NEW DELHI: News channels have not only started exploring different shows in news and current affairs genre but they are seemingly increasing the content from production companies. And it even includes the likes of TV Today Network, which mainly rely on in-house content.
TV Today Network has tied up with Synergy Communications for content-based infotainment capsules for Aaj Tak and Headlines Today.
Confirming the development, Synergy director Anita Kaul Basu said that the production house is working on three distinct formats. "The content is basically driven by personalities, events, places and unusual things. Broadly, the capsules are fun facts which are brought to the screen wrapped in amazing graphics and information. The formats are under three different titles: Aakhir Hum Hain Hindustani; Did You Know and Googly," said Basu.
The capsules are on air on both the channels five times a day interspersed within the news wheel. Each capsule is of a 30-40 seconds duration and all three formats will run on the channels for one year.
"The capsules are an add on to general news and have not been attempted before on any other news channel. It projects a willingness on the part of the channel to give viewers a little extra over and above their current news," said Basu.
Synergy is also currently working on the Hindi version of the popular Fox TV quiz format - Challenge of the Child Geniuses for Star World. This is for the first time Synergy is working with Star World. Titled India's Child Genius (ICG) and positioned as the search for India's smartest kid, the one-hour weekly show will span 27 episodes. The show is expected to go on air in May during summer vacations this year.
"One of the major hurdle in pre-production stage of ICG is the selection procedure. Unlike countries such as the US; India hasn't got a fast track system to spot out exceptional and bright kids. So we have to work stringent guidelines in order to spot out talented kids from average ones," said Basu.