Pop-folk singer Hao Yun reveals in one episode that he barely performed publicly during the first half of this year, which has made him appreciate every chance he is given to sing onstage.

With his passionate rendering of his 2013 hit song Alive, a thought-provoking track which explores the meaning of life and significance of pursuing a dream, Hao brought the house down.

The show has also expanded the Billboard's major release platform from radio to a bigger network that also contains TV channels and streaming sites, adds Xia. The Billboard was organized by China National Radio before being handed over earlier this year to China Media Group, the country's largest state broadcaster which merged China Central Television, China National Radio and China Radio International.

"In the digital era, short-video platforms are prevailing," says Xia. "Many young people have more options to select favorite songs, so the Billboard has to recognize this and has enabled the winners of five of the 15 awards to be decided by votes cast online. We hope the change will draw more youngsters and generate greater interest in domestic pop music."

Zhang Zhuoran, another executive director of the show, says that the internet era has accelerated the emergence of new talent. She says: "It used to take a long time for a singer to get established. The internet, however, makes it possible for singers to just release a solo song online and achieve overnight fame."

xufan@chinadaily.com.cn