The baffling dichotomy between ratings and quality

Let me begin by asking a simple question that I fail to find any answer to…is there any connection between ratings and quality? The more I try to figure this one the more it foxes me. So in a bid to unearth some answers I try and catch up on most of the so-called top shows on air. But unfortunately they don’t hold my interest any longer than fifteen minutes. So how come they have such encouraging ratings? After having sampled many such top shows for the past few days I have come to the conclusion that all shows that are getting good ratings cannot be termed good in quality. I think it’s more about loyalty of viewers than impressive content. And the longer a show runs the better the chances for it to gather a loyal audience who will continue watching it more as a habit rather than for its ‘engrossing’ content. Let’s take a look at some of the top shows currently on air. Let me begin with Uttaran. The show that was no. 1 some time back has slid to no.2 giving way to yet another long saga, Balika Vadhu. Uttaran started off with an unusual story and showed great promise but it is now reduced to a very mediocre and dull show. The scenario is identical with Balika Vadhu. Guess both of them have more loyal viewers than any other show in that time slot. And that’s the reason why these shows are perched high on the TRP ladder currently. Also the fact that they are pitted against relatively newer shows that are currently on air at that time slot and audiences prefer watching what they are comfortable with than experiment with a fresh show. New shows need a lot more consistent viewership over a longer period for the numbers to come in. The same can be said for Pavitra Rishta. This one is still the top show for Zee despite its tedious story line. But the biggest disappointment is Sasural Genda Phool. The feel good show has completely lost its shine but still manages to remain amongst the top five shows on Star Plus. Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah may be the top-rated show on SAB but this one too has lost its plot. If the loss of Popatlal’s umbrella can be the focus of about 4 or 5 episodes nothing else needs be said on a show that was so well conceptualised and even executed. Now what is the reason that shows that began on a good note qualitatively start to slide down? Long drawn shows begin to show signs of mediocrity as they lack experimentation. Furthermore, too many shows are being launched within a short span and this too takes a toll on the quality quotient. But this need not translate into declining numbers as it may continue to have its share of loyal viewers. If we go back in time didn’t we see shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahun Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki, Kkusum staying on top despite the fact that they dished out mundane content. Whereas shows with differentiating content like Mukti Bandhan, Gulaal, Phulwa may not rake in the numbers but do have content to boast of. Sadly Gulaal is all set to draw curtains but for the moment Mukti Bandhan and Phulwa have been given a second lease of life. A producer who has had a successful run confesses that he is clueless about TRPs and how they function. However he adds that more than quality he would say popularity of a show is what links it to ratings. He explains that there is no logic why a show becomes popular as what audiences like has no logic. He goes on to say that it should be mandatory for a broadcaster to explain how the ratings game works. All he hopes for is that the system is transparent. Many conscientious creators of TV shows are of the opinion that if you have nothing more to add to the existing story line of the show it should be ended even if it is the number one show. If this is not done then you are cheating your audiences. Hence one has to have some guidelines which could lead to shows with finite endings. So this would in effect mean that a show is concluded regardless of the fact that it has good or bad ratings. Audiences too would learn to accept the fact that their favourite show would soon end which would avert any heart burn for a die hard viewer. As they say old habits die hard…but isn’t it about time that we got rid of bad habits as they can be injurious to health? Read more...