TOI: TV actors react to TRP- Shashank

As talk of monthly TRP rating system and advertisers' dilemma does the rounds in showbiz, here's what the TV fraternity says:

Aamir Ali
I am never perturbed about TRPs. I know the importance of TRPs from different perspectives and people working on TV because advertisers get a view on which show is better TRP wise. On a personal front, I don't understand much about TRPs and prefer enjoying my shoots. At the same time, channels run because of revenue from ads, so things need to be sorted out.

Shashank Vyas
I am an artist, not a businessman. I have never cared for TRPs. There are people appointed to look into the business and commerce of the show. It's a fact if show is popular you get more ads on a particular show. If the ratings become monthly, instead of weekly, surely business plans of advertisers will change too.

Jay Soni
I believe in the TRPs. TRPs are important to gauge the success of the show. A weekly rating system enables one to make changes in a show accordingly. To an extent the popularity of a show and TRPs would decide where advertisers will advertise more. It also depends on the time slot. New strategies will have to be made after analyzing every aspect of the system.

Rashami Desai
TRPs are not in the actors' hand, it depends on the overall content. If a show is popular, of course advertisers will spend on it. There are shows which are popular but don't get great TRPs. To gauge a show's popularity on TRPs sometimes may be difficult. But advertisers like to be associated with successful shows. That's a business call.

Nikhil Sinha
A monthly rating system would allow the storyline to be worked with more conviction as it need not be changed on a weekly basis. Every idea needs time to shape up properly. The perspective and dynamics of business module will surely change as the market is changing. Probably advertisers will take more parameters into consideration to gauge the popularity of a TV soap and be able to ideate better with more conviction.

Yash Patnaik
While weekly ratings help us gauge weekly performance of our shows, monthly ratings may help understand a trend better as one gets more data to evaluate. Pressure is always good when it's constructive. If weekly TRP data available is accurate then there's no problem. Digitization is the way forward. I am sure all affected parties will find a solution which will be acceptable to all.

Hemal Thakar
Weekly system does bring in its share of pressure specially in this neck to neck competition for GRPs. Equation changes in many ways right from the monthly stories as highpoints become biggest responsibilities of production house. A production house should be in tune with the audience's pulses. Ratings and revenue sure go hand in hand.

Ila Bedi Dutta
Advertising revenue is directly proportional to the GRPs and GRPs are directly linked to TRPs. So, advertising is directly proportional to TRPs. Channels need advertisers to survive and producers to give them good TRPs week on week. So, the pressure the channel feels, gets transmitted to the makers given the advertisers' power to exit the show if the ratings aren't justifying the spend.

Rajan Shahi
There are many intricacies that one is not aware of. On a broader note, very few shows have sustained in the last couple of years. Times are tough since there is pressure to hold on to audience. I am sure the industry will come up with a mutually beneficial way which will sort out the major bottlenecks.

Aashka Goradia
Channels are spending an insane amount of money and it's a given that GECs do need their advertisers. Ratings in fact haven't changed much from the earlier days to us going to setup boxes and digitization. I may see ratings just as an actor, but getting deeper into this topic, pan India ratings that include rural viewership would give a clearer picture. One has to see that TAM is not giving us pan India ratings as they aren't (present) in so many rural areas where only DD is available. Shows can be made without ratings, but without advertisers our shows will run into jeopardy.

Shivshakti Sachdev
The TRP system has been in existence from a long time. Suggestion of making the rating process monthly, sounds like a good move. TV soaps can focus on tracks with a longer perspective. TRPsare always considered by advertisers in choosing a particular slot for promoting their products. At the same time prime time advertising is decided based on TRPs and monthly TRPs would delay the analysis. It's going to be a catch 22 situation.

Asit Modi
The industry is advertiser dependent. Advertisers are strong and so are the broadcasters. There are more than 100 broadcasters and not one advertiser can afford to lose broadcasters and vice versa. They need to come to an amicable solution. There are other concerns also owning to the proposed TRAI guidelines, which will ultimately increase the competition. To retain the audience will be a much difficult task given the changing dynamics.

Shama Sikander
I don't like the TRP system. People are more interested in making content that will get them TRPs. Most shows keep showing the same old masala with the objective of getting TRPs. There is hardly any good content on TV. Most shows have a similar pattern of drama. May be with the monthly TRP rating system would be enable showmakers to focus more on the content and creativity rather than worrying about TRPs every now and then.

I know most actors say that TRP dont matter but still theres a need for a rating system.We need something to judge which show should continue and which should not.There need to be some evaluation criterion.For obvious reasons online "hits" or "likes" can never be taken into consideration bcoz seeing the condition of fan forums and portals its obvious that the online ratings can never be accurate.They are highly biased and affected by favouritism.

So the only way to evaluate the popularity of a show is by its trps.And what I dont u/stand is that why ppl think that trp gainers are not good content wise.Even today the trp puller show,Diya aur bati hum is excellent in its content.The story about a husband fulfilling the dreams of his wife despite himself being illiterate.There the only vamp is a stubborn MIL...which indeed is the scenario of our Indian society. Even in cities what a girl fears most is how she will accommodate with her in-laws while balancing her career.So wots wrong in that? Its obvious wots the scenario will be liked.

Rather these days shows which don't hv content are going down the drain. Bcooz audience have become smarter and sensible.

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And ruling out trps means taking out the business from television industry...which is IMPOSSIBLE.

Obviously the TV industry needs a currency..but not with unfair trade practices and flawed methodology..even though the universe of TV household has increased, isnt it strange that the TAM data shows decreasing viewership - Not my words - These are the words of president of Indian Broadcasting federation??!!