Attention shifts to TV this weekend

With only one big release in Race 2, it is TV channels that have more to offer this weekend

Hindi general entertainment channels have geared up for the long weekend beginning today with a line-up of big-budget films and fiction shows in the absence of major Bollywood releases. Barring Race 2, a sequel to the 2008 thriller of the same name that was directed by Abbas-Mastan, there are no other films that have the potential to draw audiences to theatres, say movie experts.

TV channels therefore have been quick to seize the opportunity with films such as Student of the Year, Son of Sardaar and Oh My God to be telecast on Sony Entertainment Television, Star Plus and UTV Movies respectively over the weekend.

Colors and Zee TV, on the other hand, are counting on their fiction shows to drive viewership.

For English movie aficionados there will be the premiere of the Avengers on Star Movies on January 26. But clearly the hot favourites will be the TV premieres of Student of the Year and Son of Sardaar - for which advertisers were charged a premium from Sony and Star respectively, according to media planners. Student of the Year will be telecast on January 26, while Son of Sardaar will premier on January 27 to avoid cannabalising viewership, media planners say.