Talk about ‘real’ competition!

For them, music doesn’t make the world go round. At least not as fast as they’d like it. With reality shows coming into their own, even music channels are banking on them to do for them what Enrique Iglesias couldn’t. Both Channel V and MTV have lined up a slew of reality shows with edgy themes to hook their young viewers.

Prem Kamath, the general manager of Channel V, who announced as many as three new shows — Exhausted, Kidnap and Dare 2  Date — says if the concept works, what’s the harm.

“This is not about doing reality shows but about the kind of concept we have. We are open to ideas and we try to understand whether a particular concept is best delivered through either reality or user-friendly format. In the end, it’s all about the concept.”
Echoing the sentiment, Ashish Patil, the general manager of MTV adds that the USP will be original ideas that are suitably Indianised.

“The thrust is to have homegrown concepts as most of the reality shows we have on TV are borrowed from Western shows. Once you find the right content mixed with Indian sensibilities, it has to click,” says Patil, who will be launching a new music-based show called Rock On.

It’s an open field now. Bosses of general entertainment channels reveal that though reality-based content is much more expensive than fiction shows, they offer bang for the buck. “Reality shows have done really well for our channel,” says Ajay Bhalwankar, programming head of Zee.

“Be it Dance India Dance or the SaReGaMaPa Lil’ Champs, we have been getting consistently good ratings. In terms of cost, reality shows usually work out more expensive than soaps. Li’l Champs cost a lot, but thankfully, our reality shows have always paid off very well.”

After the success of Rakhi Ka Swayamvar, even NDTV Imagine is gunning for more. Nikhil Madhok, VP, marketing, of NDTV Imagine, says their formula is adapting hit international formats that lend themselves to an Indian audience.

“Adaptations can really work but yes, you have to spot the right kind of shows to adapt. Many of their shows have no connect with Indian masses,” says Madhok, who has great hopes from their next reality show Pati, Patni Aur Woh, an adaptation of Baby Borrowers.

Reality shows to look out for
Pati, Patni Aur Woh
Five celebrity couples spend an entire month in a closed environment, monitored by cameras 24X7 to capture their parenting skills with a borrowed baby.

Dare 2 Date
This is an anti-romance, anti-mush series which will see two people with contrasting ideas about their perfect match coming together.

Exhausted
The show has eight contestants trying to outdo each other, performing gruelling tasks while being sleep deprived for 48 hours.
 
Kidnap
A romance-adventure-reality game show. The girlfriend is ‘kidnapped’ and the boyfriend has to go around the city solving clues to reach and rescue her.

Rock On
A desi rock show featuring 50 talented artists with winners in individual categories coming together to form a new band. The winners get an album deal, a music video and a mega concert.

Perfect Bride
Ten eligible girls interact with five guys as they try to find a groom for themselves. Only one of the girls will be the ‘perfect bride’. They will be given tasks to test their compatibility with the guys on the show.