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Tchchaadhari naagins are changing the dynamics of Indian television programming.
Wondering how? Until now, saas-bahu dramas and other fiction shows mostly aired on weekdays (Monday to Friday), while reality shows, other non-fiction shows and movies dominated the weekends (Saturday and Sunday).
Wondering how? Until now, saas-bahu dramas and other fiction shows mostly aired on weekdays (Monday to Friday), while reality shows, other non-fiction shows and movies dominated the weekends (Saturday and Sunday).
But now, with the success of Ekta Kapoor's 'Naagin' on weekends, TV channels are planning to air most of their weekday fiction shows on all seven days of the week. This means that saas-bahu sagas and other rona-dhona may just take over your lives 24/7. It's not that our TV channels did not attempt this in the past, but fiction shows somehow have never quite worked in terms of TRPs on weekends.
However, with 'Naagin' becoming a success and raking in a phenomenal 6.0 ratings on TV, general entertainment channels are looking to alter their programme schedules. The channel that airs 'Naagin', recently announced their decision to extend their family dramas to all seven days. Another popular channel has added all their prime time shows to the weekend list, which already has other shows airing in that slot. A few other channels, too, are contemplating doing this.
Says Manisha Sharma, channel programming head, "Every broadcaster has a different programming strategy on the basis of which a mix of fiction and non-fiction content is decided. As far as we are concerned, we continue to maintain a healthy balance between both throughout the year. In the case of 'Naagin', it was a conscious decision to air it on weekends as it's a finite series. If it were to be aired daily, the show would conclude very soon, increasing the pressure on our programming team. Also, 'Naagin' is an edgy show with VFX effects which makes it an expensive production proposition. Making it a weekend-only property has engaged audiences further."
Meanwhile, as fiction shows gear up to air seven days a week, production houses are feeling the pressure. "It's not a joke to make a family drama that airs 365 days in a year. In India, we don't have a huge bank of episodes and things are done at the last minute. It's going to be really tough." Adds another producer, "Right from the technicians to the actors, everyone's lives are going to change. The big worry is for the writers, who will have to get even more imaginative, given that they will have two extra episodes to churn out every week."
Meanwhile, as fiction shows gear up to air seven days a week, production houses are feeling the pressure. "It's not a joke to make a family drama that airs 365 days in a year. In India, we don't have a huge bank of episodes and things are done at the last minute. It's going to be really tough." Adds another producer, "Right from the technicians to the actors, everyone's lives are going to change. The big worry is for the writers, who will have to get even more imaginative, given that they will have two extra episodes to churn out every week."
But it seems like a risk worth taking. And daily soap lovers are going to be happy... but did we just hear their cricket-crazy husbands complain?!
Roshni Olivera | TNN |
