The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Unobtrusive but quite popular Out of the box

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Monday, Sep 21, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Unobtrusive but quite popular Out of the box

Steady climb: Programmes on astrology and devotion have considerable following but they need to be repackaged.

While entertainment in the form of song and dance, game and reality show and fictitious tales that are as old as hills remain in focus for channels as major sellers, there is other content on television that while not creating much ripples establishes a certain viewership of its own.

Low-cost

Incidentally, this programming costs a small fraction of what is spent on glitzy sets, huge fee for anchors, multiple cameras and lots of technical and other wizardry. Silent but boasting considerable following on different channels are programmes on health, astrology and devotional packaging.

Though not publicised as others, they are as popular as others including the cookery and beauty shows too.

‘Bhakti Samacharam’ apart from ‘Prarthana and Dhyanodayam’ continue to keep the viewers engrossed on Zee Telugu, ‘Theertha Yatra’ on ETV is not missed by many.

Maa TV has its own programming ‘Maa Punyakshetralu’ and ‘Maa Grama Devathalu’ while Sitara apart from others did win viewers with astrology-based ‘Sitara Balam’.

Good packaging

Gemini News does come up with some good packaging in its ‘Gopuram’ too.

These are executed with limited budget, most being studio-based, but channels could perhaps do well to pay more attention and package them better.

In some of these, certain monotony has set in over the years and a couple of channels do concede this and hasten to add that they are looking at the possibility of repackaging them with new presentation styles.

Surely, that could do well for these programming and usher in new elements.

Refreshing

However, there is some refreshing news for viewers this festival season as popular news anchor Pragati is seen presenting special Navaratri package on Maa.

T.LALITH SINGH

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