MUMBAI: The New York Festivals International Radio Programs & Promos Awards 2013 has announced the finalists for ‘World’s Best Radio Programs’ to honour innovative work in radio broadcasting. India has witnessed 18 shortlists for the competition, with Big FM, the FM radio brand of Reliance Broadcast Network (RBNL) leading the country with seven entries.

Big FM has been shortlisted in categories including Best Narration (Raghuvir Yadav), Community Service (Green Ganesha), Religious Programs (Vaishno Mata Ki Katha), Social Issues (Kudiyaan Di Lodi), Station ID (Accepella), Station ID (Early Morning Jingle) and Station ID (Afternoon Jingle).

Other Indian finalists include HT Media and Radio Mirchi with three shortlists each, My FM with two nods and South Asia FM Ltd and Music Broadcast Pvt Ltd with one nomination each, leading upto a total of 18 nominations from the country.

Amongst the international players, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation saw 19 entries being shortlisted, followed by RTE Ireland with 14 and TBI Media United Kingdom with eight entries moving forward. Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd India, Today’s FM Ireland and BBC UK were each honoured with seven finalists.

ESPN USA, Radio Television Hong Kong and Real and Smooth Radio United Kingdom each had six entries achieve finalist status. Wise Buddah Creative United Kingdom saw five entries moving forward as finalist.

NYF Radio Awards Grand Jury member and host NDR2 & hr3, Germany Stefan Frech said, “We had wonderful entries from all over the world. What is fascinating is that more and more radiomaniacs concentrate on very difficult and serious topics. They represent not only outstanding radio crafts but also braveness and great journalism. Obviously radio is not only games and gags.”

This year the competition has also launched several new categories to honour the exceptional work created by the radio community. The finalists for these included ‘Bob Edwards Talks with Children’s Book Author Jack Gantos’ Sirius XM Radio USA (Best Interview), ‘The Thistle & Shamrock’ Fiona Ritchie Productions Scotland (Best Interview) and Ciarán Hinds for ‘The Dreaming of Roger Casement by Patrick Mason’ RTE Radio 1 Ireland (Best Performance by an Actor). Other new categories with Finalists included Social Issues, Current Affairs and Student Drama.

The competition received submissions from 36 countries around the globe with entries from radio stations, networks and independent producers from across the globe. The 2013 grand jury selected 233 entries as finalists. All radio finalists go on to the medal round of judging to determine gold, silver and bronze award winners.

The Grand Jury enlists men and women from all over the world, representing recognizable voices and captivating programming producers in the industry. Entries are judged on production values, organization, presentation of information, creativity and use of the medium. Each jury member listens to and scores entries through the NYF online judging website.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 17 June at the Manhattan Penthouse in New York City.