Reality shows for children face uncertainty

The move to bar children below the age of 16 from participating in reality shows could bring down the curtains on many programmes that garner high TV ratings.

Programmes that are expected to take the hit include the popular dance contest on Sony ‘Boogie Woogie’, Zee’s popular annual singing talent show ‘Lil Champions Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’, Star’s ‘Voice of India Chote Ustaad’ which might be aired again and a bevy of similar programmes on regional channels like ETV Bangla’s ‘Dhoom Mache De’.
 

CHILD’S PLAY Major children’s reality programmes
Programme	TVR^
Boogie Woogie*	1.05
Sa Re Gama Lil Champs (2007)**	4.00
Star Voice of India Chote Ustaad (2008)	1.50
* One of the top 5 shows on Sony Entertainment **One of the top 5 shows on Zee ^Average TVRs

Several other programmes, like the children’s version of ‘Ek Se Bar Kar Ek’ on Zee TV, which are expected to hit the screens very soon, may also be in trouble.

Sony Entertainment Television Rohit Gupta president said: “We have togo through the mandate in detail and if need be, alter the format. We already cater to other groups in the show.”

Naved Jaffery, one of the brains behind ‘Boogie Woogie’, said, “The aim of our show is to bring out talent among children. We have people from the age group of 6 to 60 participating. Schools and studies are more stressful for kids these days. This has no logic.” ‘Boogie Woogie’ has been on air for over 10 years on Sony Entertainment Television.

Zee TV programming head Ajay Balwankar Pointed out: “We use kids to nurture their talent under strict guidelines and under parents’ supervision. There is no violation of child rights. However, if some norms on age are introduced, we will take up the matter with Information and Broadcasting Ministry and oppose such a move.”

Many fear that children viewership would come down due to the latest move. “Children will have no interest in watching family shows and this will bring viewership down,” said Jamnadas Magethia, promoter of Hats Off Productions, which makes programmes like ‘Ba Bahu and Baby’, a family serial.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) said on Wednesday it would prescribe the minimum age limit for participants to be over 16 years for reality shows, but added that it could be brought down to 12 years for group competitive shows. The recommendations would be forwarded to the ministry concerned.

The NCPCR has also suggested that cash awards to children should be avoided, while punitive action should be taken against broadcasters if children are subjected to any mental torture.