Mathematics before launching a new serial

It is indeed a tough job to be in the shoes of a programming head, for that matter in recent times, the shoe pinches even the channel’s marketing head. More so, when the TRPs of programs of that channel are sliding downwards and the channel has to fight to beat competition. Each time a new show is proclaimed one tries to figure out the mathematics that has gone into it to get it right. Sometimes they get it wrong too but the one who does not expect much have always got their mathematics right?

As I tried to understand this complex business of which show at what channel and what time and which production house and which actor/ actress and what type I am more and more convinced that you have to be a mathematician J to get it right. There has to be faultless calculation and the right permutation and combination. If you master the recipe that glues viewers to watch a particular show then the chances are you will get it right in the end.

This week saw two new shows –‘Raaz Pichle Janam Ka’ on NDTV Imagine and ‘Pratigya’ on Star Plus. RPJK is a reality show on past-life regression. Contestants are hypnotized and then quizzed about their past lives.

RPJK is produced by The Ideas Box, of Amar Chitra Katha Pvt Media now delves in a heavy-duty adult TV show. I must confess I was glued to the show last to lasr night. A homemaker from Bhopal Swati Singh, has a fear of flying. After past life degeneration she revealed that she was killed in an air-crash. The shocking was the fact that the aircraft that crashed had also carried nuclear physicist Homi Jehangir Bhabha.

After Rakhi Ka Swayamvar (… :D)and Pati, Patni aur Woh, NDTV Imagine has once again chosen interesting reality show(….I find Swayamwar and Pati Patni intresting only and only because of the great master piece Rakhi Sawant ).

I have two complaints for Razz Pichle Janam Ka- 1) the timing and the choice of the host. A show like this cannot be aired at 9.30 pm(….bcos Bigg Boss is aired on this time slot). The host Ravi Kissen was awkward, looked lost and over-dramatic(….like her melodramatic sister Rakhi Sawant). In yesterdays episode he wear Pink Shirt with Red tie a total misfit (… well I think that combination was invented by Bhav Aman Chawla, Splits Villa-2 contestant).

Coming to Pratigya, it is the story of an ordinary girl’s (…as usual, same gishi piti story)resolve to regain her respect. Got feedback from one of my friend. She said the show started well and managed to sustain interest throughout. Kunal Kapoor, the paan-chewing Angad who plays the eve teaser is worth a mention apart from the concept of Pratigya. Pooja Gor who played the lead role as Pratigya looks good. My friend said the first episode was praiseworthy but I think it’s too early to predict its fate. After Balika Vadhu shows with social messages are currently in fashion this one better be different if it has to help put Star back in the race.

Now, the crucial aspect of the time slots of both the shows. Raaz Pichle Janam Ka airs at 9.30 pm which means it is pitted against half of Bigg Boss(which airs from 9-10pm), Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (the driver show for Star) and the critically applauded Ladies Special on Sony which gets premature burial as it ends on Dec 11. Going by the interest generated in its launch episode Imagine may give the others some sleepless nights.

Pratigya which airs at 10.30 pm competes with the highly rated Colors show, Na Aana Is Des Laado and Aap ki Antara on Zee. 10.30pm has been a holy slot for Star(….remember Ektajis Kyuki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahut Thi), hope it works for them yet again.

Hope Star and Imagine got their mathematics right.