.
As far as Indian television is concerned, TRP is like the Duckworth-Lewis system that is difficult for cricket fans to figure out. Most producers and directors would prefer to do without it. But sadly, no one can get away from the TRP Trap.
Such is the madness surrounding TRP, that it makes the most competitive and shrewd businessman look like an angel. Even the Czarina of Indian television failed to save her favourite show, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Kasautii Zindagii Kay, from the evil clutches of TRP.
Production houses declare war on their rivals in the name of TRP, the audience grapple under the effect. Dollops of melodrama, loads of glycerin, dragging storyline and earth shattering music, everything is offered on the platter in the name of TRP.
While producers do not stop their unrelenting search for the right formula, many-a-times, they end up borrowing heavily from -formatted shows popular abroad. But what happens when two channels simultaneously telecast two version of the same show at nearly the same prime time?
An out of the mind example can be of Zee Sports. On October 11, viewers caught the India vs Australia Test series live on Zee Sports, though Neo Cricket has the rights to broadcast the ongoing series. The unauthorised telecast was up in the air for more than four hours and was pulled off late by afternoon.
Speaking about the tease made to BCCI and Neo Sports, a senior Zee official says that, "The idea was to take the steam out of BCCI's missile, as everything is fair in love and war."
Another example is Kya Aap Paanchvi Paas Se Tez Hain? The show's format is borrowed from, Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader? It's been sometime now, that the English version is being aired while the SRK anchored show reached it's finale early last month.
So, was it a conscious decision to telecast Are you smarter.... while it's Hindi version was being aired simultaneously? "To begin with, both shows were not telecast at the same time. Are you... came in after Kya Aap had reached the finish line," says an official from the channel.
While many think it would have been a clash of interest for the channel had both shows been aired at the same time, the network however thinks differently. "Contrary to what people think, Kya Aap... enjoyed high TRPs. Hence, we though it was only apt that we telecast the English version. In fact, the TRPs of the English version is pretty encouraging," says the official.
But the case is not the same with all shows. Indian Idol and its American version, American Idol, were telecast almost at the same time. While Indian Idol captured the imagination of the country, the American counterpart created icons out of the judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.
"As far as Indian Idol and American Idol are concerned, I don't see a clash. American Idol auditions are telecast when Indian Idol is nearing its conclusion. There is no fear of clash of interest." says a spokesperson from Sony Entertainment Television.
The trend of airing two similar shows has been catching up fast in the country, and networks are absolutely unapologetic about it. While many may argue that it's just the case of jumping the bandwagon, producers and networks have valid reasons for following this trend.
"The viewership for Indian and Western shows are very different. While Indian shows enjoy huge ratings in the country, English shows have a very niche audience. You cannot possibly expect people from Kolhapur who watch Indian Idol to tune in to American Idol. Language is still a barrier. That's' why such shows are aired in the desi format," says Hussain Kuwajerwala, anchor, Indian Idol 4.
Producers of the show too share the same opinion. "These shows are popular in the West too. Indians are global citizens and know exactly what their. Western counterparts are watching. They too like to catch up on these shows. And we are catering to that particular set of audience." says an official from Endemol India, which produces Bigg Boss for Colors channel.
As far as Indian television is concerned, TRP is like the Duckworth-Lewis system that is difficult for cricket fans to figure out. Most producers and directors would prefer to do without it. But sadly, no one can get away from the TRP Trap.
Such is the madness surrounding TRP, that it makes the most competitive and shrewd businessman look like an angel. Even the Czarina of Indian television failed to save her favourite show, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Kasautii Zindagii Kay, from the evil clutches of TRP.
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Production houses declare war on their rivals in the name of TRP, the audience grapple under the effect. Dollops of melodrama, loads of glycerin, dragging storyline and earth shattering music, everything is offered on the platter in the name of TRP.
While producers do not stop their unrelenting search for the right formula, many-a-times, they end up borrowing heavily from -formatted shows popular abroad. But what happens when two channels simultaneously telecast two version of the same show at nearly the same prime time?
An out of the mind example can be of Zee Sports. On October 11, viewers caught the India vs Australia Test series live on Zee Sports, though Neo Cricket has the rights to broadcast the ongoing series. The unauthorised telecast was up in the air for more than four hours and was pulled off late by afternoon.
Speaking about the tease made to BCCI and Neo Sports, a senior Zee official says that, "The idea was to take the steam out of BCCI's missile, as everything is fair in love and war."
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Another example is Kya Aap Paanchvi Paas Se Tez Hain? The show's format is borrowed from, Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader? It's been sometime now, that the English version is being aired while the SRK anchored show reached it's finale early last month.
So, was it a conscious decision to telecast Are you smarter.... while it's Hindi version was being aired simultaneously? "To begin with, both shows were not telecast at the same time. Are you... came in after Kya Aap had reached the finish line," says an official from the channel.
While many think it would have been a clash of interest for the channel had both shows been aired at the same time, the network however thinks differently. "Contrary to what people think, Kya Aap... enjoyed high TRPs. Hence, we though it was only apt that we telecast the English version. In fact, the TRPs of the English version is pretty encouraging," says the official.
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But the case is not the same with all shows. Indian Idol and its American version, American Idol, were telecast almost at the same time. While Indian Idol captured the imagination of the country, the American counterpart created icons out of the judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.
"As far as Indian Idol and American Idol are concerned, I don't see a clash. American Idol auditions are telecast when Indian Idol is nearing its conclusion. There is no fear of clash of interest." says a spokesperson from Sony Entertainment Television.
The trend of airing two similar shows has been catching up fast in the country, and networks are absolutely unapologetic about it. While many may argue that it's just the case of jumping the bandwagon, producers and networks have valid reasons for following this trend.
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"The viewership for Indian and Western shows are very different. While Indian shows enjoy huge ratings in the country, English shows have a very niche audience. You cannot possibly expect people from Kolhapur who watch Indian Idol to tune in to American Idol. Language is still a barrier. That's' why such shows are aired in the desi format," says Hussain Kuwajerwala, anchor, Indian Idol 4.
Producers of the show too share the same opinion. "These shows are popular in the West too. Indians are global citizens and know exactly what their. Western counterparts are watching. They too like to catch up on these shows. And we are catering to that particular set of audience." says an official from Endemol India, which produces Bigg Boss for Colors channel.
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