Growth of Reality Television

Q. Discuss the growth of reality television show in India and analyze the cause of their immense popularity among the Indian audiences.
Indian are high on the emotional quotient and anything that strikes the emotional chord is a instant hit in India. The success of reality show in India can be attributed to a great extent to this weakness. The relief that these shows provide from the saas-bahu soaps is another reason for their immense popularity. The rising popularity of the reality shows on Indian television channels has added a new dimension to the production of TV programmes. These shows give opportunities to the prodigies residing in the interiors of the country to showcase their talent.
The craze for reality television hit India when channel V came up with Viva, a band of five young singers. When auditions were announced, young dreamers gathered in huge numbers to give their luck a try. They cried when they failed and celebrated when they triumphed. The audience lapped up this overdose of emotions thrown with open hands. The show was a big success and an inspiration for both the shrews business minds and also for the young dreamers waiting for their share of fame.
Since there has been no looking back as reality television channels proliferated with each passing day. With the registration for each show surpassing the last one and the audience votes pouring in billions, all doubts over the acceptability of these shows by the Indian audience subsided.
The potential of reality shows was exploited by various television channels. Kaun Banega Crorepati, India take on ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionare’, catapulted Star TV to number one position. Similarly, Sony’s popularity saw a huge rise after it launched Indian Idol, an adaptation of a hit British reality show. It was reality television the wrote the destiny of TV channel Star One. It’s two reality shows ‘The Great Indian Laughter Challenge’ and ‘Nach Baliye’ brought popularity to the channel.
Reality shows not only changed the destinies of many TV channels but also of many ordinary people. People like Kunal Ganjawala, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shreya Ghosal and Debojit are some of the successful finds of reality television. It was only because of these shows that a teashop owner, Sunil Pal, became a laughter champion and Prashant, a sepoy from Darjeeling, became the third Indian Idol.
Reality Television is a win-win situation for everyone, be it contestants, channels or the viewers. For the viewers they are refreshing change from the somnolent saas-bahu dramas. The biggest gainers, however are the contestants who get the right platform to showcase their talent. There is a lot of untapped talent in our country and these shows by extending their reach to small cities provide an opportunity to bring out this hidden talent. A chef from Chamba manages to reach the final round in Zee TV Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. In Star One’s Lakme Fashion House, 16 aspiring fashion designers strived to create a design to win an assignment with Donatella at the house of Versace – a life time opportunity for any beginner. These shows gives an instant recognition to the contestants. A chance to showcase their talent on such a big platform and infront of such esteemed judges is something for which any struggler can die. The high TRP’s that these shows command explain the advantage they have for television channels.
The fact that the contestants in these shows are ordinary people with whom audiences immediately relate to is the biggest trump card of these shows. The vicarious joy which people get in seeing somebody from amongst them living an almost impossible dream glues people to these shows. Reality shows are a ray of hope for the ordinary people. These shows not only give them the courage to dream but also assistance to turn their dreams into reality. Such shows provide them with lifetime opportunity.