21 October,2010 07:13 AM IST | | Varun Singh
What are you watching on prime time television: Bigg Boss or Big B's KBC?
If it is the fourth edition of KBC, then both the producers and viewers of the show have something to thank the Shiv Sena for, or so the Sena says.
After the Sena led a series of protests against Bigg Boss, the reality show hosted by Salman Khan, for getting Pakistani artistes on the show, television audience measurement (TAM) ratings show that KBC 4 has scored over Bigg Boss in viewership (see box).
After Shiv Sena expressed its displeasure with reality show Bigg Boss having Pakistani participants, TV ratings show it has been pipped to the second spot by KBC 4
Naturally, the Sena claims that part of the credit redounds to it. Said Sena spokesperson Bharat Kumar Raut, "It's a triumph for the Sena.
But above all, it's a victory of nationalism. People used to watch Bigg Boss, but when they got something better quality wise, they shifted to it."
The Sena even got Colors, the channel that airs Bigg Boss, blocked from cable operators' bouquet of channels for a while.
And now, as the ratings show, the Amitabh Bachchan-hosted KBC 4 has dethroned all reality shows currently on air, including Bigg Boss.
When asked why they called a ceasefire on their protest against Bigg Boss, Raut said, "We did our job. Now it's the job of viewers to decide and they have decided on it. Even the channel has apologised to Sena."
Viewer's view
Paresh Ingle, who lives in Andheri, and watches both the shows claims that Bigg Boss is engaging but KBC is far more interesting.
"There are not many interesting characters to catch my interest on Bigg Boss. But with KBC, it's interesting and informative. It enhances knowledge ," said Ingle.
The Ratings
TAM ratings for reality TV opening episodes
Big B's KBC 4:u00a0 6.2
Sallu's Bigg Boss: 4.5
Akki's Master Chef: 2.6.
