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Vashi2Panvel: Navi Mumbai: September 2: DTH (Door-to-home) television is slated to be the next big wave on television. The customers can choose from the bountiful of channel-bouquets and that too at quite a reasonable rate! There is a wide range of channels on television catering to people of varied age groups and brackets. While the convention is that the general entertainment channels have a stronghold as far as its popularity is concerned other niche channels are also soaring to popularity with their out-of-the-box programming. Hence, channels like Sabe TV, Sports channels, News Channels have also modified their style of programming to cater to their audience. But what is it that attracts the Navi Mumbai viewers? What programmes do they like to watch? By general consensus, the Saas-Bahu operas are a big no-no…

The youngsters choose from a wide range of niche channels right from Sports to Discovery depending upon their mood, time and of course the events of their interest! Shashank Shukla, 20, a Final Year Marine Engineering student from Tolani Maritime Institute, Pune is at Kharghar on a holiday spree and the most easily available time-pass for him is the television! Ask him what is it that interests him on television now-a-days and he says, “US Open.” Is that all? “That’s my first favourite. Besides, Laughter Challenge and The Great Indian Comedy Show are a good way to pass your time. They’re quite enjoyable. In fact, it relaxes you! Besides, I’m a sports lover so I also like to watch Formula 1 races that come on alternate Sundays. WWE RAW that comes on Mondays and Tuesdays is another favourite,” he says. While Shashank opines that comedy show can be quite relaxing, 20-something Divya Goyal who’s pursuing M Tech integrated from DY Patil College, Belapur feels that the comedy shows on television are quite disgusting and not worth sparing time for! So what are her favourites? “I like to watch ‘The lifestyle of Rich and Famous’ aired on VH1 is one of my favourites. Besides, I watch a lot of music channels. I have watched a few episodes of Sai Baba that is aired on Star Plus and I like it. ‘Interview with Karan Thapar’ on IBN is also my favourite.”

Deependra Patel, marketing executive with ICICI Bank, Lamington Road branch can’t find the time to watch TV. But when he’s at home during the weekends he prefers to watch Travel and Living. “I got this job 15-days back so before that I used to watch almost all the programmes of Travel and Living. I like the format of the programmes and all of them are quite interesting.” Aditya Dopatkar, Nerul based veterinary doctor seconds Patel’s views. An animal lover by profession and an environmentalist by intention Dopatkar enjoys watching Animal Planet, National Geographic and Discovery. “I like to be with nature hence I watch these channels. I’m completely against the ludicrous K-soaps on the television. They don’t show any reality and mirror the negative aspect of the society.”

Priyanka Kochhar, Chief Asst Director to Akbar Shaikh who makes short stories for the international market watches cartoons and Animal Planet when she has the time. “I’m also a fan of Instant Kichdi. I like their comic timing.” Sukal Mondal, New Panvel resident who works at a call center in Bandra doesn’t believe that television is a good time-pass. “I would rather prefer sleeping than watching TV. But during weekends, I like to watch CNBC. I also catch up with some old classic movies at times. I hardly watch Television,” he says.

So, if everybody is against the soap operas how is it that their TRPs never sink? Why are they still the talk of the town? Answers our homemakers! For them, the soaps operas still rule the roost! Be it the primetime Kyunki… Kahin Toh Hoga or the Star Dopahar programmes like Kumkum and Saarthi reel-life drama are still successful. Says Panvel resident Renuka Suresh Birje, “I watch Kumkum, Bhabhi, Kasauti and Saarthi on Star Plus. Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka and India Calling have a new format and different story line. It’s quite appealing. However, more than these serials I watch News channels. Amongst all these, 7-Star, a health channel is my favourite. It has programmes in healthy living, Ayurveda treatments, and the best doctors in India. It also teaches Yoga and pranayam which are quite useful.” Mrs. Shindu Shedke, another homemaker is a big Kyunki… fan. “I watch Kahin to Hoga and Kyunki… religiously. The reason why I like this programme is because I have been watching it since the very beginning. I really love Tulsi’s character. Gyan Baphna, a Vashi resident watches Vaidehi on Zee TV regularly. “I also like to watch Sa Re Ga Ma Pa…Li’l champs because I love the little kids singing! And, how can I forget Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai? I watch the repeat telecasts without fail!”

Swati Pandey