New on the box

The stage was set when the mothers-in-law started plotting against their daughters-in-law. Then came the amateurs-turned-comedy kings who made you guffaw.

Now, the true-life episodes (read reality shows) and fresher programming concepts promise the viewers lively evenings in front of the television.

Right from Star, Zee, Sony, Sahara, Channel V and MTV to even a few news channels, everyone is bubbling over their new programming bouquets. One can heave a sigh of relief since none of the newer serials intend to bring back saas-bahu sagas to the idiot box.

The spectrum has widened to include reality shows, thrillers and very 'upmarket dramas'. Every other channel has plans for "something new and innovative" to touch the chord of the millions who hold the master key "" the TRP ratings.

Star One is a channel that made the bored-to-death young viewers take notice of television with programmes like The Laughter Challenge, Nach Baliye and more recent ones like India Calling and Darna Mana Hai.

Ajay Vidyasagar of Star One says: "While consciously looking to broaden the programming bouquet, the channel will hook the 'upwardly mobile' crowd." And looking at the escalating TRPs of its shows, Star One is one happy channel.

"Nach Baliye has got us an average 6.5 TRP rating. In fact, we have beaten Zee across the regions and are neck-to-neck with Sony in Mumbai," exults Vidyasagar.

Another youth platform, MTV has announced the launch of its second daily serial Pyaar Vyaar and All That (PVAAT). Produced by Cinevistaas, the show will be aired every Monday to Thursday at 8 pm.

Set in Goa, the programme is a topical, fun-filled roller-coaster show that addresses the real issues that teenagers face in this day and age.

Vikram Raizada, vice president (Marketing and Digital), MTV Network, feels that it makes perfect sense for MTV to have fiction-based shows in its programming line-up. MTV plans to stick with "one fiction serial" presently and will air 40 episodes of PVAAT this season.

MTV's domestic rival Channel V, on the other hand, is content with reality shows. The channel will come out with V Mobile Singer, an interactive hunt on the wireless platform, and this will be led by Bappi Lahiri.

The aspirants need to dial 64676 from an Airtel mobile phone as registration and sing a Bappi Lahiri song. The phone lines would be open till December 15. The entries thus received will be judged by "Bappi da" and duly trained before the winner is selected by the "disco" music director.

If Star One has managed to turn itself into a "smart" channel, its elder cousin, Star News, which claims to have a viewership of over 20 million Indian homes, is eager to jump on the reality bandwagon.

Hoping to add a little spice to the erstwhile simple news programmes, the channel launched a wedding special reality series titled Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai.

Launched on November 15 and to be aired over a period of two weeks, the series will follow the bride who will also double up as anchor. Radhika Chaturvedi, the famous Star News anchor, will take the audiences for a tour right from the start of her wedding plans till her grihapravesh at the groom's home.

Shazi Zaman, deputy news director, Star News, is very excited about the series. "We had a similar wedding series last year too but the concept was on a wedding from an actual location. This year we have got one of our leading anchors, who is also getting married, to host and conduct the show."

But a news channel getting into the reality series concept? A wedding series making news?

Zaman's answer: "Social trends are evolving and so are the weddings. We see the series fitting our sense to present what's new in the society." Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai will showcase daily between 3 and 4 pm on weekdays and between 10 and 10.30 pm on weekends.

Sony Entertainment, on the other hand, is ready with a whole new bunch that includes game shows like Deal ya No Deal, its famous reality show Indian Idol-II and serials like Candy Floss and Ek Ladki Anjaani Si.

With Hum Paanch in its second season, Zee is looking to clinch the audiences in the weekend slot. Ashvini Yardi, programming head, Zee TV, says, "The serial is a Balaji offering and is an opportunity for us to reconnect with audiences."

Not to be left behind, the young Zee Smile is looking to score big with Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi Baatein, a show that peeks into the world of kids. Starting December 2 and to be hosted by Anupam Kher, the show will be aired every Friday at 8 pm.

Sahara One is hoping to hit bullseye with Kituu...Sabb Jaantii Hai that was launched on November 14 and will be aired at the primetime slot of 9.30 pm.

"Existing shows like Woh Rehne Waali Mahlon Ki, which is one of our top shows today, is about a princess who comes to meet life halfway, while our other show Hare Kkaanch ki Choodiyan raised a debate on whether marriage is about freedom or bondage. In our current show, Kituu...Sabb Jaantii Hai, we are looking at yet another facet of the Indian woman," adds Purnendu Bose, COO, SaharaOne Television.

Vying for primetime TRPs, which obviously mean more advertisers, the channels have geared up to tackle competition with their programming content.

While nobody is questioning the presence of traditional serials like Kyunki Saas Bhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki and other popular soaps which have maintained an average rating of 15, most channels are game for fresher concepts and tele-serials.