Karan Johar has shifted his show Koffee With Karan to OTT and so have others. How does OTT score over good old satellite channels when it comes to reality shows? This is what experts say…

Sheetal

After three year of hiatus, Koffee With Karan returns but there’s a catch! Unlike earlier seasons it has now shifted to OTT (Disney+Hotstar)or as KJo calls it, the National Digital.

In fact, after Bigg Boss OTT, also hosted by Karan Johar, many followed suit. From actor Ritesh Deshmukh stepping up for Case To Banta Hai, a comedy reality show on Amazon MiniTV to Vidyut Jammwal banking on his martial arts and Kalaripayattu skills to find India’s Ultimate Warrior on Discovery+ and not to forget Kangana Ranaut’s successful stint as a host in Lock Upp.

So, we dig deeper into this latest fascination of makers and Bollywood celebs for reality content on digital platforms.

Creatively bigger

“The main reason could be that OTT platforms are allowing people to experiment better than television space as it provides unique and varied content. On the contrary, content on television is mostly similar across different channels.” opines Chitra Vakil Sharma, producer of web series Tandoor.

That reminds us of original digital reality shows such as Indian Matchmaking (Netflix), Comicstaan (Amazon Prime Video) or Lock Upp on MX Player. The three have taken the format of reality show a step ahead and who knows just like Indian Matchmaking getting a nomination for the Emmys, reality shows will win one in the near future. Fingers crossed!

Chitra also addresses the other issue, “Digital means more creative freedom and lesser constraints. When a show is telecast on television, there’s time limit, for the show and for the audience too. When it comes to digital platforms, there’s convenience and ease of access, which makes OTT a preferable option.”

Censorship all the way

According to writer-director Payal Saxena, of Ishqiyoun fame, “OTT is more popular with the younger audience and reality shows mostly cater to them. However, viewership pattern has changed. My mother watched Big Boss hosted by Karan Johar on OTT. India has progressed in the last two decades, so have our choices.” And if digital platform is seen as an urban privilege, Chitra takes a stand on OTT, “Not everyone owns a television, but I believe everybody does have a smart phone and thus can access OTT platforms. So, in my opinion it won’t be compromised but enhanced. Not just reality shows, but almost everything that is on television today is available digitally. OTT is the future and it’s good that reality show producers are reaping the befits of it. The only change I would want both as a maker or a viewer is to release all the content across two to three digital platforms so that there is larger viewership for the makers and its pocket friendly for the viewers.” Lock Upp was a joint venture of MX Player and ALTBalaji.

The global angle

Producer Himanshoo A Pathak says, “If the global audience can’t relate to our fiction, at least the reality genre content based on singing, comedy and other talents, will definitely be welcomed and OTT makes it possible.” He adds, “Television does not have the scope for creative modifications for any reality show. It will be possible only on the digital space. Shows like Khatron Ke Khiladi, Roadies and Splitsvilla that have adult content could be shifted to OTT.” Remo D’Souza is also coming up with the next season of Dance + on OTT.

Affordable enough

“Mobile phones and internet are available at an affordable price and hence the shift. Soon, we will be seeing a bigger shift to OTT. Everyone will be shifting to a subscriber-based platform. Khatron Ke Khiladi is a show I will be rooting for to come on OTT,” says Shivankar Arora, who runs a YouTube channel.