It's time for TV to send an SMS!

Shows on different channels are being axed at the mention of the dreaded TRP word or the lack of it. If a show registers a drop in rating it is not given a second chance, wrap up time. Recently viewers have witnessed many such shows being prematurely yanked off and what follows are anguished cries of loyal fans it had gathered en route. Mails are dashed off to broadcasters, producers, media, et al. And to be fair to the channel why should they flog a dead horse? Out of all the GECS, Colors has the longest hit list in the past few months. Bairi Piya, Aise Karo Na Vida, Ganga and Thoda Hai Bas Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai being the latest to fall prey to the ‘ratings not happening’ demand. In fact, Thoda hai…was launched just three months back (June 7). Other shows on other channels which are under the scanner and may face the same fate are Bitto and Shorr on Sahara One. Zee’s Do Saheliyan which launched on May 10 went off air on July 9. And so was the case with Sony’s Godh Bharai which had a run of only six months. The most recent example on that channel was of Maan Rahe Tera Pitaah which launched on June 1 and did not even complete three months. Is this an indication of viewer preference? Is the viewer now tired of watching long winding and unending shows that take a toll on his mental health? Is it time that broadcasters opted for finite shows like the mini-series that are popular in the West? The argument here is Indian viewers are not inclined towards mini-series. I disagree to a point. When ‘Life’ premiered in India on May 25 2010 on Discovery, Rajiv Bakshi, VP, marketing, Discovery Communication said, “Our research shows that the Indian viewer is always looking for something fresh and it’s a promise we have made as a content-provider to the audience that we will offer them fresh programming every three months. Our new show Life took 10 years to make and it has only 10 episodes!” Sure this may not be the best example as it is not on a Hindi GEC but such experiments are worth a try as they have proved successful. Think about this…just 10 well-written, compact episodes and an equally well produced TV serial will definitely be worth a watch. Why should I waste my precious time on watching 52 or more episodes which I know can be reduced to 10! I mean, why stretch when you can keept it short. Family based dramas occupy two-thirds of TV viewers’ time on air. If the focus shifts very subtly to shows with finite episodes it may in fact get more viewers hooked on to the small screen, especially those who shy away from TV for lack of time and patience to watch never ending sagas. Experimenting is something most broadcasters and producers are found wanting. The time tested formula is the only way to go. It’s all about herd mentality. Why can’t someone break away from this clutter to give the audience a meaningful experience? Probably the lesson to be learnt from so many shows being axed is that it’s time for crisp, pithy content for the viewer on the move. How many channels cater to anybody besides women (read homemakers)? What about the professional who wishes to unwind watching a tightly woven show? I think it’s time for SMS (Short Meaningful Shows) on TV. Read more...