The Indian television industry has changed its frames since ever widening of satellite channels. With the increase in number of satellite channels there has been rapid augmentation in a variety of programs telecasted on these channels. As the private channels appearing on the scene the consumption pattern of the viewers has immensely changed.
Long back to the Doordarshan era when the Ramayana, Buniyaad, Udaan and Chandrakanta were the major highlights of television were most awaited by the viewers. The feature film telecasted on Sundays evening were mostly viewed by all family members together on their seats, they were captivated by the magic displayed by the doordarshan channel. Later the DD Metro channel brought the daily soaps serials with a reflection of society well knitted in the story.
However the television industry has faced a diverse change in script, screenplay, concept or themes and story telling pattern with private channels coming to the front row like Zee Tv, Star Plus and Sony Entertainment television. Due to education, knowledge and societal changes the consumption pattern of the people has changed this equally has been facilitated by with the reach and spread of cable network urban to rural, home to home this makes viewers vulnerable to change and they had welcomed this change. Another factor for this change is their aesthetic and cognitive diet.
Earlier the programs were basically confined to religious and family threads. Sagas like “Kyuki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu thi”, “Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki”, have shown that how the Indian values are imbibed in the family as well as how the Indian traditions are inherited and followed by the family. However, the television industry has seen a paradigm shift these days the programs though they are on family notes but they are presented with different themes and sometimes with special highlights on social causes bringing awareness in the society using mass media as a tool, shows like “Balika Vadhu”, “Kashi”, “Na Ana Is Desh Meri Laado”, “Pratigya” dealt with child marriage, girls early marriage, domestic violence on women prevailing in the society.
The serial makers have always experimented with the various concepts. Television has also seen soaps focused on career and dreams, with something different styles television have gaga of “Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahi”, “Sanjeevni – a medical boon”, “Left Right Left”, “Radha Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Ke Dikhaegi”. Serial “Jassi jaissi koi nahi” has a great success story even the post and telegraph department could not lean back and step forward with a special stamp cover release with its protagonist. The serials like “Kity Party”, “Astitva”, were on urban based theme, whereas “Mohe Rang De” is on patriotic colour. With the advent of “Kaun Banega Crorepati” (KBC) the channels were inundated with game shows formula is a little bit of mental exercise and a monetary reward coming your way.
Experiments never stopped an exemplary of this is “Reality Shows” easily enumerated like from singing and dancing to danger and threat, from perfect bride, swamvar and shadi to parenting skills, like Indian Idol, Voice Of India, Chak Dhoom Dhoom, Nach Baliye, Khatron Ke Khiladi, Lux Perfect Bride, Rakhi Ka Swamvar, Rahul Mahajan’s wedding, Hum Tum Aur Who, Phew! The list goes on and on.
Albiet the concepts and themes have changed invariably, but it has a message coupled with entertainment, with a firm grip on an emotional chord and the viewers easily identifying themselves.