KBC 3(with srk) : Concept and Articles - Page 15

SRK set to sizzle the hot seat

2007-01-06 07:40 Source : www.ibnlive.com

New Delhi: Unfazed by comparisons to Amitabh Bachchan, ShahRukh Khan is busy rehearsing for Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) and basking in the buzz created by the promos.

The stage is set for the third innings of STAR Plus's KBC, which is to go on air January 22.

Shah Rukh is all set to win the audiences over if the warm ad campaign is any indication.

"Shah Rukh is a general knowledge freak and I am a general knowledge fan too. I am eagerly waiting for the show to go on air. Comparisons are unfounded because Shah Rukh has his own style and he will do it in his own way," said filmmaker Nikhil Advani.

Shah Rukh's determination to win had him put up mock sets of the KBC show at his home, Mannat, so that he could practise.

He reportedly rehearses five hours daily with friends like Karan Johar, Farah Khan and Ganesh Hegde.

According to a study by Hansa Research for Optimum Media Solutions, Amitabh is more popular as an anchor among all age groups and genders.

The research showed that 71 per cent of those who participated in the poll are willing to give the programme an initial try while eight per cent will not watch it at all and 21 per cent will watch all episodes.

"Shah Rukh is a phenomenal guy and he is not going to play any role on this show. He is going to be what he is, a very down to earth, humble guy. He will be extremely charming and people are going to have more lighter moments on the show because he is determined to make them happy," said creative director of O&M, Sagar Mahabaleshwarkar, which conceptualised the promos.

The research explored host preference, interest in programme, changes expected by viewers, reaction time, competitive slots and implication for advertisers.

As expected Shah Rukh has more takers among women and younger audiences.

"I am getting more calls from female journalists. This shows his popularity among women. I am not a die-hard Shah Rukh fan, but I have seen him rehearsing for the show and have changed my opinion about him. He is vibrant, hardworking and extremely energetic. I am confident that he will be able pull it off very well," added Mahabaleshwarkar.

The format of the game show will stay with minor changes - the set has been changed and the background will be red.

"Bachchan is like a sky for us that's why the colour was blue but main is desh ka lal hoon (I am this country's darling) so the colour is red," explains Shah Rukh.

Even though KBC will coincide with the World Cup, the response from sponsors was overwhelming. According to media reports, KBC has raked in over Rs 1 billion for its third innings.

"We at STAR do not comment on revenue and we have not bothered to confirm or deny the reports. But I will say that we have done exceedingly well and have earned handsome revenue from the show,€ said President of sales and distribution, STAR India, Paritosh Joshi.

"But the fact is that we didn't negotiate very hard because the client's interest was very, very high," he added. Joshi also said that cricket poses no threat to KBC.

"Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainty and the advertisers don't get the value for money that is promised. But KBC is a unique show, which has a universal appeal because we are a knowledge-conscious society. It is a truly family-viewing show and the risk is factor is not so high," he added.

Last year's sponsors Airtel, Hyundai and Cadbury are joined by new players Pantaloon Retail (Big Bazaar), Godrej Sara Lee, UTI Mutual Fund, Videocon, Godrej Sara Lee, Jyothi Lab, Big Bazaar and the UB group. Replacing Nokia is Motorola this time.

However, two decisions are yet to be made - the bank issuing the cheques and a replacement for the famous "Lenovo" computer.

http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/newsarticle/stocksnews.php ?cid=1&autono=30484&source=ibnlive.com

Big B or SRK: kaun banega No 1?

Asha Chowdary
[ 3 Jan, 2007 2058hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK >

Amitabh Bachchan has made way for Shah Rukh Khan on KBC. We see how they compare as quiz hosts.

King Khan will replace the Big B in the KBC hot seat when a new edition of the quiz show rolls out soon. So who will top the popularity charts?

Though there are a large number of people who believe Shah Rukh Khan can never fit into Amitabh Bachchan's shoes, there are just as many who feel that his arrival will be a boost to a show whose TRP ratings have been flagging.

Second best

Says quiz master Giri Balasubramaniam, "If I was the producer of the show, Shah Rukh Khan would be my second best choice. KBC is mass-based, not necessarily reliant on intellect.

It's more of a family programme and an intelligent game show than a quiz. It thrives purely on celebrity value and therefore requires a person who has a high mass appeal."

Giri feels that Shah Rukh Khan will draw a new and younger audience. "He will add a lot of energy and a dash of fun to the show," he says.

"Though Amitabh Bachchan has a unique sense of humour, Shah Rukh can match it. Amitabh played the comforting big brother role in KBC well and it went with his personality.

But SRK will be a much more flirtatious and naughty anchor which Bachchan was not. He might add an element of mischief to the show which Bachchan could not."

Father or grandfather?

Brand specialists feel that since both are megastars, it's going to be tough to compare the two. Says Harish Bijoor, brand consultant, "Replacing Bachchan with SRK is a classic way of contemporarising the show and making it more relevant to a target audience.

Both are super brands, but all brands have a way of getting out of the circles of relevance. A circle of relevance is dependent on what kind of persona brand gels with a persona audience which, in this case, is a new age audience.

AB may be portrayed as the angry young man but in actuality he is an old man, who is over 64. The image is that of a 'grandfather brand' whereas SRK is a 'father brand. If it had been Saif Ali Khan, he could have been the 'son' brand."

Harish feels that SRK will definitely bring contemporary charm to the programme. "The female audience will emote better with a younger man.

ABK had a bit of a stern image and the show had the boss on top, looking down on everyone else. With SRK, it will be more level. KBC will have a new zing about it and it will become younger too."

Who's haute?

Amitabh Bachchan tried to sport a younger look in the second season of KBC but it just didn't work. Says style expert Lokessh Ahuja,"Bachchan wore leather jackets and trendier clothes in KBC 2 but they were much too young for him.

But style-wise, if SRK tries to be too filmi, it won't work either. Bachchan wore impeccable suits but on SRK, this style might look like he's trying too hard.

He could wear a T-shirt with a jacket instead that would look much more youthful than a tie and a tuxedo. Style wise, Shah Rukh Khan will be much more contemporary than Bachchan could ever be."

Fanspeak

Says Sarah S, student, "I'm really excited about SRK coming onto the show. He's just so cool." Twentyyear-old Prashant Pagaria, however, feels no-one can take Amitabh's place. "Everyone from my grandfather to my little sister loves him.

How can SRK hope to compete?" Adds MBA student Tanu Jalan, "Shah Rukh Khan can never get the kind of respect Bachchan inspires. I'm not looking forward to this change."

ashachowdary@indiatimes.com

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/City_Supplements/Ban galore_Times/Big_B_or_SRK_kaun_banega_No_1/articleshow/msid- 1040848,curpg-1.cms

KBC 3 rakes in Rs 130 cr, still counting

BUSINESS STANDARD
Aminah Sheikh
MUMBAI

Kaun Banega Crorepati in its third season has raked in Rs 100-130 crore, with a little more than two weeks still to go before it goes on air this month.

The latest to join the sponsors' bandwagon for Shah Rukh Khan's KBC 3 are Pantaloon Retail (Big Bazaar) and Godrej Sara Lee, confirmed Paritosh Joshi, president– ad sales and distribution, Star India.

The repeat sponsors from last year's show (KBC 2) are Airtel, Hyundai and Cadbury. After the recent bidding battle, Motorola has replaced Nokia, which was on board with KBC 2. The other new sponsors this year are UTI Mutual Fund, Videocon, Godrej Sara Lee, Jyothi Labs, Pantaloon Retail (Big Bazaar) and the UB group.

Star has sold ad slots for the show which goes on air from January 22 at an estimated Rs 10-13 crore per sponsor, said sources.

"The reason sponsors have signed on with us because of the varied audience reach provided by the show. While cricket is high on uncertainty, KBC 3 does not fail to deliver," said Joshi.

Since the show has no title or presenting sponsors, the ten main sponsors will share the same mileage, roughly each sponsor will have 1 to 1.5 minutes visibility for each episode.

"While the sponsors names will appear on on - air tags, all ten sponsors will not appear on each show. Also, the ten main sponsors will get sufficient outdoor mileage," he added.

With less then 20 days from the show, Star is yet to decide on the bank presenting the cheques. Sources said, the contenders are HSBC, ICICI Bank, Barclays Bank and Kotak (which was on board last year).

In addition, the show's 'computerji' is yet to be decided. During KBC 2, Lenovo was the integrated computer brand on the show. This year with Shah Rukh Khan being the host and also the celebrity endorser for Compaq, its a tough call for Star.

Copyright 2007, Business Standard Limited

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Vijay TV brings 'KBC' in Tamil

Indiantelevision.com Team

(11 January 2007 4:20 pm)

MUMBAI: Now you can catch King Khan mouthing the words 'Vanakkam; neengal parthukondu irupadhu Kaun Banega Crorepathi'. Star Plus' Kaun Banega Crorepati will be dubbed in Tamil and telecast on Vijay TV for its Tamil viewers starting 23rd January.

Auditions for the dubbing artistes on the show are on in full swing. The search for SRK's Tamil dubbing artiste is also to be finalised, a company release sates.

Says Vijay TV general manager Ravinath Menon, "The question promos are on high rotation on Vijay TV giving Tamil viewers equal opportunity to be part of the show. We hope, in this season, we will see more Tamil viewers get into the hot seat with Shah Rukh and play for the highest prize money. We are also planning different interactive plug-ins around the Tamil version to make it more interesting to Vijay viewers."

It's now KBC-SRK with 10 new sponsors

THE ECONOMIC TIMES
Harsimran Singh
NEW DELHI

The new KBC-SRK (yes, that's what it will be called) may not only make you win a Rs 2-crore cheque, you could also be roped in to endorse big brands. The new KBC-SRK has roped in 10 sponsors for about Rs 130 crore.

While Bharat Matrimony will sponsor 50:50 Lifeline, Phone-A-Friend will be sponsored by Bharti Airtel. The prize cheque will be by Union Bank from earlier Kotak and Eureka Forbes will sponsor Har Seat Hot Seat selection. From the viewer's perspective, what's interesting is that a few brands are even thinking of choosing the KBC-SRK winner as their brand ambassador.

Computerji's screen is also likely to change to HP Compaq and other SRK's endorsed brands like Videocon and Hyundai have also pitched in. Jyothi Labs' Ujala Supreme will sponsor Winning Moments and Metlife Insurance will put its brand on the Timer Clock Logo, according to Star TV.

Overall, the biggest TV game show in India has roped in about 10 sponsors for a cool Rs 130 crore. Other major sponsors are UTI Mutual Fund, Motorola, Pantaloon's Big Bazaar, Godrej Sara Lee, Cadbury and Vijay Mallya's United Breweries.

There are concerns over World Cup Cricket 2007 (starting from March 11) affecting KBC ad-spend. But Star TV is not bothered.

Says Star India president, ad sales Paritosh Joshi, "Viewership of cricket matches varies with the form of the Indian cricket team, weather etc. KBC-SRK will be unaffected by that." KBC contestants this time, may win a lot of other things apart from the prize. About 500 contestants will be flown in from across the country to luxury hotels around Andheri.

"KBC-SRK will be aired from January 22 till April 22 over 52 episodes, two-three of which will be special episodes," says Synergy Communications' Sidhartha Basu. The shoot will start next Monday at Studio 7 in Mumbai Film City.

Copyright 2007, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Source: The Economic Times

http://www.agencyfaqs.com/news/stories/2007/01/11/16839.html

KBC-3 still plugging ad slots

BUSINESS STANDARD
Ashish Sinha
NEW DELHI

Only 30-minute advertising spots remain to be sold on Star India's Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC-3), which will be anchored by actor Shah Rukh Khan.

According to Star TV officials, all spots have been booked by the advertisers with only 30-40 seconds spots per episode left to be sold.

"We have got 14 fixed sponsors and six brands, which will be integrated in KBC itself. By the month-end, all spots will be sold for the 52-episode run, which will begin on 22 January and end on 22 April," Paritosh Joshi, president, advertising sales & distribution, Star TV said.

According to industry estimates, KBC-3 has got advertising worth Rs 110-130 crore for the first season.

"While KBC is attracting advertisers, several big spenders have not come forward to become sponsors. Big spenders such as Hindustan Lever, Nestle, Maruti, General Motors and others have already committed over Rs 300 crore to the World Cup cricket tournament starting March 11, in the West Indies," an industry source said.

Senior media planners said several top media agencies such as Maxus, Madison and ZenithOptimedia have bargained a lot for KBC spots.

"While Star asked for sponsorship money in excess of Rs 10 crore, we have managed to get it down by 20-30 per cent while getting maximum benefits," a senior media planner said.

The ICC World Cup was expected to attract over Rs 350 crore of advertising, leaving only Rs 120-130 crore for the big spenders to use for the KBC's new avatar, industry sources added.

Small advertisers have set aside Rs 80-100 crore on television as the World Cup draws close, media planners said.

Copyright 2007, Business Standard Limited story

http://www.agencyfaqs.com/news/stories/2007/01/12/16849.html

On Bumper Sale - SRK

Does ShahRukh Khan really need the kind of build-up he is receiving before the launch of KBC, asks SHAILAJA BAJPAI

OPINION

Someone is very nervous about ShahRukh Khan. think it's ShahRukh Khan. along with Sameer Nair, CEO Star. for all the Badshah of Bollywood's swagger and Nair's off the cuff insouciant air, they're getting jittery as Launch day approaches. Kaun Banega Crorepati will go into its thrid season on January 22, this time with ShahRukh Khan as a first time host, who has replaced Amitabh Bachchan in the anchor's seat. Since the announcement of his investiture in early December Star has launched the mother of all promotional campaigns for the programme and its new star.

For those in the media who cover television, this has taken several forms: we are being bombarded with publicity material. the big brown envelope with Star's logo arrives dutifully every twice a week with the latest photographs, e-mail updates on everything from how Khan has built a mock studio at home where he can practise his lines (or is it questions?)and what he thinks of his upcoming role, what Nair and producer Siddharth Basu think of it (everything that is good, obviously), to what other people in the TV industry think of his ascension to Bachchan's throne (handpicked actors of the Star show - what do you expect but superlative welcomes?). As Shah Rukh makes his way to the anchor's seat, his advance guard is carpeting (or littering?) his way with press releases. That's not all. there are more outpourings in all media on what kind of questions will be asked of expectant participants, how to answer these questions with practise questions to get you really enthusiastic and ready to sms Star to appear on the show.

Does this suggest taut nerves? Well, there seems to be an element of panic, a worrying crease on the brow which suggests that the KBC team is asking itself some questons: what if the show does not top Bachchan's ratings? What if the show cannot maintain the ratings earlier KBC episodes received? What if KBC with King Khan does not permanently put Saloni and Bani's noses out of joint? These heroines of the successful dailies, Saat Phere and Kasamh Se have helped Zee challenge Star's near monopoly of the top viewership ratings from 8.30 pm onwards. KBC will be telecast at 9 pm which sees it clash with Kasamh Se and Saat Phere.

Just how keen Star is on KBC and dependent on it to shore up its flagging dailies, became evident when we received detailed printed versions and CDs of the television promo planned for the show. This must be a first.

While most of us take it for granted that KBC will succeed, Khan and Nair seem less sure. Or as the promo says - there are some questons which can change everything. This programme could change both these gentlemen's lives.

How much is hanging by its success for them? For Nair it is very important: with sagging ratings for top shows and the number top of episodes having fallen as Zee's numbers have increased, and a shortfall in ideas that reach beyond the alphabet K, he needs to begin the new year with a big bang. Especially with the cricket world cup looming on the horizon, come March.

For SRK, the success of his show will only be a confirmation of his position as the top entertainment personality. Since Bachchan is aging gracefully into the role of senior statesman, this is Khan's opportunity to make the spot his own. A mediocre showing is likely to embarrass him without bruising his film career. However, there will be constant comparisons between his performance and that of Bachchan's - each week the ratings will be scrutinised to see who did better week for week.Any slip will see the knives out.

In view of what might be the fallout for Star and Khan, it is little wonder that they are pedalling KBC more furiously than Floyd Landis did his cycle to win Tour de France. Expect more of the same during the next two weeks.

(Indian Express - Newsline - Delhi - 8.1.07)

How SRK plans to match up to Big B!



There are two things Shah Rukh never runs out on, his energy and witty sense of humour and he's planning to use both of these to boost the popular game show that was associated with Big B in the past. When asked how he's planning to match up to Big B's height and his baritone voice, guess what was SRR's reply? He was overheard saying though he can't do anything about his height, he will try to do something with his trademark K-K-K style of dialogue delivery. Let's see if SRK gets lucky with his Ks!

http://movies.indiatimes.com/quickies/1124336.cms

KBC 3 rings aloud in small towns

Aminah Sheikh / Mumbai January 11, 2007

20% more call from youth, women.

Shah Rukh Khan, who stars in KBC 3, has received 20 per cent more calls from women and youngsters (aged between 18 to 35) than the big B, who hosted KBC 2 last year.

Star TV opened phone lines for callers who had to answer a question for participating in the program and get a chance to hit the hot seat with the Bollywood badshah.

Viren Popli, vice president - interactive services, Star India, says "In the third season of KBC, the number of youth and women has increased by 20 per cent."

All winners will receive cheque from Union Bank. Sources close to the developments said the deal with Union Bank was finalised for around Rs 1.5 crore, which is double the amount Kotak Bank paid last year.

Callers from small towns have contributed 53 per cent of the calls, which is 2 per cent more than last year. The calls from the top 25 cities has gone down from 49 per cent to 47 per cent this year.

More customers are calling from the mobile rather than through landlines. "This year with the mobile and landline penetration being wider, coupled with lower call rates, KBC 3 has received tremendous response from small towns. The mobile population has shot up by 30 per cent," said Popli.

The two pulse call last year was priced at Rs 6 per pulse for mobile callers and Rs 2.50 per pulse for landline users. However, this year both the landline and mobile call costs Rs 2.40 per pulse.

Airtel of course has been the chief beneficiary. With the wider phone call reach this year, Airtel (mobile and landline combined) contributed 40 per cent of the calls, while MTNL/ BSNL contributed to the remaining calls.

Airtel's contribution was only 25 per cent of all the calls in KBC 2. During KBC 2, Airtel had not extended the calling facility to its landline subscribers last year.

Star has also made its auditing of the program tighter by adding two major changes in the selection and audit process this year around. During KBC 2, an individual could participate in the 'Fastest Finger First' twice and once on the 'Hot Seat', as per the original format by Celador.

However, for its licensed Indian version of 'Who wants to be a millionaire', Star has taken special permission from Celador to allow KBC 3 to let an individual participate in the 'Fastest Finger First' only once.

The second major change on the show is the involvement of the international audit body, KPMG, for reviewing and auditing the entire selection process.

KPMG is tracing every call right from the first participation call to the final selection and confirmation call.

http://www.business-standard.com/bsonline/storypage.php?auto no=270988&leftnm=8

Siddharth Basu On The Sesismic Change On KBC & Other Upheavals.

By Subhash K Jha
January,11.,2007

Q: How did you enjoy producing your first dance show Jhalak Dikhla Jaa?

A: It was great fun. I enjoyed doing it even at such a short notice. Sony is keen on a second innings. As for the ratings, Sony had their own reasons for putting it on at 10 pm. Personally I felt should've been put in an earlier slot. That made a key difference.

I'd have been pleased with higher ratings. I must say it was a far bigger talking point among urban viewers than was reflected in the TRPs. The highest viewership for Jhalak… was Category A who aren't necessary metred for TRPs but have great buying power.

Q: Big Boss?

A: Again numbers don't reflect its viewership. It's a demographic non-ecompassing rating.

Q: People expected bigger celebrities on Bigg Boss.

A: Frankly, I had reservations about the format per se. T.S Eliot was right when he said we've too much reality in India. We tend to look away. In the West looking into someone's window is a voyeuristic delight. However the success of Bigg Boss doesn't depend on celebrities in any part of the world.

Even out West they took on junior artistes and so on. Moreover the whole concept behind Bigg Boss is artificial. Contestants can't make phone calls, can't take a siesta, can't read or watch tv. So all sorts of bizarre things start happening.In Holland they start having sex. Here we can't have that.

Q: KBC …and its dramatic change?

A: ShahRukh Khan was always the most obvious alternative. And I've said that for a long time. However I was only informed by Star last week about the change. Having said so, I think it's great choice, though only as an alternative to Mr Bachchan. AB has been ambivalent about doing KBC again.

One part of him says he's done enough of KBC. But I kept urging him to do it. He achieved a certain effect that the show required. By the second innings he was really enjoying himself. I feel he was much more relaxed with the crew, etc the second time.

But after his sudden illness whenever I met him I kept asking him to do it again. I've heard he had other commitments. I'm also told that as far back as July he had written to Star and told them he doesn't want to do it. Once they got a fix on Shah Rukh, Star went ahead with it.

Q: So why Shah Rukh?

A: Because he's a smart and young people's person. He's charming and cheeky. He's very willing to prepare hard. A lot of reservations about being an anchor. Shah Rukh has none of the anxieties that most actors have about anchoring. The tone tenor texture will change with Shah Rukh.

Change at the anchoring level is inevitable on KBC. It's happened in 106 countries. But I still get goose pimples when I see what AB did on KBC. His not returning to KBC is just one of those things. It wasn't meant to be.

Q: But Indian viewers are a sentimental lot. To them KBC is synonymous with Mr Bachchan.

A: I suppose so. Even in his second innings the ratings were higher than the first innings. Look, that initial euphoria of the first innings when streets were empty, was missing in the second innings. But in terms of viewership the second innings was better.

However it took a knock when Mr Bachchan fell ill and the show had to be terminated. I think AB was awesome. If he wanted to continue, there was no question of looking elsewhere. Having said that, I must say the format has legs.

The essential drama of the drama plus Shah Rukh will carry it forward. At the press conference with Shah Rukh the girls were going crazy. It will have a younger zingy feel. And the viewership today is young…between 18 to 34.

Q: Is Reality tv the new high for home viewers?

A: For how long do you think truth will remain stranger than fiction? I strictly feel the unscripted format has a limited shelf life. The world over the deathly sameness of Santa Barbara and The Bold & The Beautiful was countered by reality tv.

But that's just one of the currents. Reality TV won't over-take anything. The glamour of the 'tit' and the 'grit' will run out. There'll always be room for soaps.

Q: What next ?

A: I'm sure you're aware our company Synergy has gone into collaboration with Adlabs for KBC. They own 51 percent of our company now. Let's see what happens. I've my fingers crossed.

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