Game over

Small wonder that most channels have already lined up a variety of new programmes—dance reality shows,women-oriented soaps and shows for children. Danish Khan,Vice President-Marketing,SET,Sony,says. “Post-IPL,most people seek a newer set of programmes to return to. With a lot to choose from,the audiences should be entertained.” NDTV Imagine’s Desi Girl goes on air in May,as does Mr and Mrs Sharma on SAB. Other channels are following suit. Star Plus’ Zara Nachke Dikha and

SaharaOne’s Bitto will soon be beamed into our living rooms.

However,it’s probably Zee TV that’s leading the march here. It has announced Dance India Dance Li’l Masters,which will have children grooving to dance numbers,and two fiction shows—Mere Naam Karegi Roshan and Keshav Pandit from the Balaji Telefilms. Akash Chawla,marketing head,Zee TV,feels that post IPL is the best time to start a dance reality show for children,because it’s also time for summer vacation. “This is the best time to launch a children’s reality show,” he says. With Keshav Pandit,which is inspired by the best-selling series by a famous Hindi writer Ved Prakash Sharma,the channel is being ambitious too. “We are tackling a new genre here,” says Chawla. He,however,denies that the channel was hit by the IPL craze. “The launch of shows after IPL is just a coincidence. We started Do Saheliyaan just before the IPL and it has been doing very well.”

The channel that was least affected by Set Max’s dominance during the IPL season was its sister channel Sony. Khan,says,“Unlike other channels,Set Max is a major promotional platform for us. We used it to publicise Indian Idol 5.” Even then,Sony doesn’t seem to have taken the risk of starting any new shows in the last two months. Indian Idol 5 will go on the floors from April 26 while the fictional show Maan Rahe Tera Pitaa goes on air from April 27.

Colors,which has been enjoying a good run with their daily soaps,may have suffered a setback during the matches,but they are quick to cash in on the cricket craze. The channel will broadcast the IPL Awards soon after the tournament ends. “After the IPL season,we will telecast the IPL Awards which can be dubbed as the Oscars of the cricket world. IPL Awards will see superstars of Bollywood shake a leg alongside our heroes of the cricket pitch,” says Ashvini Yardi,programming head,Colors. Yet,like others Colors too held on to its plans of launching new reality shows till the tournament got over. “We plan to air our new dance talent hunt show for children called Chak Dhoom Dhoom and the second season of India’s Got Talent soon,” says Yardi.

The IPL might have dealt a blow to general programming,but many are apparently taking it sportingly. “There is no period of time in a year when you are not facing competition from another channel. There is no way you can avoid it,” says Chawla.