Surfing Channels
A critical look at the variegated TV channels

By Bharti Mishra

From ‘Humlog’ and ‘Buniyad’ to ‘Kaun Banega crorepati’, T V programmes have come a long way. Television viewing was never so intense the way it is today. It won’t be an exaggeration to admit that Television programmes, alongwith cricket, are the most potent instruments of unifying our whole nation.

TV entered the Indian household during the ‘Asiad’ of 1982 when the ‘Lucy Show’, DD’s Comedy show’, ‘Chitrahar’, Idhar Udhar’ and even ‘Krishi Darshan  were fondly watched. But, satellite TV has transformed the basic concept of programmes. The good old DD with a potpourri of programmes ranging from soaps to sports to film-based programmes has simply become redundant as nobody with a cable connection likes watching it. And why not when umpteen TV channels are already providing special programmes for everyone in the family. The channels have carved a niche for themselves and have committed viewers of different age group. The lady of the house can choose any of the soapy serials shown on Sony, Zee and Star Plus every afternoon and evenings. Similarly for men, there is no dearth of action on AXN and Star Movies or Sports on ESPN, Star Sports or DD sports. The senior citizens have BBC, CNN, Star News and Zee News while the kids have Cartoon Network and other tailor-made programmes on different channels. Feature films, which were aired once a week on Sunday evenings till a few years ago, can be seen 24 hours a day on a number of channels. There is almost no difference between the TV programmes and the FMCC since both are brands & with a high consumer share and are marketed professionally. And the viewing is not only soothing to the eyes and the mind but it benefits one’s  pocket too in many cases. There is a plethora of gameshows on almost all the channels on which not only the participants but also the audience can win fabulous prizes ranging from consumer durables to free holiday trips to Goa, Ooty and Kulu-Manali.

The cable boom was started by Star Plus and Zee TV. Star plus, in due course, began catering to the Hindi audience and started Star World for the English speaking viewers. The public opinion is that, Star News is the wisest and most likeable show aired by Rupert Murdoch’s channel. Many of the other programmes are repetitive and insipid. In fact, every programme is telecast twice in the span of 24 hours as well as in a week. Only a few serials, like ‘Saans’ and ‘Kora Kaagaz’ have desisted from over exposure by following the dictum of telecasting one episode every week. But, Star Plus, alongwith Zee and Sony has the credit of airing the most watchable serials like ‘Saans’ ‘Kora Kaagaz’, ‘Pal Chinn’ ‘Tu Tu Main Main’ and the most recent, ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, an adaptation of the American game show, ‘who wants to be a millionaire’. The ‘Crorepati’ show first attracted attention for its megastar host, Amitabh Bachchan, and as it started progressing its TRP ratings started soaring. Now, the prime slot of 9 to 10 pm is reserved in many households for ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ as it has aroused interest in the maidservants, watchmen, washermen, children and the grannies alike, all of whom know the answer of at least a few questions asked on the show. And mind you the minimum value of one answer is one thousand rupees. Besides, the show has gained credibility on three counts, firstly its host, Amitabh Bachchan; secondly, its producer, the quintessential quiz master, Siddharth Basu, and finally, because of the cheque being handed over ‘live’ immediately on the show. In reality, every thousand of rupees won by the participants is applauded by millions glued to their TV sets in the homes all of whom wish to participate one day and win the prize money themselves. The show with a 32-week lifespan, ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ has undoubtedly aroused public interest in the idiot box as never before.

Zee TV, is perhaps the favourite channel of housewives. Their most popular serial ‘HumPanch’ has been a trendsetter and had a marathon run of five years. Similarly, ‘Khana Khazana’ hosted by Sanjeev Kapoor became so  famous that a series of similar cookery shows mushroomed on all possible channels. Since Zee has been a torchbearer, its musical programmes like ‘Closeup Antakshari’ and ‘Sa Re Ga Ma’ have not only been highly viewed but also helped find talented singers. Playback singer, Sanjivani, who sang a popular song in the movie ‘Kareeb’ was discovered on ‘Sa Re Ga Ma’. Similarly, Sony TV has also helped unearth talents through its shows ‘Boogie Woogie’ etc. The best part about all these shows is that they’ve all been either partly shot in Goa or had some indirect reference. ‘Closeup Antakshari’ and ‘Boogie Woogie ‘were shot in Dona Paula for a few episodes.

Zee TV started the famous ‘Aap ki Adalat’ hosted by Rajat Sharma who seemed so forthright and shrewd that most of the guests had a tough time answering his volley of well-researched questions. The contribution of ‘India’s Most Wanted’ was in involving the public in catching criminals wherein over a dozen criminals were apprehended, thanks to the clue provided by the viewers. This was the main reason for its historic success. The episode on sandalwood smuggler, Veerappan, was keenly watched in Goa.

But, the popular soaps have their darker side too. Never has the vulnerable Indian viewer been exposed to programmes containing adultery, incest, extra-marital affairs, well-planned murder and white-collar crimes as he is now. Every second serial either shows adultery or is based on the intrigues and conspiracies of two rich business families. The serials, now, do not talk about lakhs; they have protagonists who deal in crores. And this affects the immature and naive viewer. No wonder, the values and social norms are eroding fast not because of MTV and Channel ‘V’, but also due to the indigenous channels.

Goa, being an industrialized state, boasts of a cosmopolitan population. And the cable operators do not lag behind in catering to the choice of these diverse cultures. Marathi, being the secondmost widely spoken language, is also favoured by the masses who have the choice between the Marathi programmes of Doordarshan and Zee Marathi channel.

The Goa Doordarshan shows wide ranging programmes in Konkani from six to seven in the evenings during weekdays. These include Konkani songs, dramas, documentary, panel discussion, news capsule and current affairs.

Inspite of its short duration, the Konkani programmes have a mass appeal and a wide viewership. The Marathi programmes relayed by the Doordarshan Kendra, Goa, are also watched avidly. The Marathi news, classical music, popular songs are a few of the famous programmes.

Goa has an elite (mostly) population which prefers speaking in Portuguese within the family. Though less in number, the Portuguese-speaking are trying desperately to contain the rising popularity of English among their children. The relay of the Portuguese language channel – RTP – has been a welcome relief for the nostalgic Portuguese – speaking gentry who’ve developed an instant liking for the channel. Besides,  there are many fmailies who’ve close relatives either settled in Portugal or temporarily working there. And the channel has proved to be the unbilical cord. “It has helped revive old memories and cherished the present incidents”, says Cleta Fernandes whose daughter Audrey has recently migrated to Portugal. “The best part about RTP is that unlike MTV or Channel ‘V’ it is free from even an iota of obscenity,” adds her neighbour Clifa Pereira, who is also an avid watcher.

There are several families in Goa who though are ethnically non-Goans but have made the State their permanent abode either due to service or business interests. The Kannadigas from Belgum and Karwar, Keralites, Maharashtrians from Sawantwadi and Kolhapur, and retired Navy officials from almost allover India who’ve settled in Vasco belong to this category of Goans. Since they speak their mother tongue at home, the Asianet, Udaya TV, Sun TV, ETV, Gemini, Alpha, Zee Bengali are very popular and are relayed all over Goa. “Almost all the regional channels are shown by all the cable operators in Goa due to a very high demand of the viewers”, says a cable operator. Perhaps the most important contribution of television and its popularity has been the rising standards of advertising. The quality of Indian advertisements has been ever rising for the past decade or so. And TV has been its source as well as beneficiary. In fact, channels like SET Max have been following the most lethal combination of entertainment – cricket and cinema – and it’s advertisements that have sustained them.

From ‘Movers and Shakers’ to ‘Baywatch’, from ‘Aahat’ to ‘Heena’, ‘Aashriwad’ to ‘Kartavya’, ‘Saans’ to ‘Kanyadaan’, the Indian viewer is living on a staple diet of television programmes churned round the clock. Television has overtaken the film industry and nobody would’ve predicted that even the once elusive ‘Big B’ would adorn the small screen.

In our modern life, TV has become a complete source of entertainment. In fact, it has begun to dictate our lifestyle and value system. Taking advantage of this situation, the TV channels are hell bent on moulding their programmes to the taste of the viewers. Interactivity is in. people are not happy simply being passive receptors. They want to have a say in what they watch. So move out ‘Santa Barbara’ and ‘Bold & Beautiful’. People would rather watch Alley Mc Beal and Xena. Because they’re today’s trendsetters.