A new genre specific channel Epic was launched on November 19. SHAlINI SAKSENA speaks with Mahesh Samat, founder and MD, EPIC Television Networks Pvt ltd, who says that the TV industry is in a transition and that is good for everyone involved
What’s the need for a genre specific channelIJ
With the television getting digitised, there is plenty of scope for expansion. It has been seen that a major chunk of the content that is being aired on the small screen today is around history, mythology and folklore. We wanted to streamline this and present to the viewers in a unique manner. We want to tell stories in a way that showcase our rich culture.
Is there a specific target audience that you are looking atIJ
To say that we have a target audience would be incorrect. This is because in India, in majority of homes there is a single television so the audience has to be all inclusive. The focus of the content will be adult; this doesn’t mean that the children can’t watch them.
Will the content be reality basedIJ
No, most of our content is fiction. Siyaasat, Dharmakshetra, Dariba Diaries and Daanav Hunters are all fiction. But some shows will be non-fiction like Adrishya, (show about Indian spies) and Ekaant (story of abandoned places).
When you say fiction, are you looking at the usual saas-bahu dramaIJ
At present, we want to give our viewers options when it comes to entertainment. Children will love to watch some of our shows that only have entertainment but impart knowledge as well. So the spy show will have enough drama and thrill and at the same be informative.
You said it is a genre specific channel but it has a blend of everything. How does that workIJ
Though our shows have drama, thrill, entertainment, a mix of non-fiction and fiction, the basic premise — that all the shows will revolve around history, mythology and folklore theme — will not change. There won’t be a diversion from this theme. At best, we will have 13 or 26 episodes. If the creative teams feels that the story needs to be told in more episodes it will definitely be extended. But it will have limited episodes.
Where does the industry stand today, in terms of contentIJ
The television industry has shown tremendous potential. In the last few years, the kind of shows that have been aired show that even the audience is maturing and wants to see something different from the usual drama serials. The demand of watching something else is also growing. Some of the tele-series and shows with finite episodes have done well for themselves and this proves that the industry is transforming. This is good for everyone involved — channel, production houses and the viewers.