MUMBAI: During the first half of 2014, Big FM will be venturing into three new on-ground properties that will air on radio as well. The new properties will cater to audience in Hindi speaking regions. It will include a folk music based contest, a comedy show and a radio show addressing issues on agriculture.

The Big Folk Star will be a folk singing contest, catering to the people of Bihar and Jharkhand. "This will start next year in January first week, and will be an on-ground and on-air property. The weekly show with 26 episodes will be based on the content acquired by travelling to 13 cities from the two states," said BIG Rural business head Vineet Mittal. "In this region folk music is very popular, so people can associate with this property, he added."

When asked about sponsors, Mittal said, "We are in talks on the same. Today, brands understand the growing need to be present in these markets and on ground properties are useful to monetise their product." This weekly program will be aired on Big FM stations in Bihar and Jharkhand.

Although nothing has been finalized, Mittal said that they might either integrate the property with television or promote it through television. Details of other shows will be disclosed soon.

Along with the new properties, Big is working on their annual properties - Big Disha and Mele Ka Big Star. The initiative Big Disha is expected to reach out to students in over 300 colleges through its on-ground activities, while the radio show will air in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Rajasthan. The on-ground activity will be a 16 week awareness campaign to educate students on lucrative careers, and the radio show will be hosted by radio storyteller Neelesh Misra. The campaign will be supported by its radio stations in various cities and special initiatives on the digital platform. The radio show will go on air at 10 a.m. on 8 December in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jharkhand and will consist of 16 episodes.