Turner Broadcasting System decided to cut down investments into its Hindi general entertainment channel Imagine TV, which it had acquired from NDTV in 2010. April 12, 2012 was the last working day for the channel and then Imagine TV would be airing re-runs beginning April 13, 2012. This also applies to its international feed Imagine Dil Se.
Apparently, there were ‘talks’ which were unheard about this abrupt ending of Imagine TV. But it did not last long; people thought it to be just another rumor and did not pay any heed to it. But the declining ratings did not lie. Imagine TV has been consistently on a decline; it became worse after the launch of Life Ok since December 2011. So, somewhere, someone might have predicted about Imagine biding adieu soon!
Imagine TV has always given some different shows. For example, shows like Dwarkadheesh and Chandragupta Maurya. These shows did better in terms of content as well as ratings compared to other shows. I’m sure the loyal fans would have felt bad because the shows had to undergo sudden ending. For ardent fans, shows very much become a part of their daily routine. Imagine how you would feel, when you daily meet your best friend and suddenly he/she stops meeting you without any news? You have no clue, right? But as they say, “the show must go on”; we follow this, feel sad, depressed for a few days and then move on. Unfortunately, these 2 good shows also, were not able to save the sinking ship of Imagine TV.
I have quite a few friends who were working with the channel. I really feel sad for them. When we happened to talk, one of them mentioned, “nobody had imagined it’d shut like this; without any notice given to its employees.” And I was speechless. I did not know how to react! I feel miserable for the crew associated with the production houses; like technicians, light men, etc. How are they supposed to manage their own household? As we all know, one TV show practically employees 200 people. For the record, 200 households are run by one TV show. And now one whole channel has shut. There were more than 5 on-air shows on Imagine TV. Just imagine, 5 on-air shows shut, more than 1000 people are unemployed. This is a SHOCK!
A shock NOT only to me or you, but to everyone associated with the industry as well as the audience! Actors, producers and even directors are left wondering HOW such thing happened! Everyone is thinking in the same direction – “They should have given prior notice.” But nevertheless, it just happened! I’m proud to be a part of the industry where everybody comes together in crisis. Other channels and different production houses are trying their best to provide jobs to all those who NEED it.
This sudden ending of Imagine TV has made everyone think and everyone needs to buck up. Bhaiyya ratings ka he sab khel hai. Kab kya ho jaaye, kaunsa show bandh ho jaaye, koi IMAGINE nahi kar sakta…!! One week you do not get ratings and imagine channel decides to shut your show? It may happen, it may not! Just work best and get all your crazy, whacky ideas from nowhere and execute them in the best way to run your show.
Let’s pray and wish best for those who are unemployed and hope they get employed again, sooner than soon!
Most of us have grown up watching Doordarshan and few other DD channels as the only entertainment and news source. But as Television started getting popular and became a household necessity, the number of channels have increased drastically. These days its no more just televisi on, it’s satellite TV. Shows at your fingertips as they call it.
