TOI: Tellys NET gains - KTLK

Tellys Net Gains

A lots brewing on social networking sites,as TV shows find it a lucrative medium to increase viewership

Navya Malini


Lets do social networking seems to be the mantra that television industry is resorting to these days.What makes the world of social networking more interesting is that show makers as well as TV channels are taking quantum leaps to reap in the net advantage that these interactive platforms offer.

Many channels have taken a step further to cash in on the new media advantage by integrating social networking platform to their own websites wherein a TV enthusiast may log in to facebook or twitter on the respective website itself too leave a comment and share views.

Whos not smitten by the internet bug Taking from general entertainment channels,youth entertainment channels and kids entertainment channels to lifestyle channels and factual entertainment channels,every genre is trying to maximize reach through social networking.Even actors like Ram Kapoor have used social networking platform to share his views on his shows (Bade Achche Laggte Hain) feedback.

With everyone in the showbiz supply chain contributing his/her bit with the aid of new media,the net fervor is expected to scale new heights,echoes the industry in unison.

Producer Hemal Thakkar owes this development to the huge potential of the World Wide Web.The digital age is all about awareness and youth connect.And it is just the beginning of TV cashing in on the digital revolution.The new media and the potential of viral marketing is growing so fast that it makes it imperative for those in showbiz to embrace the medium, says Thakkar adding,Sometimes,it is the initial enthusiasm that leads the showmakers to be active on the net.The effort to communicate should be a continuous process.
Name any show,in any genre,the netizen is going find the rushes,the previous episodes,teasers and even spoilers on these sites.Even fan clubs help add multiplier effect by adding more sites on a particular show they like.The result: actors popularity furthering the brand equity of a show.

Sudheer KG,vice president,programming,of a leading factual entertainment channel says,The feedback on shows on social networking sites has been amazing.The kind of fan following that participants
of a show receive cant be described in mere words.One example is how Lisa Kelly,one of the participants in Ice Road Trukkers amassed a huge fan base on the social networking page.What works here is the connect that is established which works in favour of a show.People relate to those who look for survival and struggle for existence.

While producer Raakesh Paswan feels this move may not yield tangible returns in terms of viewership,but the producer,nevertheless,feels social networking platform can be used to maximize the feedback from the savvy audience.The feedback received helps us realize what the audience is looking for.We tend to become too subjective while working round the clock,which is a natural outcome.It is here that the feedback on social networking sites helps us jot down valuable comments, says Paswan.
It may seem to be just the tip of the iceberg as the new age media offers lot of scope to weave that magic wand of connecting to target groups.