"SURVIVAL OF the fittest" is a famous phrase applied by Herbert Spencer in his Principles of Biology of 1864. In truth the phrase is a metaphor, not a scientific description, but it applies in our life, relating to competition for survival or predominance. Today in every area of life we see the implications of the term ‘survival of the fittest.’ Television channels also believe on the same principle and compete with each other to gain TRPs (Television Rating Point). Saas-bahu serials, tele-game shows and musical talent hunt shows are experiments earlier done by television channels for gaining popularity.

 

Yesterday Sahara group’s Filmy channel came up with a new concept of survival and launched a new show, Bollywood ka Boss. Conceived by the Synergy Adlabs Media Ltd, Bollywood ka Boss is a completely desi show and not inspired by any foreign show. Bollywood ka Boss has been developed under the supervision of KBC fame ‘Siddhartha Basu’ and it seems that the show is going to be the biggest entertainer of the year 2008.

 

It revolves completely around Bollywood movies, and the contestants will get a chance to win upto 50 lakh rupees. In every episode 10 Bollywood gurus will compete with each other and at the end of the 33 weeks, one amongst the participants will be declared the winner and conferred with the title of ‘Filmiyon ka Filmy’.

 

Reality shows have now become a major asset for TV channels to gain TRPs. Few years back when India’s first ever television game show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ was launched by Star Plus, it got immense response from viewers. It appealed to all the age groups and the show’s host Amitabh Bachchan also created a new identity for himself.

 

After Doordarshan’s ‘Ramayana’, ‘Mahabharata’, ‘KBC’ became the first programme of any satellite channel to get such response. Ramayana and Mahabharata earlier made history by getting huge viewership. In fact, at that time people across the country used to reserve the 9 am to 10 am schedule on Sunday especially for Ramayana and Mahabharata.

 

During the early 90s a major revolution came in the small screen by the introduction of Dish TV. Sony, Star and Zee were the main channels that made an entry through the satellite and in a short while became very popular in big cities. Serials mostly based on family plots were aired by these channels, but the viewers had become bored with the ever-lengthening dramas.

 

In the year 2000, Star Plus launched the Kaun Banega Crorepati, an Indian version of the popular quiz show, "Who Wants to be a Millionaire. " KBC’s host Amitabh Bachchan inspired millions of viewers with a charismatic voice and presentation style. Amitabh’s pure Hindi, ways of speaking and catchy phrases like ‘Lock kiya jaye’ were the highlights of the TV game show. KBC added a new chapter of success in the history of cable channels, which still exists. Later KBC 2 and KBC 3, hosted by Shahrukh Khan also came, but they couldn’t recreate the magic of KBC 1. On the lines of KBC, Sony launched the game show Chhappar Phad Ke with Govinda as its host and Zee TV came up with Sawaal Das Crore, but these could not match the charisma of KBC.