2006, the year to see 'Television'
(Wednesday, Feb 01, 2006 - 06:00 am)
While Bollywood had a blast this year, the television industry skyrocketed with equal vigor. With a dash of dynamism and a profusion of channels and daily soaps, 2006 has already proven to be a more than a satisfactory year for the small screen.
Taking the major share of the viewership pie of course, were the entertainment channels and then the news channels and finally the business channels. While established news players like Aaj Tak, Star News, Zee News and the likes of Times Now, CNN-IBN and NDTV Profit are doing well for themselves, to keep the viewer glued.
The Sahara Group launching its Filmy channel will see a boost in the movie segment. While the media did act as the whistle-blower in several scams, it would only be fair to say that soft news received a major fillip this year. Going local and being sensational was the mantra.
The biggest player this year will be Zee TV. Zee did manage to keep the TRPs ticking with its primetime daily soaps hitting the bull's eye. Especially woman-oriented serials like Saath Phere, Kasamh Se, which had female viewers glued to the television . Another big success for Zee came by way of its Sa Re Ga Ma pa which must have the distinction of bringing some of the latest hunt into the viewer's living rooms. While Star TV's popular favorite's Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi dragged on, the channel notched up two other hits in Millee and Kkayanjali, which are also extended till Monday to Friday replacing KBC 2 on Friday slot.
Originality is still a stranger to the Indian TV industry, though, but can't forget the creativity of Zee TV with Saath Phere. Most of the greatest hits in recent years, whether it be Kaun Banega Crorepati or Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, have all been foreign takeoffs. Hopefully, 2006 will some more original stuff.
Shiv Shakti
