International Viewers & Comments - Page 2

Originally posted by: Spartan187

I usually don't write on many forums unless there is something that really needs to be said and I had some thoughts to put out there. And before any one says it is too long to read, be warned it is a long post so if you don't have the patience or attention span to read something more than a few lines long, pls save yourself the trouble and click on the next post.

In North America ( I'm Canadian) the tv cable system works this way usually, you sign up with a major provider, get the basic channels and then for multicultural channels, such as ATN, SONY, AAPKA etc. you pay per channel for example, for one channel, Sony, you have to pay @350 rupees per month and obviously the royalties go back to the Indian networks. Prime time is considered between 7:30-9:30 roughly, so about 4 timeslots.

Are you telling me that Humsafars wasn't good enough to run in any of those 4 spots, that it wasn't in the top 4 shows that wasn't a crime drama? Why is it that other shows that no one watches were able to stay on, and I can't mention the show names but the one where there is a spirit inhabiting another persons body?

So my comment is that all the international viewers in the world who pay to watch the show have absolutely no bearing on whether or not the shows stay on or not, that they can take our money but not give us any say in how popular a show is at all, essentially, our opinions or viewing habits don't matter right?

I don't watch many serials at all, they have to be different than the typical SAAS-BAHU nonsense so its only very few shows that can attract a large international following in addition to the local indian population. It is these very shows that are different that need to have representation by everyone who watches them. I am going to use a show for example from another network that has been finished for a while, Saraswatichandra. Now it never really attained the heights of popularity ppl thought it would but that network paid some attention to the international audience where that show was very popular and despite there being constant rumors as to it ending thru its entire run, it lasted 19 months because even though the TRP's never supported it locally, that network paid some attention to outside viewers.

I am not using this show to say what network is better etc or if that show was better or good at all, just using it as an example. Why would a professional network pull the plug on a show when its commonly known it takes anywhere between 6-8 months to really develop a strong following with the right promotion?

Sony really can't be that out to lunch to think that they can replace Humsafars, a show that has adult leads, a complex man and woman in a complex relationship, with a show that looks like it belongs on the Nickelodean channel since the leads of the show look like they are little boys and girls playing house compared to the cast of Humsafars.

I guarantee that this show and also the one with Ram Kapoor will be gone within 4-5 months, thru no fault of the actors etc. but rather that Sony seems to think that all their shows need to attain the same TRP's as their crime drama's. Different shows like Humsafar's and (it looks like that Ram Kapoor's won't be quite typical either) will never get those high crime drama TRP"S but as every network knows, diversity is key or else you will burn the audience out and lose their interest if all you have is one type of show. After Ram Kapoor's show fails, it will be a major sign to other popular actors/actresses that Sony is a "show killer" and would you want to sign with a network that pulls the plug within a few short months? Maybe it will take this current batch of shows to fail for Sony to get a clue, for the light to finally shine into the dark empty heads of the Sony executives to understand that talented actors aren't easy to find and to develop the brains to learn patience.

Anyways, I just wanted to say my thoughts on this show once before its gone and now a comment.

I was angry at Sony for pulling the plug on Humsafars but after watching the SBS segment where Shivya starts crying when Harshad is saying nice things about her, that turned my anger into full on Incredible Hulk Rage because to see that much chemistry being wasted made me livid.

To have the kind of chemistry they had on Humsafars is something you can't force, plan, or do anything to actually create, its either there or not, its that "magic" that is so hard to capture that separates average shows from the ones you will watch over and over again and who you bond with. To see such genuine affection and feelings on display throughout this show, on screen and off screen, and to see that much potential prematurely pulled, it makes me question the sanity of the channel executives. This is a promise though, I will never invest my time or caring in a network that shows no ability to back its shows long enough to accurately judge whether or not its a success or not . I know many people say they won't watch Sony but even if Harshad or Shivyai sign on with Sony again, I won't watch any of their shows because we all know we will be disappointed all over again and I'm not a glutton for punishment!

My utmost well wishes with all the cast of Humsafars, you truly are better off somewhere else.