Rewriting History

The show — which premiered on October 9 on the recently-launched History channel — represents the fresh approach that the channel wishes to lend to history. “We’re attempting to redefine the term ‘history’ with our new approach to factual entertainment. We didn’t want to go the route of ‘recreating the era’ and having documentary-style shows. Therefore,our programming uses the reality show format to explore history,” said Ajay Chacko,President,A+E Networks & TV 18 JV. Chacko is aware that the channel’s name brings with it a certain baggage — it should not to be confused with the channel Fox History,which is also on air. “But the content will establish our identity,” he insists.

The shows currently on air include Ice Road Truckers and Sliced!,which has the hosts split everything from car toys to machines into half in order to unravel what lies inside. Swamp People follows the lives of families that live in the world’s biggest swamp during the 30-day alligator-hunting period,while Shockwave compiles video footage and eyewitness accounts related to the headline-making events to educate the viewer as to what really happened.

Chacko points out that according to the data available,the largest target audience in India is the youth. “The idea is to generate ‘infotainment’ that blends adventure,intrigue and history. We didn’t wish to alienate audience with seemingly-intellectual content that sounds like history lessons,” he adds. This also explains why the channel chose Salman Khan as their brand ambassador and offers programmes in six languages: English,Hindi,Marathi,Bengali,Tamil and Telugu.

The approach towards factual entertainment seems to have struck a chord. DJ and reality TV show host Nikhil Chinappa recounts how he used to fear history as a subject but was always intrigued by what he unravelled on his own during trips to places of historical significance. “It is the approach that makes all the difference,” he says.

As of now,however,the channel has no Indian content and the schedule comprises the network’s international productions. However,Chacko does not fear alienation from the audience. “One of the top-ranking factual entertainment shows in India is Man Vs Wild. The foreign location or host do not affect its popularity.” At the same time,he does admit that the channel is currently in the pre-production phase for two shows based in India.