MUMBAI: This year's finalists for the world's best radio programs were announced on 14 May 2014 by New York Festivals' International Radio Program Awards. RTÉ Ireland is in the lead, followed by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and TBI Media United Kingdom.

Over 260 entries from 32 countries were selected by the grand jury panel. RTÉ Networks Ireland is the frontrunner for this year's competition with 23 Finalists and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation saw 21 entries followed by TBI Media United Kingdom with 17 Finalists. The finalists will proceed to the medal round to determine gold, silver, and bronze trophies.

Meanwhile, from India there are 14 finalists- RBNL's BIG FM have been selected for six categories, HT's Fever FM for four categories, ENIL's Radio Mirchi for two categories and one each for Radio Mantra and Radio Mango. NYF's International Radio Program competition honours innovative work in radio broadcasting, receiving entries from radio stations, networks, and independent producers from around the globe.

The newly launched Sound Art category finalists include- 'CANTUS APIUM (Song of the Bees) - 7 variations after Vergil for voice and 15 bee-colonies' Götz Naleppa Audio Productions Germany; 'Call of the Dark' RTE Radio 1 Ireland; 'Kya Woh Sach Thha - India's first ever radio horror show inspired by true incidents' Fever 104 FM India; 'Midsummer Night's Dream in Tunnel Dubovica on Island of Hvar' Radio Belgrade Yugoslavia; and 'Rob da Bank's Headphone Special' We Are Grape Ltd. United Kingdom.

Additional new categories include Travel and Tourism, Best Nonfiction Series and Best Student Journalist. The entries for the Travel and Tourism are- 'New Orleans: The City That Care Forgot' Accessible Media Inc. Canada; 'Inside Outside Battery' Battery Radio Canada; 'The Unbearable 100 Millions for Hong Kong' Radio Television Hong Kong; and 'This Is America' Steve Ember, VOA USA. Finalists for the Best Nonfiction Series category include- 'Rethinking Depression, Ideas' along with 'Project Money, The Current,' both created by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and 'Teenage Diaries Revisited' Radio Diaries USA. Best Student Journalist Finalist was 'Boston Strong: The Medical Student Perspective' Radio Rounds USA.

"New categories contributed to the growth of the competition, but even more importantly, the increase in entries shows that what we're doing resonates with the international radio community as evidenced by the 37 per cent increase in entries from 2012 to 2014," said NYF International Radio Program Awards executive director Rose Anderson.

She further added, "The fact that NYF's grand jury members come from every continent means we have a 360 degree perspective and the excellence they have achieved for their own work means that every entry is listened to with respect."

The 2014 competition will honour the World's Best Radio Programs on 23 June at the annual awards gala taking place at Manhattan Penthouse in New York City.