TOI: TV soaps pip reality

Amid a number of channels vying for their share in terms of Gross Rating Points (GRPs) and shows indulging in Television Viewers' Rating (TVR) tussle, Indian television witnesses a number of formats being introduced to grab attention. However, figuratively speaking, television today speaks volumes about the success story of soaps which are leaving their reality show counterparts far behind in terms of popularity quotient.

While shows like Saath Nibhana Saathiya, Diya Aur Baati Hum, Uttaran, Balika Vadhu, CID, Pavitra Rishta et al have been consistently doing well in terms of popularity charts, reality shows like Sach Ka Saamna... Phir Se Hoga, Mover And Shakers-2 have not been able to make it to the top 10 cut. If last year's reality shows are to be considered, barring Panchkoti Mahamoney Kaun Banega Crorepati, no other show managed to retain the momentum in terms of TVRs. Even a show like Bigg Boss Season 5 which had the star presence of Salman Khan teaming up with Sanjay Dutt, except for the first episode which got a TVR of 4.25, did not climb up to the top 10 programs subsequently. While KBC 5 rode high with the towering brand presence of Amitabh Bachchan.

Picture this. The X Factor Grand Finale got a TVR of 1.8, while the opening week of India's Got Talent got the TVR of 3.6 only to witness the dwindling number in viewership to 1.94 in about eight weeks (source: TAM Media Research). At the same time Hrithik Roshan's brand equity too failed to grab more attention in terms of TVRs in Just Dance too.

So what makes fiction rule the roost on Indian television while reality is the slice of life internationally? According to many in the industry, it is something to do with selling a story. "Indian viewers are used to storytelling which is integral to our upbringing and culture," says producer Hemal Thakkar. "Starting from mythology to current crop of stories, what moves the audience is the narration of a story. This is where reality shows borrowed from international formats didn't establish that strong a connect. There are exceptions like KBC which has been doing consistently well and shows like Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and Antakshari which had loyal audience," he adds.

What the industry echoes in unison is the need to introduce a format with a mass appeal. "The potential of reality shows to rake in more eyeballs can't be overruled as these shows click with a particular set of audience. It is where bringing in shows with mass appeal can work wonders," says producer Asit Modi adding, "KBC has that mass appeal. As it is, Amitabh Bachchan enjoys a special pedestal with his demi god stature among the masses. Plus, the format of the show really made the show enjoyable and also watchable by the entire family - from kids to grandparents."

While producer Sudhir Sharma says, "From the broadcasters' point of view fiction has been the bread and butter. Fiction, apart from giving tangible returns, also proves to be economically feasible for a channel, whereas reality shows are expensive. Shows like Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Balika Vadhu have been doing consistently well and have been game changers of sorts. The more consistent and high the TRPs, the more sustaining the shows are going to be in the long run."

While Sudhir feels that at the moment there is no comparing fiction to non-fiction, Asit feels, "Fiction has always been a strong contender for TRPs because it has the USP of being an attention gripper which reality show formats imported from abroad somehow lack in. Drama laced stories always hold attention."

Tellymantra is definitely a tough one to crack. What makes the small screen an enigmatic platform is the innumerable challenges that the world of tube presents to those in the showbiz game.