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ShareMumbai: Tried-and-tested formula gets TRPs
We must not forget that TV industry is capital-intensive and needs money over a period of time to break even. Besides so many players in the field can only mean a race for the TRPs and eking out the extra revenue. In such a scenario, the channels will do what is required to get the TRPs as quickly as possible. Therefore, they will go for themes that will capture mass appeal. Hence, TV is full of reality shows and saas-bahu serials. The audience will lap up to anything that captures their imagination. Most of the reality shows have different formats, new to the audience; hence they become instant hit with the people. Although, we don't need so many of them as people sometimes forget that they are just a show and get too involved in them.
-Ramji Rajamani
It's a good platform for budding talent
More than running out of ideas, I think it's more to do with the realisation that reality TV sells. Sometimes it is easier for channels to take an existing one, maybe make a few amends, rather than create new ones. I think each reality show focuses on a particular target audience and is made accordingly. They are treated as entertainment shows except of course the competitive shows, where common man is involved, for example the singing competitions. The increase in reality shows on TV is not needed but the producers are doing it for increased TRP, some people have probably benefited from the competitive shows due to the contestants talents but as a viewer, it would make no difference to my life if they were completely wiped out either.
-Manjari Verma
Indian TV channels lack innovative ideas
Indian TV is inundated with the reality shows which are mostly a replica of the show of foreign origin. Indian producers take them without hesitation because they have already worked for a larger audience abroad. Either our producers and channel owners lack innovative ideas or they don't want to take risk by launching a new concept. This is because there is no guarantee that a newformat will work well with the audience or not. Even though there are various reality shows on television, I enjoy watching Dance India Dance and MTV Roadies the most because these shows are pretty entertaining. Along with this, such shows provide opportunities for those who hail from small towns and don't get a platform easily to showcase their talent.
-Leon de Souza
We've had enough of reality shows
I used to love watching reality shows, but now I am bored of them. All of them have similar format, nothing is new or exciting. Almost all of the reality shows are made from the Western concept andall those who have seen the original shows feel that the Indian versions are notcompatible enough. I don't think the Indian audience want to see any more of these reality shows, they too are never ending, every year they come out with a new series which is no different from the previous one. I think we should put a break on these reality shows.
-Nicolette Pinto
I prefer educational programmes
Nowadays every show is a copy of some foreign show.I personally don't like any of the reality shows because even ifthey are real, it doesn't portray anything interesting or informativeat the end of the show. There are various kinds of stunts performed by the participants, for instance they cry on TV to gain sympathy and votes; even fights are common which are not acceptable in our society. It is better to watch Discovery or National Geographic channel because one can grasp knowledge about the real world. I strongly feel Indian reality shows lack original ideas. That is why they have chosen an easy path that is to copy the programme which is running abroad rather than brainstorming and research for a new concept.
-Vikas Aggarwal
Celebspeak
When reality shows started in India, the concept was new to the audience. Everyone was enthusiastic about watching them. But now every channel has a reality show. A new concept is required as people are now fed up with the same dancing and singing shows.Some of the upcoming reality shows have bold concepts and I am not sure how well will it work with the Indian audience. I personally don't like watching reality shows. There is nothing new in them anymore. It was fun and exciting in the beginning but now it's become boring and repetitive.
-Prachi Desai. Winner, Jhalak Dikhlaja '08
Youngsters areaware ofthe reality shows shown inthe West but the older generation are not. Therefore it is entertaining for them.Reality shows are different from the regular saas-bahu fiasco. Also most of the reality shows have a celebrity participant or judge. Thus everyone enjoys watching them perform. Indian producers can be creative and come up with different concepts but very few want to take the risk. It's a safer option to work on a concept that has been successful in the West. I don't find anything wrong with them unless they don't hurt anyone's sentiments.
-Sanjeeda Shaikh. Winner, Nach Baliye '08
There are number of channelscompeting with each other for TRPs. Therefore, instead of creating something new they try to use the same format which has done well in other countries. The craze of reality shows in India started with Kaun Banega Crorepati and over the past few years we have seen many reality shows on different channels capturing talent. Today people want to see real people who have real talent rather than watch celebrities. For instance, between Dance India Dance and Jhalak Dikhlaja, people prefer watching a common man rather than a celebrity.
-Shaan. Host, Sa re ga ma
Today there are many dancing shows on TV which are doing well. Reality programmes are popular because they connect to the people on the show. On small screen, TRPs determine the kind of programmes that goes on air. It's easy to use an old tested formula, thus Indian producers adopt them, hoping they will be a hit on Indian TV too. Whereas, to start a new programme producers will have to do a thorough research which is timeconsuming. Other countries are able to start a new venture because they have sumptuous budget.
-Tapur Chatterjee. Participant, Jhalak Dikhlaja '08
