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TELEVISION PROGRAMME PATTERN
INTRODUCTION
As TV technology made rapid strides, the presentation styles and programme techniques also improved
to a great extent. With experience, the professionals in this relatively new medium worked out many options to
present the programme content. Thus many formats emerged. Selection of a format is as important as the
programme content itself. Certain types of content needs to be structured to effectively reach the audience and
to bring about the intended changes, effects or reactions.
The TV programme is the content of the television broadcast. The programme format is nothing but the
basic structure of the intended communication in television programming. The success of a communication
process in this medium largely depends on the selection of the format. Let us see the various formats that
are being used in TV programme production.
INTERVIEWS
Interview is the most commonly used format where an interviewer elicits responses from the
interviewee. An interview may be studio based or may be conducted on locations that matter to the topic or
the content being presented. Most of the interviews on TV networks are part of a series where a new celebrity or
a person of relevance is interviewed in every episode. The subject or the topic of the interview may vary based
on the intended target audience. Interviews involving prominent political personalities and celebrities like film
stars attract a wider audience. TV interviews may have different approaches and can be broadly categorized like
the opinion interviews and the personality interviews.
Opinion interviews are commonly used in newscasts, where the newscaster in the studio puts specific
questions related to a particular topic to elicit specific opinion, to make the audience understand the topic that
is being discussed and the news being given. The technique also authenticates the information that is being given
to the audience. The same happens when the reporter interviews people on location to get their version or
opinion about the topics that matter.
Interview technique is also used to throw more light on a personality. The studio interviews are popular
as they create an illusion of an audience participation. The interviewer and the interviewee normally sit face
to face in a relaxed atmosphere. The studio set is arranged according to the need and is always a multi-camera
production. A single camera is enough if the interview is location based.
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PANEL DICUSSION
Panel discussion is a popular format that is being used to discuss political issues and other topics of
relevance on current affairs programmes. Here a panel of 3 to 5 eminent personalities representing the different
schools of thought or ideologies discuss and debate the topics given. Normally an audience in the studio will
witness the discussion and an anchor facilities smooth flow of the arguments.
PLAYS
Many theatre productions are staged in a TV studio to reach the masses. Though the production
aspects of plays remain as they are to a great extent, minor technical and creative adjustments are made to
facilitate a production. Teleplays with those of the social themes are popular. Humorous plays also figure in many
channels. The lighting and the camera angles enhance teleplays and the TV audience gets more than what they see
live on the stage. Close-up shots also play an enhancing role.
MUSIC PROGRAMMES
Music is no longer confined to radio. The television channels now survive on a staple diet of music
programmes of all kinds. Programmes like the music talent contests, music related reality shows, countdowns,
chartbuster popular songs and others are immensely popular. Musical programmes normally involve live
audience. Lavish sets, one or two attractive anchor persons and competition format of the programme makes the
audience to eagerly watch the programmes and wait for the results. Film songs and the music videos constitute
the main content for countdown programmes. Pop music and the remix of the old popular film songs attract the
young and the old alike. Classical music also figures in channels like Doordarshan where often the presentation
is in the form of a performance.
NEWS MAGAZINES
Apart from the regular newscasts, news magazines also disseminate news and information in an effective
manner. In news magazines analysis takes a prominent position and news is dealt in detail. Interpretation and
visuals make the format attractive and presentable. As the live telecast is considered as the norm of the day,
this format appears to be loosing its usage.
QUIZ
Quiz is very popular among the children and the young viewers. Quiz programmes on TV has lead to
a new generation of professional quiz masters conducting many popular programmes. Quiz format creates
curiosity and interests among the viewers to gain knowledge. A knowledgeable quiz master anchors the
programme and the participants are divided into groups. The programme is divided into several interesting
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rounds. Production of quiz programmes need a lot of technical preparation.
A quiz programme is always a multi-camera production. As the participants are more and the teams
spread out on the stage, the lighting crew and the camerapersons face more challenges. The scheme of
lighting cues and the camera cues are worked out much before the production. Sometimes special and
elaborate graphics are needed to beautify or to facilitate smooth transition of the programme.
DOCUMENTARIES
Documentaries are often termed as the reality on reels. The format normally does not involve stage
managed content in its presentation. The angle of emotion is involved. It presents political, social or historical
subjects in a factual and informative manner.
SERIALS
A programme may be a one-off broadcast or more usually part of a periodically returning series.
Serializing is the most popular method of story telling in Indian television. A mega series is a multi-year run of
a programme and a single instance of a series is called an episode.
SELF INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMMES
Self instructional programmes intended to impart training and skills to the viewers. Topics may
range from health to 'do it yourself kind of programmes. Art and craft, cooking, simple repairs and other
topics always attract viewers.
TALK SHOWS
A talk show or a chat show is a TV programme where an audience comes together to discuss
various topics put forth by the talk show host. Often talk shows feature a panel of guests, usually
consisting of a group of people who are learned or who have a great experience in relation to whatever issue
is being discussed on the show for the episode. Political talk shows are very popular in India.
GAME SHOWS
A TV game show is a programme involving the members of the public or celebrities,
sometimes as part of a team, playing a game perhaps involving answering quiz questions, for
points or prizes. In some shows the contestants compete against each other or other teams, while
other shows involve contestants striving alone for a good outcome or high points. Entertainment is
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the buzz word of all game shows. These programmes attract young viewers particularly women.
Many game shows on Indian channels are mere reproduction of the western game show concepts.
Attractive prizes and the element of fun and thrill of winning them make the audience to sit glued
to the small screen.
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PHONE-IN PROGRAMMES
Phone-in progammes cover a variety of topics and subjects from health to film music.
This format is best utilised for live audience participation on dedicated telephone lines. In a typical
phone-in programme the viewer calls the expert or the anchor of the programme with specific
queries or requests. The communication here is facilitated through one way video and two way audio
link. Though the viewers like the phone-in programmes that are broadcast live, many of the
programmes are like the phone-in film music programmes are some time edited.
DRAMEDY
Dramedy is a neologism formed from a combination of the words drama and comedy to
describe a new genre of film and TV in which the lines separating them are increasingly blurred.
INFOMERCIAL
An infomercial is a TV commercial that is as long as a typical television programme.
They are also referred as the paid programming or promo-programmes and are often shown during
off-peak hours, such as late at night or early in the morning.
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