‘The End’ of game shows?

NEW DELHI, FEB 6: Business considerations seem to be taking over the 'me-too' approach of entertainment channels as they contemplate shutting down their over-hyped game-shows.

While the second avatar of 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' (KBC-II) is going off Star Plus this month citing Amitabh Bachchan's health concerns, Sony Entertainment (Deal or No Deal) and Zee TV (Kum Ya Zyada) are also dabbling with cost-benefit analysis of airing the shows which are yielding low returns and cost more.

According to industry sources, the cost of producing each episode of these shows is between Rs 15-20 lakhs, whereas ad-revenue generation is not more than Rs 8-10 lakhs.

"In addition to this, both Zee and Sony spent Rs 5-7 crore on promoting their game shows but its just not making any moolah for them forcing them to reconsider," sources said. Advertising revenue generation is directly related to the ratings. While KBC-II had booked ads over Rs 80 crore before it went on air, it gave Star a 19.7 TVR and continues to give a TVR of 8. "Game shows for both Zee and Sony deliver a television rating of not more than two, thereby drastically affecting advertisement revenues," sources pointed out. Now Zee and Sony are putting new programming strategy in action. New shows from Zee include a soap 'Johny Aila-re' and 'Business Bazigar', whereas 'Saat Phere' and 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' continue to bring a TV rating of 2.5-3 for Zee. For Sony, 'Indian Idol' is sustaining the programming drive for the moment apart from 'Kaisa Ye Pyaar...'. Both shows are getting a TVR of over 2-3 for Sony.

"While 'Kum Ya Zyaada' should be going off-air soon, Sony is making a last ditch effort to see if Mandira Bedi will boost the stooping ratings of 'Deal or No Deal'," sources said.According to industry sources, the cost of producing each episode of these shows is between Rs 15-20 lakhs, whereas ad-revenue generation is not more than Rs 8-10 lakhs.

"In addition to this, both Zee and Sony spent Rs 5-7 crore on promoting their game shows but its just not making any moolah for them forcing them to reconsider," sources said. Advertising revenue generation is directly related to the ratings. While KBC-II had booked ads over Rs 80 crore before it went on air, it gave Star a 19.7 TVR and continues to give a TVR of 8. "Game shows for both Zee and Sony deliver a television rating of not more than two, thereby drastically affecting advertisement revenues," sources pointed out. Now Zee and Sony are putting new programming strategy in action. New shows from Zee include a soap 'Johny Aila-re' and 'Business Bazigar', whereas 'Saat Phere' and 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' continue to bring a TV rating of 2.5-3 for Zee. For Sony, 'Indian Idol' is sustaining the programming drive for the moment apart from 'Kaisa Ye Pyaar...'. Both shows are getting a TVR of over 2-3 for Sony.

"While 'Kum Ya Zyaada' should be going off-air soon, Sony is making a last ditch effort to see if Mandira Bedi will boost the stooping ratings of 'Deal or No Deal'," sources said.