A song and dance reality show will be launched on a English news channel. Clearly, entertainment-based shows on news channels are on the rise.
Surprised to see stand-up comedian Raju Shrivastav hosting a show (‘Aisi Ki Taisi’) on Aaj Tak? Or are you irritated at the continuous flashing of the news of Indian television’s most famous bahu Tulsi’s death? If the buzz is to be believed, a song and dance reality show will soon launch on a leading English news channel. Clearly, entertainment-based shows on news channels are on the rise.
Atika Ahmed Farooqui, who has produced several entertainment-based shows for Star News and CNN-IBN7 says, “News channels have become aggressive about grabbing eyeballs. The competition is so high that the medium is becoming increasingly experimental to try anything that has the potential to increase its viewership. Entertainment news has become so big that it cannot be ignored and the section is emerging as infotainment. It also helps the channels pull their audience to their other sections as well. The entertainment industry is generating content at a rapid pace and its intake also has increased. It has compulsorily become indispensable.”
However, Harish Doraiswamy, CEO, Zee News, denies heavily relying on entertainment. He says, “We try and strike a balance between news of various genres and we carry entertainment news only if they are news worthy.” Incidentally, Zee News telecasts ‘Manoranjan’ and ‘Bole To Bollywood’ twice everyday.
Shishir Joshi, executive editor, Aaj Tak, which has daily shows ‘Dhanno Bole To’, ‘Movie Masala’ and ‘Aisi Ki Taisi’ hosted by Raju Shrivastav, shows things in a different light. He says, “Entertainment industry has become so big that people want to know what happens in that world. It is no more just entertainment, it has become infotainment.”
Defends Joshi, “News has never taken a backseat on Aaj Tak. Just because the treatment and packaging of news has changed, it may be perceived as entertainment. When we show the coverage of DJ Aqeel - it is hard news. But glamour element is bound to creep in because of his association with the Khans and the Roshans. That doesn’t mean we are making news frivolous. ‘Aisi Ki Taisi’ may have a face from the entertainment industry but the show gives a satirical dissection of news.”
So, will the entertainment coverage increase by the day? On one hand, where Atika feels that the average slot given to entertainment shows will only rise, she doubts if it could pose a threat to hard news. Harish agrees: “We can’t forecast audience behaviour. There is no magic formula for what may and may not work.”
p_sapana@dnaindia.net
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