International Journal of Current Advanced Research

ISSN: O: 2319-6475, ISSN: P: 2319-6505,

6505, Impact Factor: 6.614
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Volume 9; Issue 06(A); June 2020;; Page No.22412-22416
No.
DOI: [Link]
//[Link]/10.24327/ijcar.2020.22416.4418
Research Article

TO STUDY AUDIENCES VIEW ABOUT REALITY TELEVISION SHOW: EMPIRICAL STUDY

Dr Frince C Thoma1 and Dr. Naresh K Patel2
1Assistant Professor, Center for Management Studies, Dharmsinh Desai University, Nadiad – 387 001, Gujarat State, India
2Professor and Dean, Faculty of Management and Information Sciences, Dharmsinh Desai University, Nadiad – 387 001,
Gujarat State, India
AR T IC L E I NF O AB ST RA CT
Purpose:: The Study is aimed to understand current trends about Reality Television Show
Article History: Objective: To determine perception of Audiences towards the Reality Shows
Received 15th March, 2020 Design/methodology/approach:: The paper is constructed on the basis of Descriptive
Received in revised form 7th research. A sample size was of 103 respondents who filled the questionnaire. A
April, 2020 questionnaire is created by using rank order scale and managed by using convenience
Accepted 13th May, 2020 sampling. The Researchers could add finding to the body of knowledge of research in
Published online 28th June, 2020 Reality Show which is otherwise
ise very limited in public domain.
Research Scope:: This study is confined only to online viewers. This study has been
Key words: conducted to analyses the current trends of Reality Television show. Furt
Further, it investigates
Reality Show, Audience, Perception, experience and preference of the respondents in Reality Show.
Preference. Practical implications: The findings can provide some significant scope for Directors,
Reviewers and Marketers in directions, reviews and promotions respectively.

Copyright©2020 Dr Frince C Thoma and Dr. Naresh K Patel. Patel This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution
License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work iis properly cited.

INTRODUCTION
With limited number of providers and limited number of
The reality programs that are available in today’s media serials, the quality of both was maintained at its best. "Sa Re
environment, which were once limited to crime-drama
crime series Ga Ma" was the only music show across all channels
and specials edited together from amateur videos and telecasted every Friday 10pm showing best of its talent from
surveillance footage, now encompass a widee range of formats, all over the country. Every week it was a treat to watch it as no
themes, and content areas. They are featured on every other channel provided with such a concept. Soon, thereafter,
broadcast network and most major cable stations. There are came much hyped "Indian Idol" with ggreat marketing and
obvious reasons for broadcasters’ enthusiasm. The shows are promotion to give India its first singing sensation. It was the
relatively inexpensive to produce, offer considerable first reality show on Indian television which gave a strong
schedulingg flexibility, and are less dependent on actors and competition to other channels. It was successful in gathering
writers than scripted programming. Reality programs have also many eyeballs for that time period. When this was hhappening
proven to be popular with the teen and young-adult
young audiences how come other channels could compromise on their TRPs?
that are prized by the industry. In fall of 2003, the top new
show on each of the major broadcast networks was a reality There came a series of musical reality shows running
program (Carter, 2003). The next spring, six of the top ten simultaneously on almost every channel. Each with its
shows among 18 to 49 year olds were reality programs promising outcomes presented differently. Initially, it seemed
(Schmuckler, 2004). The prevalence, popularity, and high to be a boon to Indian
an television as it attracted a lot of viewers.
profile of these shows have helped prompt researchers
rese to Later it became more of a rivalry among channels to increase
investigate how audiences’ respond to reality programs and to their TRPs than to provide quality of entertainment. Then
seek to explain the nature of the programs’ appeal. came some Reality shows with hardly any concept behind and
they were lost somewhere in th the mid despite of a good
Consider the scenario of the Indian television around ten-
ten beginning.
twelve years before. What comes to our mind when we think
of that time? Simplicity and yet pure entertainment was the This is how the revolution was marked by the reality shows.
main focus of Indian television of that time. Each channel But now the scenario is even more different. Having started
provider had something different to provide according to with musical shows, no side of entertainment is left untouched
variety of tastes of different people. in the present. Be it dance, comedy, anchoring or judging, you
name it and it is there in front of you. Season after season
*Corresponding author: Dr Frince C Thoma arrives without having the trace of the winners of the previous
Assistant Professor,
rofessor, Center for Management Studies, Dharmsinh season. Nobody knows the reality of these "Reality Shows".
Desai University, Nadiad – 387 001, Gujarat State, India
To Study Audiences View About Reality Television Show: Empirical Study

Most of the Indian television channels are telecast with plus and Indian Idol on Sony TV and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa on Zee
different categories of reality shows, like celebrity reality, TV it has been proven that the formats are huge success in
prank reality, talent hunts, makeovers, Indian Idol, Nach India. Channel and Producers get more from these reality
Baliye, MTV Roadies and Dating shows. Reality shows has shows because more people’s are interested to participate in
emerged as a new form of concept for the viewers with reality shows and also these shows makes history like Amul
including unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, Star Voice of India, Indian Idol and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa etc. Then
documentary on actual events, and featuring ordinary people there are the glitzy talent shows, mostly singing or dancing,
instead of professional celebrities. These realities shows means which make us all, feel that any other talent is worthless unless
to search for the talent like acting, singing and dancing. Most it can be taken to the stage.
of the reality shows have a voting system where general people
Literature review
select the most talented candidate.
According to Hall (2009), explored that Perceptions of the
Reality shows are came from USA. The mother of this concept
Authenticity of Reality Programs and their relationships to
is European countries have given sizeable contribution as well.
Audience Involvement, Enjoyment, and Perceived Learning
When in the year 1993 reality shows comes no one thought
and also whether viewer perceptions of reality programs
that the one day such reality shows would be life line of
authenticity were associated with audience involvement,
dipping of the TV channels. Reality Shows are fast replacing
enjoyment, and perceived learning. Four dimensions of
the daily ‘daughter-in-law versus mother-in-law’ soaps
perceived authenticity were identified has cast eccentricity,
television. The high TRPs of the reality shows made them the
representativeness, candidness, and producer manipulation.
number one choice of every possible television channel. From
Papacharissi and Mendelson (2007) stated that in exploratory
Talent-Hunt shows, to dance dramas, to acting- flicks, talk
study of Reality Appeal: Uses and Gratifications of Reality TV
shows, chat-shows cookery shows, art and craft shows,
Shows surveyed to reality TV viewers which revealed that (1)
astrology shows the list is endless. All such shows have
the most salient motives for watching reality TV were habitual
engulfed (flow over and swamp) most of the television space
pass time and reality entertainment (2) those who enjoyed
and they have a strong audience. Anything that strikes the
reality TV the most for its entertainment and relaxing value
emotional chord is an instant hit in our country.
also tended to perceive the meticulously edited and frequently
Reality shows have a strong reflection of the dreams, preplanned content of reality interaction as realistic (3) those
aspirations, struggle and emotions of the common-man. Hence externally controlled, with low mobility and low levels of
people tend to relate very strongly to the characters of such interpersonal interaction, were more likely to watch reality TV
shows. programming to fulfill voyeuristic and companionship needs.
Reiss and Wiltz (2004) investigated that “Why people watch
Reality shows are mostly family catchers. Grand-parents,
Reality TV” assessed the appeal of 16 basic motives using the
parents, children all watch such shows mostly together. The
Reiss Profile standardized instrument and rate that how much
formats of most show are such that they attract audience across
they watched and enjoyed various reality television shows.
age-groups and genders. Hence reality shows provide an ideal
The results suggested that the people who watched reality
platform to send a strong message to the entire family at one
television had above-average trait motivation to feel self-
go and make them to think and discuss together about shows
important and, to a lesser extent, vindicated, friendly, free of
or product. The formats of the reality shows have a built-in
morality, secure and romantic as compared with large
quick response – seeking factors from the audience.
normative samples.
The realities in India have opened floodgates for the marketers.
According to Ramli and Sharifah (2006), Basic desires and
Everyone is making a lot of money and no one seems to be
Reality television: factors influencing viewership of Akademi
complaining. After all it is giving gains to everyone. The
Fantasia in Malaysia have examined the functions of 16 basic
various television channels exploited the potential of reality
desires in influencing people to watch Akademi Fantasia.
shows and saw a huge surge in popularity. ‘Kaun Banega
Researchers also tried to discover whether demographic
Crorepati,’ India’s take on ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,’
characteristics like age, gender and education level played a
catapulted Star TV to the number one position, which it
role in making audience watch Akademi Fantasia. The study
enjoys. Similarly, Sony’s popularity saw a huge rise after it
concluded that the factors which influence viewership of
launched Indian Idol, an adaptation of a hit British reality
Akademi Fantasia are the desire for social contact, curiosity,
show. It was reality television that wrote the destiny
tranquility and social status. These desires are related to
of television channel Star [Link] two reality shows, The
motivations to have fun, socialize, wants new and exciting
Great Indian Laughter Challenge and Nach Baliye, are to a
experiences, likes to watch television, and Akademi Fantasia
great extent responsible for the popularity that Star One has
seemingly provides the best choice for them. Lad (2005)
got.
studied that viewers of reality television who are addicted to
Reality television is a win-win situation for everyone, be it these daily programs often get deeply involved in any
contestants, channels or the viewers. The high TRPs that these situation. Often, certain reality television shows are based on
shows command explain the advantage they have for television topics that have no thought process or concepts. The audience
channels. For the viewers, they are refreshing change from the thus gets hooked on to TV shows, which do not really have
sleepy Saas-Bahu dramas. The biggest gainers, however, are any intelligent concept. Cohen (2007) explored patterns of
the contestants who are provided with the right platform to viewing of reality shows and tries to explain the willingness to
showcase their talent. There is a lot of untapped talent in our participate in such shows. The results of a survey of 600 Israeli
country and these shows by extending their reach to small adults reveal a relatively high level of viewing of reality shows
cities provide an opportunity to bring out this hidden talent. and a lower, but not insignificant, level of willingness to
Kaun Banega Crorepati , Amul Star Voice of India on Star participate in such shows. Though demographic variables
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International Journal of Current Advanced Research Vol 9, Issue 06(A), pp 22412-22416, June 2020
provide some insight into viewing and willingness to reality shows, a whole lot of thinking and planning goes on
participate, positive attitudes and parasocial relationship with behind these shows in order to turn them into a lucrative
favourite reality participants are stronger predictors of these investment for the producers. Tewari (2009) claimed that there
tendencies. Deery (2004) stated that Reality TV as has been much debate about reality TV shows and whether
Advertainment and cited that reality TV has become a key site they are ethical or not, but no one has been able to completely
for experiments and entertainment programming, and hence justify themselves. Reality television is a win-win situation for
provides insights into current developments in commercial everyone, be it contestants, channels or the viewers. The high
culture. Focusing on the genre’s exchange value, research TRPs that these shows command explains the advantage they
paper examines Reality TV’s commodification of various have for television channels. For the viewers, they are
aspects of experience from privacy to diversity and, even more refreshing change from the somnolent Saas-Bahu dramas. The
pragmatically, its development as a rich advertising vehicle for biggest gainers, however, are the contestants who are provided
the digital era. Scott and Hogg (2004) claimed that The Effects with the right platform to showcase their talent. There is a lot
on College-Age Students reveal the shows will continue to add of untapped talent in country and these shows by extending
more twists to the plot, to increased ratings, to lower their reach to small cities provide an opportunity to bring out
production costs and to captivate audiences. To better this hidden talent.
understand the relationship to our society, the study examines
Study Objective
the impact of Reality TV on rural mid-western college
students. Results of data analysis revealed that demographics To determine perception of Audiences towards the Reality
do contribute to how mediated messages are perceived by the Shows
students. Patino, Velitchka, Kaltcheva and Smith (2011) adds
that Appeal of Reality Television for Teen and Pre-Teen METHODOLOGY
Audiences - The Power of Connectedness and Psycho Marketing Research is the process of collecting and analyzing
Demographics mentioned that with the continued popularity of and ultimately arrives at certain conclusion. Research
reality television among young viewers, it is vital to identify comprises of defining and redefining problems, formulating
pre-teen and teen audiences who not only watch a reality hypothesis, or suggesting solutions, collecting, organizing, and
program but have a high level of connectedness to it. evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusions.
Henry (2011) stated in Celebrity verses Non-celebrity view of The main aim of the research is to find out the truth which is
parasocial relationships with Characters in reality-based hidden and which has not been discovered as yet. Market
television programs mentioned that research of parasocial analysis has become an integral tool of business policies these
relationships suggests audiences engage in one-sided days. Research, thus replaces intuitive business decisions by
relationships with their favourite personae in the media. Study more logical and scientific decisions.
attempts to explore two types of reality stars: those who had Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the
fame before being on reality television and those who have research problem. It may be understood as a science of
fame because of the show. Trendiya (2009) stated that main studying how research is done scientifically. In it studied
target age group of these reality shows is 18 -25 yrs old that’s various steps that are adopted by a researcher in studying
young generation of India which comprises around 65% of the research problem along with the logic behind them. The
total India population. Definitely aiming them would be researcher should not only know how to develop certain
profitable. Anyway these games/shows are based on voting via indices or tests, how to calculate chi-square etc.
SMS which is a proven big money making tactics apart from
collecting the advertisement revenues. Seeing the demand for Research Process
such shows, MTV has almost stopped playing music and has Defining the problem and research objectives
completely become RTV (Reality TV) with shows like On the
Job (about unusual jobs), Splits villa (dating based show), Fast Develop the research plan
& Gorgeous, Stunt Mania (bike and adventure based),
Connected (about twins), Teen Diva (beauty based) and many Collect the information
more. The shows like Big Boss, Emotional Atyachar,
Splilsvilla, Love Lock-up etc are examples of our growing lust Analyze the information
for intrusion in private lives of people and for that matter, even
voyeurism. Scripted jokes, crying for no reason, sensational Present the findings
twists, over-whelming emotions and actions, and trivialised
quarrels have become an integral part of reality shows Make the decision
(Parniland Yodha 2011). According to Krishnan (2010),
stated that what does a viewer gets from these shows. What Research Design
starts as a curiosity about the show can turn into a complete In fact, a major difference between exploratory and descriptive
addiction. Saurav (2010) had explored the others than playing research is that descriptive research is characterized by the
with the future of the contestants, these shows has also excel in prior formulation of specific hypotheses. The paper is
flirting with the sentiments of the public. Besides all this, constructed on the basis of Descriptive research. Thus, the
reality shows have a huge potential to exploit the TRP. The information needed is clearly defined. As a result, descriptive
number of advertisements they bring in, the amount of research is preplanned and structured. It is typically based on
viewership associated with them and the enormous popularity representative samples. A formal research design specifies the
they enjoy especially among the masses in smaller towns is methods for selecting the sources of information and for
both excellent and amazing. Therefore although most of us collecting data from those sources. A descriptive design
simply see the glitz and the glamour associated with these

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To Study Audiences View About Reality Television Show: Empirical Study

requires a clear specification of the who, what, when, where, etc.

why and way (the six Ws) of the research. Costume: All including judge, participants and anchor of
Sample size designers dress. Viewers watch Reality Show to know the
fashion trend which may help them in purchasing costume for
A sample size was of 103 respondents who filled the
them.
questionnaire.
Genre: The script is made very juicy and spicy to lure
Sampling approach
viewers’ attention. Sometimes controversies are created
The sampling approach used was convenience sampling. The because of such Genre.
Questionnaire was constructed and filled through on-line and
Song: The viewers are lured by the title song of the Reality
off-line. According to Patton (2003), “Strategically select as
Show and hence watch it on regular basis.
case that is pertinent to the objective of the study and that will
allow the subject to be investigated fully”. Sampling strategies Judge: The viewers are likely to watch the show if they like
like information rich, convenience and criterion are usually the judge. The judge can be a choreographer, playback singer,
applied in the selection of case. senior actress or actor, even people support or any other
celebrities of recent past etc.
Data collection
Show time: Viewers watch Reality Show because it’s been
The data has collected in the form of Primary Source
shown at a particular time convenient to them. If it’s shown in
(structured Questionnaire) and from Secondary Sources.
the noon time, then housewives will find it convenient to
Secondary sources via through different websites, newspapers,
watch such shows and so on with adult show etc
magazines, journals.
Channel: The producers will produce the Reality Show on a
Scope of the Study
channel which is watched by mass. If the show is placed on
This study is confined only to online viewers. This study has Channel [V], then it will grab attention of the youth. If it’s
been conducted to analyze the current trends of Reality placed on Star TV, then it’s made for all.
Television show. Further, it investigates experience and
Anchor: Viewers watch Reality Shows because of Anchor’s
preference of the respondents in Reality Show.
characteristics like funny, intelligent, etc.
Relationship between Dependent variable and Independent
Place: Reality Talent Show is watched because viewers want
variables
to see new places or unknown territory etc. Sometimes they
Independents Variables watch because they are interested in the activities of
participants.
1. Participants
2. Review Guest Appearance: The viewers are inclined towards the
3. Acting Reality Show when they come across the advertisement
4. Dialogue showing that there will be guest appearance of celebrities in
5. Song the next episode.
6. Costume
Shelf Life: The Shelf life of show will speak about itself
7. Judge
because longevity of show can only possible if show carry bare
8. Show Time
minimum level of rating. The shelf life of show will determine
9. Anchor
about commercial success of program.
10. Channel
11. Guest appearance Task: Task will help to watch the Reality Show. Some
12. Sponsors impossible task, some hard task, some intelligence task and
13. Task many more task can help viewers to watch the reality show.
14. Place
Sponsors: All the talk Reality Show are sponsored by some or
15. Shelf Life
other organization. That help viewers to decide about watching
16. Genre
the show may not be directly but indirectly.
Dependent Variable: Watching the Reality Show
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Participants: The Participants of the Reality Show influences
the perception of the viewers. The Reality Show can be Talent Out of different variables that taken in to consideration for
Show, Talk Show, Stunt Show, Dating Show, and Comedy study as influential factor to watch Reality TV show in
Show. ascending (rank) order are as follow 1. Task 2. Acting 3. Genre
4. Participants 5. Dialogue 6. Song 7. Anchor 8. Channel 9.
Review: The viewers will be affected by the positive and Show time 10. Review 11. Costume 12. Judge 13. Shelf –life
negative reviews of participants, judges, anchors and the 14. Guest appearance 15. Place 16. Sponsor. The respondents
overall show from the Experts or opinion Leaders. were give highest rating to Task given in the Reality Show and
Acting: Viewers are interested in the acting of the anchor and least rating to Sponsors who sponsored the event for viewing
the participants. the Reality show. Most of the respondents whom researchers
reached are in the view that they watching the Reality Show
Dialogue: The dialogue include the punch line of the Reality mostly because of the Task they assigned, Acting they
Show and its participants. It also includes the delivery of perform, Genre of the show, Participants itself because they
speech, comments by judge, and their rationality of thinking entertain them. The least affecting variables or factors like

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International Journal of Current Advanced Research Vol 9, Issue 06(A), pp 22412-22416, June 2020
Sponsors who are sponsored the show, Place where shooting 4. Ramli Mohamed and SharifahNadiah Syed Mukhiar
are taking place or the Guest appearance of the shows. The (2006), “Basic desires and reality television: factors
Researchers could add finding to the body of knowledge of influencing viewership of Akademi Fantasia in
research in Reality Show which is otherwise very limited in Malaysia” media in Asia: Aspirations, Choices and
public domain. realities.
5. Jonathan Cohen (2007), “Attitudes toward viewing and
Limitations
participating in Reality Shows in Israel” Department of
Again this study does not immune to some limitations like list Communication, University of Haifa, Proceedings of the
of variables or numbers of variables because they are not New York State Communication Association.
inclusive in nature and still some variables can be added or 6. June Deery (2004), "Reality TV as advertainment”
deleted in the course of another study. The result is analyzed Rensselar Polytechnic institute, popular communication,
on certain set of respondents like who are similar in nature and 2(1), pp 1-20
behavior; it may possible result can vary in term of another 7. Cynthia E Scott and Nanette Hogg (2004), “The Effects
Geographic segmentation, Demographic segmentation, on College-Age Students” University of Nebraska at
Psychographic segmentation etc. A study of research in due Kearney
time may also change the entire findings. That will add another 8. Anthony Patino, Velitchka D. Kaltcheva and Michael F.
dimension to the result. Smith (2011), “The Appeal of Reality Television for
Teen and Pre-Teen Audiences - The Power of
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How to cite this article:

Dr Frince C Thoma and Dr. Naresh K Patel (2020) 'To Study Audiences View About Reality Television Show: Empirical
Study', International Journal of Current Advanced Research, 09(06), pp. 22412-22416.
DOI: [Link] 22416.4418

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