Dwindling Sa Re.. changes its format

For the first time in its history, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is witnessing a change in format in the preliminary stages. In a bizarre move, every week will now have four eliminations rather than two. Apparently, this change has been brought about after the quarrelling judges expressed their unhappiness over the format. The judges felt that the existing format didn’t allow them to choose the best participant amongst some exceptional singers. This sort of an arrangement is also very appropriate from the SMS point of view as well, wherein the viewers will also have a better tuning to the show and the participants. While there may be merit in the judges’ take but does it warrant such a change in format? The TRPs of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2009 haven’t been that great as compared to its usual high standards. There’s another school of thought which believes that the current lot of singers is not as good as that viewers heard last year. So, has this decision been taken keeping the dwindling TRPs in mind? Programming Head Ajay Bhalwankar disagrees. “No, the TRPs have no bearing to the change in format.” But four contestants being eliminated per week will quickly bring down the show to its best lot. Plus the show must have now reduced by a few weeks. “On the contrary, we’ll be doing more episodes than last time. Obviously, we’d like to see the best of talent compete in the earliest stage. This is beneficial for us. The best flow should be maintained,” sighs Ajay.