All those who have been complaining and frowning over the trivialisation, tabloidisation of news, especially by news channels, should be prepared to make faces of resentment and disagreement.

Dispelling all complains of degraded and unethical news, trivialisation of news and blurring line between news and entertainment channels, Rajat Sharma’s India TV has been given a nod by Indian viewers.

According to TAM’s Peoplemeter data, India TV has bagged 17.4 per cent of the viewers above 15 years in cable and satellite TV homes in Hindi speaking markets. India TV is second only to Aaj Tak which commanded 21.9 per cent.

India TV has been able to beat Aaj Tak in average weekly time spent on channels. India TV is watched for average 40 minutes whereas Aaj Tak for just 34 minutes.

India TV has been banking on sensationalisation, entertainment, celebrities, stings, horror- and sex-based programmes. It has been severely criticised in journalistic circles. In many newsrooms, admitting to being a regular viewer of India TV may bring lot of embarrassment and make the person a fun-topic.

It is a general trend that news channels are adopting more of tabloidisation and turning into entertainment channels.

Ever since the news channels turned 24-7, there is a huge void which need to be filled. It is almost impossible to find real news to fill the entire space. But the space can’t be left void. So news is being created and non-news programmes included.

News channels are business not charity. The investors want maximum profits possible. Only way to have more profits is to get more ad revenues which is possible only through high viewership. Sensationalisation of news, stings, entertaining news, horror and sex-based programmes are part of the viewership increasing tactics.

Every news person knows what’s ethical and what’s not. But all are blinded by currency notes. With viewers accepting the trivial content greedily, the trend doesn’t seem to stop any soon. A reversal can be witnessed only when viewers mature. Till then wait patiently. What else?

Source: Business Standard
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