Problems with Indian TV
In terms of quantity, Indian TV has grown exponentially in the last 10 years. From 2 channels, DD and DD-Metro in the early 90s to the 100s of channels we have now, there is no disagreement that we have become a more developed nation in terms of media and entertainment access. But have you also (like me) at times felt that inspite of the unlimited channels, many a times you just keep flipping channels but find nothing worthwhile to watch?
When we had just two channels, there were always a couple of shows each week that you followed and looked forward to. Is there anything like that on TV anymore? I would have assumed that there should be, but alas we have traded quality for quantity in terms of tv shows. To be fair, there is enough of good quality sports to watch, multiple hindi and english movies running all the time. But what about the fictional TV programming, is there anything on Indian TV that you follow nowadays? I for one haven't found anything worthwhile on TV to watch, (other than sports and music) for a long long time.
And then I read this article, which talks about this same lack of quality TV programmes on Indian channels today and tries to find the reasons plus suggest ways to solve this problem. The article talks about there being two Indias in India today, the rural uneducated masses and the urban educated segment. And both have different viewing preferences but the rural masses affect the TRPs a lot more just because of their numbers. According to him, this is what has led to a fall in the quality of programming we see nowadays.
The article also suggests that we can change this by emulating how TV channels work in other countries. For one, the paid channels should have advertisement free viewing and will need to worry about TRPs while the government channels who do not need to worry about their revenues should encourage quality programming as they are not controlled by their TRP ratings. The take on the India TV quality in the article is quite interesting..And I would like to add and support some of the issues he mentions.
There are definitely two Indias today, or at least an India other than what all the 'saas-bahu' serials service. As of today, other than reality shows, movies and sports, all other programming is all about the interactions between the saas and the bahu and an assortment of other players in the house. I am sure these serials have a huge following, but to a not-so-small section of society, this whole genre is complete mindless. And this section also deserves to see some quality TV shows. There should be at least something that you look forward to watching? Which would be some value-add to a mind or at least provide some entertainment? Is that too much to ask for?
There should definitely be something for them to watch, a comedy serial, a historical, a thriller, a sitcom. Where have all the Tipu Sultans and Chanakyas and Dekh Bhai Dekhs and Byomkesh Bakshis vanished? We just seem to have moved backward rather than forward as far as TV shows are concerned. And what a shame that is, that the 80s and 90s were far better than the 2000s.
(As an aside, Satyameva Jayate is something I would like to mention here. It is such a good programme, after ages there is something on TV that I wait every week to watch. And here is something which for sure might not get the TRPs as some other stuff that comes on TV, but you still feel proud to watch such a programme on Indian channels. Hats off to Aamir for taking such a risk!)
Is there really no one out there who realises this? Its been 10 years since we have been forced to see the same stories all over again. Give us all a break. Someone needs to bring about this change, maybe some new experimental directors? Maybe even Doordarshan can try to give some new directors a free reign to make good quality stuff. High time someone changes what comes on tv.. high time!
When we had just two channels, there were always a couple of shows each week that you followed and looked forward to. Is there anything like that on TV anymore? I would have assumed that there should be, but alas we have traded quality for quantity in terms of tv shows. To be fair, there is enough of good quality sports to watch, multiple hindi and english movies running all the time. But what about the fictional TV programming, is there anything on Indian TV that you follow nowadays? I for one haven't found anything worthwhile on TV to watch, (other than sports and music) for a long long time.
And then I read this article, which talks about this same lack of quality TV programmes on Indian channels today and tries to find the reasons plus suggest ways to solve this problem. The article talks about there being two Indias in India today, the rural uneducated masses and the urban educated segment. And both have different viewing preferences but the rural masses affect the TRPs a lot more just because of their numbers. According to him, this is what has led to a fall in the quality of programming we see nowadays.
The article also suggests that we can change this by emulating how TV channels work in other countries. For one, the paid channels should have advertisement free viewing and will need to worry about TRPs while the government channels who do not need to worry about their revenues should encourage quality programming as they are not controlled by their TRP ratings. The take on the India TV quality in the article is quite interesting..And I would like to add and support some of the issues he mentions.
There are definitely two Indias today, or at least an India other than what all the 'saas-bahu' serials service. As of today, other than reality shows, movies and sports, all other programming is all about the interactions between the saas and the bahu and an assortment of other players in the house. I am sure these serials have a huge following, but to a not-so-small section of society, this whole genre is complete mindless. And this section also deserves to see some quality TV shows. There should be at least something that you look forward to watching? Which would be some value-add to a mind or at least provide some entertainment? Is that too much to ask for?
There should definitely be something for them to watch, a comedy serial, a historical, a thriller, a sitcom. Where have all the Tipu Sultans and Chanakyas and Dekh Bhai Dekhs and Byomkesh Bakshis vanished? We just seem to have moved backward rather than forward as far as TV shows are concerned. And what a shame that is, that the 80s and 90s were far better than the 2000s.
(As an aside, Satyameva Jayate is something I would like to mention here. It is such a good programme, after ages there is something on TV that I wait every week to watch. And here is something which for sure might not get the TRPs as some other stuff that comes on TV, but you still feel proud to watch such a programme on Indian channels. Hats off to Aamir for taking such a risk!)
Is there really no one out there who realises this? Its been 10 years since we have been forced to see the same stories all over again. Give us all a break. Someone needs to bring about this change, maybe some new experimental directors? Maybe even Doordarshan can try to give some new directors a free reign to make good quality stuff. High time someone changes what comes on tv.. high time!
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