and more which will revolve around breaking the glass ceiling. In conclusion, Dhun Badal Ke Toh Dekho With Vidya Balan will recognize exemplary stories of real-life people who have changed the way the society thinks and behaves, to inspire the listeners. Funny comic-liners, Bollywood connect and Vox Pop with the public will be interspersed to enhance the engagement quotient of the show.

The programme will be in sync with BIG FM’s music promise ensuring that the listeners will be treated to trending music and tunes. Sunil also shares the clear philosophy that Big FM has for music, “We were probably one of the first channels to play retro songs, which was immensely liked. But we believe in testing our music. We are open to play all types of music but priority is to play favourite tracks and music genres.”

About the expansion and future plans, Sunil says, “We have a lot of new RJs and the same shifts is seen in our regional channels. For example, Bangalore has the very famous RJ Pradeepa now on air.”

The new show featuring Vidya Balan will witness heavy promotions with a robust 360-degree campaign, and innovative promotional practices and strategies across digital platforms. Slated to release in the third week of March 2019, the show will air every weekday evening from 7pm to 9pm, with a repeat telecast on Saturday and Sunday.

Meanwhile,  Dhun Badal Ke toh Dekho with Vidya Balan was launched amidst much ado and pomp. It was a surprise to watch Vidya Balan in a new avatar. The audience was ready to see Vidya walk on the stage in a beautiful saree like she usually does, but Vidya entered rapping into the event. Yes! She rapped and with a lot of confidence. This happened to be her first ever live singing and dancing performance. 

MUMBAI: Advertising has been a topic of discussion among the radio industry peeps. While radio does get advertising, the amount of money invested in this medium is comparatively less than other mediums like television and print. BIG FM CFO Asheesh Chatterjee recently gave solutions to increase advertising on radio.

Also Read: It is unfortunate on our part that we are not getting the right money for radio when it comes to advertising, says MY FM Business Head Rahul Namjoshi

Commenting on advertising on radio and what can be done to change the scenario, Chatterjee said, “Advertising has been growing. We are still around 3 to 4% of the total AdEx. If radio reach is improved, radio measurement is brought in, radio content plurality is addressed and the number of radio frequencies in top urban cities is doubled or tripled, you will see this 4% increasing to 10%. But, if you don’t choose to do so, there is no reason, why this 4% will drastically change.”

Asheesh Chatterjee had earlier called All India Radio’s decision to make available All India Radio news to private FM stations – a baby step.

“Although, we are looking at it as a positive change and we will see if we can do top and tail programming and see if there are advertisers and audiences wanting that kind of content. So, that’s a call that is yet to be taken,” Chatterjee told.

Asheesh Chatterjee also revealed about BIG FM’s recent broadcast of budget news as he said, “We did broadcast budget news during the budget day to gather some initial responses, but we would still urge the government to kind of look at easing these restrictions,” Chatterjee told about

“First and foremost, even if the news source has to be AIR, the least that can be done is the sound stationality can be BIG FM so that it doesn’t change the fabric of our content,” he suggested when it comes to easing restrictions on broadcasting AIR news.

Lastly, on being asked about any new BIG FM station launch, BIG FM CFO Asheesh Chatterjee concluded, “There are no auctions as of now so I cannot comment on the same.”

Meanwhile, Chatterjee’s pointers on increasing advertising on radio are worth taking note of!

MUMBAI: All India Radio has launched FM service in Kotputli (district – Jaipur) in Rajasthan today. The transmitter for the same was inaugurated by Minister of Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore.

Apart from the FM station, foundation for a multipurpose studio complex was also laid today, bringing technology to the rural areas of the country.

Rajyavardhan Rathore, who addressed the event, also tweeted about the launch. He tweeted, “We have launched 101.9 Megahertz FM station in Kotputli, Jaipur rural. We have also laid the foundation of a modern multipurpose mega studio costing 10 crore rupees.”

With the new age, the radio station of rural India will also be hi-tech, which PM Narendra Modiji has also understood.”

AIR’s official twitter handle also tweeted about the launch, hinting at an enhanced FM launch in a rural city.

Kotputli in #Rajasthan gets FM Service with enhanced power, @Ra_THORe inaugurates the transmitter & lays foundation of the Studio Complex today.
May God continue to bless @AkashvaniAIRpic.twitter.com/YR80vjT3sV

— ALL INDIA RADIO (@AkashvaniAIR) March 5, 2019

Besides, All India Radio had launched FM station in Nellore.

Also Read: All India Radio launches FM station in Nellore today

Meanwhile, All India Radio is expanding its footprint in rural as well as border areas under Prasar Bharati’s Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development scheme, which was approved last month by PM Narendra Modi’s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

Also Read:  FM expansion, improved coverage in border areas for All India Radio as Prasar Bharati's 'Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development' scheme gets approval

Also Read: The ease of listening FM on Smartphones will be the driving factor for expanding the FM footprint, says Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati

MUMBAI: BIG FM’s RJ Simran is well versed with the fact that how the country comes first before family for Indian soldiers and she has spoken about this in her show and urged her fans and listeners to respect Indian soldiers every day.

RJ Simran has spoken across platforms that how Indian soldiers should be respected not only for a day but every day. Being a daughter and a wife of Army men, she is very versed with the fact that how the country comes first before family for Indian Soldiers.

“Being an army man’s wife, the only thing I would say that people should calm down and not hype, that is the biggest thing we can do and also if you are related to any army person then in any way then you are requested to think and keep confidential even if you know the smallest detail about them, instead of passing on these fake WhatsApp messages and creating panic and havoc amongst people. My only suggestion and request is please stop creating panic,” advised RJ Simran to all her listeners.

She further adds, “Only thing my listeners should do is salute and respect the army people and top of that respect the families of these people.”

Being an army man’s wife, RJ Simran shares, what she is going through, “My husband is not being able to see my fourteen months old son every day, so we video chat. That’s what we face on a daily basis. Apart from that, we are not able to plan our future, the way we want to. The separation feeling is always there. As a daughter, my father used to go for patrolling and I used to ask my mother, but somewhere I feel like an army kid. I became confident and I truly feel what I am today is because of my ‘army background’ and because of the exposure, I got by traveling to different places.”

On being asked, what we as the citizens of our country should do to support our Indian Army, RJ Simran says,” I have been getting many calls from people telling that should we donate and all, “Government is doing that, you can also come forward and do it but as mentioned earlier the only thing I would request you to do is I have got many calls from the army officers that we get the respect we want from the army people but I am talking about the army wives categorically, they don’t get that kind of respect and love from the civilians.”

Lastly, RJ Simran leaves a message to all my fans, “Whatever I am today is because of my fans only, the only thing I would tell my fans is since BIG FM has changed its tagline as we are requesting people to dhun badal ke toh dekho, whatever change you want to see in the society, around you just try to bring in yourself first. So army ko dekni ki dhun badal ke toh dekho and army families ko dekhni ki dhun badal ke toh dekho. Don’t respect your soldiers only for a day; they need your respect and attention every single day.

MUMBAI: BIG FM Delhi’s RJ Jassi is a known face in the radio circuit. Known for her exceptional storytelling capabilities, Jassi, who was one of the panellists at The Radio Festival, last month, has shared five qualities, a radio jockey must have to become a good storyteller! In an exclusive interview with Radioandmusic, the lady shared her perks of advice.

Revealing the same, RJ Jassi said, “Firstly, you should listen and read a lot of stories, if you want to become a good storyteller. Secondly, you must go out, roam around, create more experiences because stories are formed from experiences and not while sitting in a studio. Become a person, who experiences life.”

“Practice your stories as you must know how you would deliver it. Don’t just take the mike and start speaking. Besides, you must do a lot of proof-reading after writing to see if the story can be small and what is the extra part in it,” she added.

Her last tip is quite noteworthy. “You must really get into the shoes of the person, whose story, you are narrating,” she concluded.

Well, BIG FM’s RJ Jassi indeed gave valuable advice for all those storytellers out there to brush up their skills.

MUMBAI: In a field where having a good voice is a must, Malishka found her voice, pun intended. Apart from being one of the most sought after radio jockeys, what makes Malishka stand out is that she has a mind of her own and she holds no bars speaking it. Be it on her shows or her social media, we have always seen and heard Malishka stand for what she believes in.

Popularly known as Mumbai ki Rani, Malishka Mendonsa is an immensely admired and followed personality. A youth icon for many, who has an instant connection with the masses and leaves a deep impact on them.

She recently won Dada Saheb Phalke Award for RJ Of The Year, confirming her following. Primarily, an RJ on Red FM 93.5, Malishka has not just conquered the radio industry but also taken a step forward in the TV industry.

An ideal example for women empowerment and has become an idol for many through her social work. She has started a new show to help the underprivileged through her Bajao for cause. Apart from that she also started a campaign of #MainBhi (MeToo) where she shared some stirring stories from her childhood and passionately empowered women to combat it with the need of awareness and feminism. Malishka, who is known to break stereotypes continues to inspire many and has also become a role model for many in no time.

The beauty of such empowered women is that live as if every day is women’s day. A big salute such spirited women who lead by example.

MUMBAI: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, popular radio station MY FM planned a lot of stuff for their female listeners. Both female and male RJs left no stone unturned to motivate the local ladies, both, from studio and in person.

To start with, all the female RJs of MY FM hosted shows, where they motivated women by telling them how proud one should be for being a women. They encouraged women for their choices be it if we want to go right while driving cars, or for shopping like crazy, getting late while getting ready for party or even bitching about someone etc.

While our female RJs were having super fun on-air speaking their heart out, the male RJ clan of MY FM took on the task to help their female listeners by doing something really applaud worthy. They went to homes and helped ladies in their daily chores. From washing clothes, cleaning utensils, taking care of kids or any other work etc, they ensured to make their female listeners were happy. The idea was to give holiday to all those ladies today and let them celebrate rather than working. Besides, the male RJs also gave spa and salon vouchers for their female listeners.

MUMBAI: International Women's Day is here, a day that celebrates every woman. Capabilities of women are doubted every now and then in our country. Millions of dreams are shattered worldwide, where women of high caliber are dragged down because our society that doubt a woman’s abilities to pursue her dream. This International Women’s Day, Magic 106.4 FM highlighted six women warriors who broke glass ceiling that still seems so rock-solid in many cases. Magic 106.4 FM’s morning and evening RJs like RJ Sapna and RJ Sud interacted with these women achievers on-air from different sectors of the society. Their stories talk about how they were pulled back, to how they came out of it as achievers.

One of the achievers, Malini Agarwal, Founder of missmalini.com, spoke about changing the - Nahi Hoga to - Hoga making it affirmative in nature of doing. She proudly shared about proving people wrong who said - Nahi Hoga to her in life.

Celebrating International Women’s Day, 2019 RED FM and Magic 106.4 FM COO Nisha Narayanan, said, “This women’s day every woman should pledge to empower their fellow female counterparts. I strongly believe this will bring about a huge change in the society. These magical stories on International women’s day narrated on 106.4 FM, sheds light on those wonderful women who stood up and went an extra mile. Our endeavor is to encourage every woman to experiment and do the things that is stereotyped by the society. We at Magic 106.4 FM promote such women who go against #NahiHoga and bring forth their real life inspiring stories to our listeners.”

Watch video here

The campaign also mentioned stories of achievers which are as follows

- Priyanshi Choubey: Founder Instacar

- Simmi Sareen: Founder at Loans4SME

- Suniti Nanda: Fintech Officer - Government of Maharashtra

- Shweta Aprameya: MIT sloan fellowship ArthUdgam Welfare Foundation

- Malini Agarwal: Founder of missmalini.com

- Viji Venkatesh, Region Head, India & South Asia at The Max Foundation

The interviews were aired on 6 and 8 March in the morning and evening show. All the guests on the show shared their struggles and their experiences.

MUMBAI: Chandigarh’s number one radio station MY FM is known for delighting its listeners in different ways. This year MY FM's RJ Meenakshi and RJ Gagan made the Rose festival Chandigarh and Spring Fest Panchkula a very special and a memorable one. In Chandigarh, MY FM organized Tri-City chopper ride for 8 lucky winners. The RJs took their listeners on a chopper ride and made them witness the stunning city from the bird's eye view. The Chopper took off from Parade ground sector 17 Chandigarh and hovered over Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden and Chandigarh city.

The lucky listeners to accompany them on the chopper ride played a week long contest in which thousands of listeners participated. However, the eight lucky winners who got the opportunity to experience this one of its kind chopper ride were delighted and shared their wonderful experience on air.

One of the ride winners, Rashmi Goyal elated after the chopper ride said," It was the first time I sat in a chopper. The experience was truly incredible and what made it more exceptional was being accompanied by MY FM's RJ. I would really like to thank MY FM for giving me this opportunity to fly in a chopper and that too with my favorite RJ which is none other than MY FM's RJ Meenakshi.”

MUMBAI: BIG FM, one of India’s largest radio networks that recently underwent a major revamp, with its tagline transitioning to Dhun Badal Ke Toh Dekho, has launched a new celebrity-based show – BIG Sunday Celeb. The engaging offering is hosted by popular RJ Khurafati Nitin, and features the who’s who of Delhi. Renowned authoritative figures in Delhi take to opening up and sharing their personal side with the audience in this one-of-its-kind show. 

RJ Khurafati Nitin who has always charmed the audience with his attitude and sense of humour, will have engaging and fun conversations with leading personalities in authority. The first episode of ‘BIG Sunday Celeb’ witnessed none other than Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi who not only talked about his life as a politician but also revealed his secret passion for radio; along with sharing other interesting details about how he handled exam stress during his childhood, his love for books and much more. The show’s line-up comprises of powerful personalities like CBSE Controller of Examinations Dr Sanyam Bhardwaj, Election Commission Delhi CEO Dr. Ranbir Singh among others.

Commenting on this new property, BIG FM Metro Programming Head Geetika Johri said, “Delhi has a lot of influential voices which have been heard from time to time on different platforms, but the conversations lacked personal connect to a certain extent. As a platform that has always believed in pushing the boundaries, we have tried to bridge the gap through this new show ‘BIG Sunday Celeb’ and provide the right kind of infotainment for Delhities.”

Commenting on this new show, RJ Khurafati Nitin said, “I am really enjoying hosting this show. This is a very different experience for me since I am getting to ask questions which people have hesitated to ask these authorities. More importantly, it is an experience like no other for our listeners who can connect with these authorities on a different level, through the show.”

‘BIG Sunday Celeb’ started-off on March 10 and it airs every Sunday from 10 am – 12 noon.

MUMBAI: To infuse fun and positivity in your evenings, MY FM, India's leading FM station, is all set to launch its show, Cheers from today evening, a well segmented show with fine music, conversations and a superb on-air friend.

The Cheers show featuring non-cliché on air friend Dev will treat the listeners with helping people deal with challenges, insecurities and complex human relations and situations thrown by life. Be it relationship conflicts, professional issues or personal problems, Dev will give a unique perspective on it all.  The double dose of entertainment will reflect in the way he speaks to the callers, shares anecdotes or the brief interactions with his secretary and secret admirer Rina.

Commenting on this MY FM Business Head Rahul Namjoshi said, “At MY FM our endeavor is to create meaningful and unique content. The exclusive prime time show, Cheers with Engineer Dev will be the voice of the millennials, he will bring alive that enigmatic nature of the city, engaging listeners which will uplift their mood, tickle and serenade them. We are sure that this show will redefine the evening prime time slot.”

Adding to that MY FM National Programming head Vinay Manek states, “The exceptional mix of edgy wit, positivity, breaking the clutter, and a whole lot of ‘Cheers’ will make listeners forget about the worries and bring a smile on their face. MY FM hopes to keep its listeners entertained with more innovative ways that add to the glorious legacy of radio. We are excited to announce that there hasn't been an evening show like this across any media. Hosted by Engineer Dev, the character has gone through multiple life stages and is high on life. An eternal romantic, he is a music lover, story teller and a poet by heart.”

Cheers show will air from 9pm onwards Monday to Friday.

MUMBAI: RED FM COO Nisha Narayanan is known for her brave strategies and opinions when it comes to radio and the much needed change, world’s third largest medium requires. The lady recently shared a video, of hers, on her Twitter handle, where she is seen speaking on how radio has a bright year 2019.

Speaking about the same, Nisha said, “This year, I see an aggressive growth (double digit) as far as radio industry is concerned specially with elections, IPL and the cricket world cup etc. The growth is largely coming from tier-2 and tier-3 towns as well as from the new markets, where we have been. So, that’s where the real growth is coming from which is outside the key markets (key metros).”

She also spoke about the changes, radio needs to go through. She mentioned, “Somewhere radio needs to change the way it sells and we cannot sell only as an FCT medium. Probably, radio plus digital is a very potent combination, which should be considered. I think it has a more direct-to-customer approach and if we can find ways and mechanism as to how we can approach the customer directly through radio in spite of lack of measurement systems etc, there is a certain step towards a better growth in the industry than compared to the last few years.”

Nisha Narayanan had a point to make as she highlighted the scope of growth this year for radio, while also emphasizing on the radio-digital combo, which might turn tables for the radio industry.

MUMBAI: Under the banner, Digital Radio Mondiale Drives Forward, the 2019 General Assembly of the DRM Consortium will take place on Tuesday 26^th and Wednesday 27^th of March, at the Palma Bellver Bay Meliá Hotel on the Spanish island of Mallorca. Click here for more information. 

The DRM General Assembly is where the past year is being reviewed in detail and the strategy and working plan for the next year is set. The DRM members and invited guests will have a chance to receive more updates than ever before from country representatives and specialists about the various activities in key DRM countries like: India, China, Indonesia, Brazil, South Africa, Russia and many more. A full session on the March 27^th will be devoted to receivers, as 2018 marked a step change in the development of DRM receiver and receiver solutions.

On 26 and 27 March 2019, there will be three special DRM broadcasts occasioned by the General Assembly:

• Encompass Digital Media will broadcast BBC content from Woofferton UK at 1200 -1300 UTC on 11780 kHz and1500 -1600 UTC on 11790 kHz. 

• Media Broadcast will conduct special transmissions from Nauen, Germany on the two days at 1000-1100 UTC on 13670 kHz. The programme will be The Mighty KBC and will include Journaline data.

• Red Telekom will first test a DRM transmission on 20 March 2019 at 14: 30 - 15: 00 on 15640 KHz aiming to broadcast then on 26 March 2019 at 14:30 -15:30 UTC on 15640 KHZ.

DRM Chairman Ruxandra Obreja speaks about the General Assembly, “It is a moment to take stock and celebrate. DRM drives forward with big successes in the automotive industry. The General Assembly will be a moment to celebrate but also to refine the strategy in making the full DRM standard (whether in the AM or FM bands) recognised and accepted for its great benefits and extra services it can provide for all the needs of a country. We are looking forward to the presentations and debates which should inform our annual plan and ultimate goal of what a powerful, all-band solution DRM is.”

MUMBAI: Radio City, India’s leading radio network completed yet another power packed season of Dilli vs Crime, a campaign which aims to create awareness amongst Delhiites about rising crimes in the city. After a great response to the first season, Season 2 took up issues of cybercrime and human trafficking, which have been plaguing the capital city for quite some time. UNICEF India provided technical support to the campaign. The association is in line with UNICEF India’s #ENDViolence campaign, which creates awareness on of violence against children.

In the two-week long campaign, Radio City’s RJs Ginnie, Divya, Yuvi, Aadi and Manav discussed  cases of cybercrime and human trafficking with experts and Delhi authorities. They made the listeners aware about the modus operandi of criminals and how to prevent falling into the trap, and steps one should take in case they feel they have fallen prey.

Radio City Chief Creative Officer Kartik Kalla said,“As per the report released by Delhi Police, the crime rate in Delhi witnessed an upsurge of 6.01 percent by end of 2018 as compared to 2017. To combat the increasing rate of crime in the city, Radio City with this initiative, Dilli Vs Crime, Season 2 is proud to be a catalyst of change to free the society from various horrendous issues like human trafficking and cybercrime. Associating with an influential body like the UNICEF India undoubtedly took our initiative a notch higher, yet again making it a successful campaign for two years.”

Radio City’s RJ Ginnie said,“While India is turning digital, there is a surge in the cases of cybercrime. Season 2 of Dilli vs Crime offered Radio City’s listeners solutions and precautions to tackle this problem. From understanding how frauds are done, how we can stay protected and the banks liability against these crimes – our experts went through the whole spectrum on-air. We also spoke about information being hacked on social media, phones, laptops, etc. and actually had hackers discussing this on-air. Simultaneously, we also dealt with revenge porn, blackmail and picture morphing to generate awareness and precaution for our listeners with real life case stories and expert opinions.”

The RJs and the experts took up the issues of three prominent types of cybercrime, including net banking frauds with elderly, revenge crimes with women, and cybercrime against children in the first week of the campaign.  They also talked about the do’s and don’ts on social media. In the second week, issues pertaining to human trafficking were brought to the fore by featuring nerve-wracking case studies, survivor stories and taking an account of increasing human trafficking cases in the city. Trafficking is a violation of children’s rights and poverty alone does not lead to the same but also factors like social marginalization, dysfunctional family background, neglect, abuse and domestic violence combined with economic strife make children particularly vulnerable to trafficking.

As a part of the digital plan, various awareness generating videos were amplified across Radio City’s social media handle. A video with popular ethical hacker, Sanket Modi and RJ Ginnie, showcasing how a phone can be hacked in just 20 seconds, garnered an overwhelming response.

Radio City has always been a forerunner in ensuring the safety of its city and citizens. Dilli vs Crime, first season won many accolades at the Golden Mikes and New York Radio Festival awards 2018. With campaigns like Dilli vs Crime, Radio City will continue to leverage the power of radio to address issues and bring about a positive change in the society.