RBNL's regional channels target kids with 'Big Junior Star'

This is the first time that a show targeting children is being launched on Big Magic.

Reliance Broadcast Network's regional general entertainment channels, Big Magic UP, Big Magic Bihar & Jharkhand and Spark Punjabi have announced the launch of a new reality property titled 'Big Junior Star'. Big Junior Star aims to showcase the different kinds of talents of kids in the age group of 8-15 years.

Sunil Kumaran, business head, language TV, RBNL, says that Big Magic has done shows targeting adults (Big Memsaab) and is soon launching a show catering to the youth (Big Fame Star). However, this is the first time that a show targeting children is being launched.

"We are a variety entertainment channel focusing on housewives in a big way. This is a very different kind of format where the kids will be able to showcase any talent and not just singing and dancing. This is the first time that we are catering to this demographic and also their parents," Kumaran tells afaqs!.

The auditions for the show will commence in mid-July and will be conducted in 13 towns each across Punjab, UP, and Bihar & Jharkhand. Children of 10 schools across each town will be auditioned. For all three channels, the markets covered will be from within the state where the channel is aired.

For Big Magic UP, the channel will cover Allahabad, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Farrukhabad, Bahraich, Faizabad, Hardoi, Kanpur, Agra, Varanasi, Meerut, Jaunpur and Lucknow. Big Magic Bihar and Jharkhand will cover markets like Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Bokaro Steel City, Dhanbad, Hazaribag, Motihari, Katihar, Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga and Chhapra. For Spark Punjabi, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, Bhatinda, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Moga, Muktsar, Mohali (SAS Nagar), Malerkotla, Batala and Mansa will be covered.

There are three primary categories which will be covered in the show: Performing Talent (like dance, singing), Artistic Talent (like painting) and Adhbhut Talent, which includes anything else (not included in performing talent and artistic talent) that's extraordinary and unique.

According to RBNL, since the schools are closed for the summer, conversations have just begun for on-ground auditions. "We will be covering 10 schools in each market - therefore, every channel will reach out to a total of 130 schools for Big Junior Star. Apart from this, one round of open auditions will also be conducted for young talent attending other schools to participate in the show," the broadcaster adds.

In every town, auditions will be conducted at 10 select schools coupled with a day of open auditions to reach out to a large audience base. As the town-specific auditions draw to a close, every town will crown its own Big Junior Star, who will win Rs 50,000.

Big Junior Star will be promoted extensively through print, radio, OOH, digital and social media platforms, and on-ground activations at various high footfall consumer touchpoints.