It’s moment of truth for Star Plus

It's moment of truth for Star Plus

Vivina Vishwanathan
Posted: 2009-08-01 09:34:37+05:30 IST
Updated: Aug 01, 2009 at 0934 hrs IST

New Delhi: Star Plus' latest reality game show, Sach Ka Saamna, opened to an overwhelming response from the viewers with a TVR of 4.6 for its inaugural episode telecast on July 15 at 10.30 pm. In its first three days, Sach Ka Saamna notched up 4.3 in average TVR, reaching an estimated 30 million cable and satellite viewers, according to data from audience measurement firm TAM Media Research.

"With all the controversies, Sach ka Saamna has managed to create a buzz which is working well for the show," says Punitha Arumugam, group CEO, Madison Media. "As the gossip quotient is high in the show, it should keep the audience interested."

Not just the gossip, the unique format is also a big draw. Contestants answer a series of 21 increasingly personal questions to receive a huge jackpot if the polygraph machine they are hooked on to indicates that they have answered the questions truthfully. "It is an experiment and a unique format where you have perfectly regular people talking about things that can be deemed 'scandalous' in our everyday scheme of things," an executive with a rival channel gives a back-handed compliment. "The problem is we haven't seen too many successful experiments on Indian television. More than 90% of the 13-million-plus television homes in India own a single TV, and that remains one of the reasons why channels have been cautious about introducing formats that have raised the heckles of audiences even in the Western world."

Star Plus is betting its shirt on Sach Ka Saamna, a licensed version of the hit American series, Moment of Truth, which has been aired in 23 countries. After ruling the TVR charts for years with shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhii Bahu Thi and Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kasautii Zindagii Kay the general entertainment channel lost ground to upstart Colors and needed that one killer show that could bring it back on top.

The gamble is paying off, at least for the time being. Sach Ka Saamna debuted at No 4 in the top 10 shows. In comparison, NDTV Imagine's Rakhi Ka Swayamvar got an average TVR of 3.1, Sony's Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao (based on I'm A Celebrity; Get Me Out Of Here) clocked an average TVR of 2 and Colors' India's Got Talent garnered 2.9.

Says Sameer Nair, chief executive officer, NDTV Imagine, the main force behind Star Plus' KBC, "KBC and...Sach Ka Saamana are shows of different genres, telecasted at different, time and so the comparison between them is just not feasible. Its still early days for Sach Ka Saamna, and the success or failure of a show can not be determined by its early showing."...