One never thought a day would come when you would say the saas-bahu sagas that ruled the telly in the millenimum were more progressive and innovative than what we see today! If possible, TV has become even more regressive — the small-screen has been invaded by naagins, daayans, ghosts and supernatural forces. This year the TV audience measurement system Broadcast Audience Research Council brought the small towns and interiors of the country under its gambit. And that has made a paradigm shift in the programming. The shows are more skewed towards the rural areas as the numbers come from there. Those who are experimenting with urban-centric shows are finding it difficult to sustain what with youngsters tuning out of TV and logging onto the net to watch original web series that reflect their tastes.
Naagin ka raaj
In the ’80s and ’90s the theme of icchadari naagin was a favourite among filmmakers who churned out several movies like Nagina, Nigahen, Zehreeli Nagin, etc. Now, three decades later, the small-screen has brought the snake woman back in vogue, thanks to the track that was introduced in the serial Sasural Simar Ka produced by Rashmi Sharma. It became so popular that Ekta Kapoor decided to launch an entire serial Naagin around the theme with Mouni Roy and Ada Khan playing the lead roles. And it became the number one show on the show within a week! Then a snake woman with a comic angle was brought in Neeli Chhatri Waale with Rakshanda Khan playing a naagin. Another show Adhuri Kahaani Hamari that is about reincarnation also revolves around a snake. In fact, channels want producers to make more shows on this topic. A top producer-director who doesn’t want to be named says that he has already turned down three such shows!
Crime continues to sell
No matter how many differentiated fiction shows Sony brings, it’s the crime shows that are giving them the numbers. Be it CID, the longest running serial on Indian TV or Crime Patrol and Savdhan India and Shapath that is now called Supercops Vs Supervillains (Life OK), there is a morbid fascination for them. The more sensational it is, the better, even if it is under the guise of making people alert and aware of the crimes that are happening around. In fact, Crime Patrol and Savdhan India are daily shows.
Rehashed content
Despite so many channels and shows, there is really nothing innovative to write home about this year. The storylines of most shows have been borrowed from old shows or films. Like Swaragini seems to be a dramatic version of Sapan Babul Ka Bidaai, KaalaTeeka is a rehash of Uttaran and a new show that has Shilpa Shirodkar in the lead role is said to be on the lines of Anil Kapoor-Madhuri Dixit starrer Beta. One track in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein was borrowed from Khoon Bhari Maang where a crocodile attacked Divyanka. Also, the double role track which was a novelty once became de rigueur with several serials like Meri Aashiqui Tumse Hi, Jamai Raja and Udaan showing the main lead in a twin avatar.
Old is gold
Like last year, it is the long-running shows that continue to be the channel-drivers. Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chasmah, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Diya Aur Baati Hum, Balika Vadhu that have been airing for seven years or more continue to rule. While new shows like Badtameez Dil, Man Marziyan, Itti Si Khushi, etc have been yanked off within a couple of months. The span given to new shows to sustain has become lesser.
Period dramas enthrall
The trend of mythologicals and historicals is here to stay. Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat and Maharana Pratap are popular among kids never mind if the facts have been compromised and fictionalised. Mythologicals like Siya Ke Ram, Suryaputra Karan and Santoshi Maa are grabbing eyeballs, the latter has become the No 2 show on &TV.
Bad year for non-fiction
Whether it was Nach Baliye 7, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Reloaded or Bigg Boss 9 the ratings of these reality shows have taken a beating. So much so, that the makers need to rethink about bringing back these shows for another season. Clearly, there’s no novelty left.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "TV Trends for 2015")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}