BIG FM plans voice contest

As part of its initiative to put new ideas for a better link with its listeners, the Bhubaneswar station of the BIG 92.7 FM has chalked out a plan to haunt new talents in the field of music.

It has finalised a plan to conduct 'Big Voice of Orissa' contest in twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar in April this year.

A formal announcement is expected next week.

It will be a two way selection with the participants submitting compact disc (CD) or cassette recording of their songs.

They will be informed about their selection directly.

Besides, for the participants not wishing to follow this process, forms will be available in different locations.

They will have to fill up the forms detailing their experience in singing and send a SMS to Big 92.7 FM. There will also be a reverse message from the Big 92.7 FM. Five persons will be selected through competition in various rounds and they will be required to perform at different locations in Bhubaneswar.

The people will send SMS and the finalists will be picked up on the basis of the SMS sent by the people. While one finalist will be from the male category, the other will be a girl.

"It will bring a rare opportunity to the music loving youth to make a carrier in music. As Saregama has agreed to make albums for them, that will be a great boost to the music lovers", Binod Banerji, Station Head, BIG 92.7 FM said.

Outlining the achievements of the FM station in Bhubaneswar, he said, BIG 92.7 FM has been very well accepted in Orissa with the station getting number 1 position in the target group (TG).

"We get 3000-4000 SMS per day, which shows our acceptance level", he said adding that for programmes like 'Aie Ratire' the station gets about 1600-1800 SMS.

Banerji said the focus is on the youth in the 16-24 age group in the SEC (A, B) cities.

"As the fight is in the streets, a FM radio company will have to make its presence felt. As a measure in that direction, the BIG 92.7 FM is making use of the outdoor broadcast (OB). The radio jockeys (RJs) are going out to the field to get the vibe of the city", he added.

While fresh information and content are provided to the listeners in the morning in Chao Churcha with RJ Gungun and Samit, Manar Mita Somesh (MMS) caters to the interest of the smart ladies.

"We get into the field and take the vibe of the city, thereby try to link with the people," he added.

On response of the advertisement market, he said, FM radio as a medium for advertisers was lacking credibility earlier with the market share of this medium being only 2 per cent.

However, there has been some change in last one year with the share increasing to 5 percent at present.Despite that Bhubaneswar station of BIG 92.7 FM has been viable with the monthly revenue being estimated at Rs 10 to 12 lakhs. He expressed the hope that with the progress of time the credibility will improve further.

"Our operation is not only profitable but its growth is the best after Kolkata", he claimed.