Marketing

Research

“Impact of Reality and Talent

shows on Society”
 Talent and Reality Shows
Objective: Impact of reality and talent shows on society

Is the era of soaps and family dramas on television coming to an end?

Over the years the MTV, Sony TV, Star Plus, Zee TV, Colors, NDTV Imagine etc and
practically every other television company, radio station, talk show host and program controller,
has recognized that talent shows and reality shows attract viewers and make money. The public
want to see and hear something different... original... unusual... in fact the more outrageous,
terrible or funny the performance, the better the ratings. The reason for the success of reality and
talent show is that we Indians are high on the emotional quotient and every Indian (even the
most practical one) has an emotional soul hidden somewhere. The success of reality shows in
India can be attributed to a great extent to this weakness of ours. Apart from this, the relief that
these shows provide from the saas-bahu soaps, which currently dominate television, is another
reason for their immense popularity.
Talent shows are the television programs by various TV channels where they select few fresh
talents from the participated candidates, trained them and arrange a competition between
selected candidates and the whole process is being aired on Television. The Main purpose
behind the Talent shows is that to find out the hidden talent among the society, while the reality
show purpose is to bring the reality in front of audience basically for an entertainment. The
success of few talent shows inspires Producers to invest their money and earn a return. While at
the end of the broadcasters, there is a good chance to become in lime light by the success of
these shows and earn lots of money through advertisements, TRP (viewership rating).
A reality show is not to be confused with a documentary, in which the subjects are asked to
ignore the cameras and behave naturally. While reality shows are the unscripted parts and there
is no guidance to participants how to behave in front of camera and behave it as much as
possible naturally. The biggest gainers, however, are the contestants who are provided with the
right platform to showcase their talent. There is a lot of untapped talent in our country and these
shows by extending their reach to small cities provide an opportunity to bring out this hidden
talent. A chef from Chamba managed to reach the final round in Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.
Benefits of Reality shows:

1. Reality shows offer a respite from everyday pressures by diverting out attention away
from our problems and focusing on the problems of others.( Relaxing and entertaining
therapy)

2. Young Adults Learn from Reality shows about dating, family relations, friendships and
dealing with sensitive issues.
 3. Adaptability: Reality shows that a person has to deal with numerous people under limited
conditions and adjust themselves according to the environment. E.g. In a big boss (reality
show on Sony TV) a group of people has to adjust among themselves under the limited
conditions, it involves too much coordination and adaptation to survive.

4. Creating awareness regarding the health – Biggest loser is a reality show telecast on
Sahara one for obese people to lose their weight and fat and win a competition.

5. Bring out the Hidden talent from the country and get recognized in the society.

Criticism

1. Influenced by corporate profit motive.

2. Biaseness of people for selecting the candidate – As many reality shows organized where
the decision for selecting the candidate is in the hand of the country population so the
population shows the biasedness for selecting the candidate if he or she is belong to their
state or religion.

3. Racism – As the issue of racism is once again come in society due to these shows. E.g. in
Big brother Shilpa shetty was racially commented by Jade goody during the show which
hurts the Indian Society.

4. No proper guidelines and rules regarding security for participants – As these shows
perform various thrilling, breathtaking moment if a participant has taken a wrong step he
may loss his life. So producer need to take all the security measures to save the
participant life.

5. Vulgarity – IS JUNGLE SE MUJHE BACHAO show telecast the bathing scene of

actress in swimsuit in front of camera which is basically hurting the Indian tradition and
the children’s who are watching such kind of shows because of their favorite actor/
actress.

Futures of Reality Shows:

Despite all this, at the end reality is that such shows enjoy great popularity among the audience.
Reality television is a ray of hope for the ordinary people. It not only gives them the courage to
dream but also the assistance to turn their dreams into reality. It is difficult to say whether reality
shows are a phase or they are here to stay, but we wish they stayed for long so that more and
more Qazis and Abhijeet Sawants get a chance to live their dreams.

Famous reality and talent shows in India are as MTV Roadies, Splits villa, Get and gorgeous Big
Boss, KBC, Nach Baliye, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Voice of India (VOI), Little Champs VOI, Indian
Idol, and India’s got Talents, Is Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao, Sach ka Samna.
Famous International Reality and Talent Shows are as Big Brother, American Idol.