As FM radio tunes into the second phase of expansion, its music to the ears of the over six-dozen radio jockeys (RJs) in the country. The reason: salaries are shooting up as high as 200%, with both existing and new players looking to open several more FM stations.

Currently, against the projected 500-550 openings for radio in FM-II expansion, only 70-80 RJs are in business.Between the 21 private FM radio stations that are operational, RJs start with a salary of Rs 20-22,000 per month with an experienced jockey getting a anywhere between Rs 65,000 and Rs 80,000.

In the phase-II expansion of FM business, as much as 170-200 new FM stations are expected to open and each station will require as much as 3-4 RJs each, sources added.

For the second phase of FM radio expansion, 338 frequencies will be put on bid in as many as 91 cities. According to industry observers, though several new media and non-media companies are interested in venturing into the business.