The war's spilling into print-BW

The war's spilling into print

There's a new scramble for eyeballs between two channels these days. But this war seemingly isn't being fought on air, but in newsprint. How do you explain the sudden front page gossip items in newspapers about celebs who are participating in either Sony's Jhalak Dikhhla Ja or Star One's soon-to-launch Nach Baliye 2? The impending divorce of one celeb, the former relationship between one participant and a judge, an unknown spouse's surprise anniversary party for the star husband (when both are to be a participating couple)... All these could well be innocuous news items for an entertainment starved public, but their timing is uncanny. Gone are the days when strong content could rest assured of success. It's hype and publicity all the way now, be it positive or negative.

The best talent from among the common people however continues to be attracted by Sony's Boogie Woogie, which Naved, Jaaved and Ravi continue to host with equal enthusiasm even after eight years. The show keeps improvising, even though the basic format remains true to the original. Last week's shaadi theme attracted a host of dance groups from across the country, whose zestful dances were a delight to watch. But if the channel thought that cross promoting CID through Boogie Woogie by inserting comic clips of interactions between Ravi and Naved with the CID team would work, it should have another think coming. Shivaji Satam clearly looked out of depth and his cronies didn't fare any better, although Ravi and Naved did salvage the day..

http://www.indiantelevision.com/special/boxpopuli/y2k6/sep/b oxpopuli20.htm