Indonesian television stations prepare for Ramadhan<\/p>\n
==============
\nLuas Samudera
\nContributor
\nJakarta
\n-------------<\/p>\n
The Muslim holy month of Ramadhan has always been a feast for
\ntelevision stations in Indonesia, the world's most populous
\nMuslim nation. Just as Muslims prepare to practice one of the
\nfundamental tenets of their religion and to revitalize their
\nfaith, so the television stations are equally geared up for the
\noccasion.<\/p>\n
It is a time when television stations introduce new programs
\nin an attempt to strengthen their hold on viewers. Programs on
\nlocal television stations look much like those in a traditional
\nMuslim state. Programs such as quizzes and local sinetron (soap
\nopera series) remain the same. But their content takes a big
\nturn. Suddenly, everybody appears so religious.<\/p>\n
Regular programs showing scantily-clad actors and actresses
\nsuch as Baywatch (RCTI), Silk Stalking (SCTV) and
\nVIP starring Pamela Anderson (Indosiar) have to bow to more
\nreligious programs. Programs which are seen as promoting adultery
\nand loose morals such as Beverly Hills (RCTI) and Melrose Place
\n(SCTV) must stay in the stations' libraries otherwise they may
\ndisturb the spirit of Ramadhan.<\/p>\n
Stations have learned quickly from the response of viewers.
\nSeveral years ago, SCTV was stormed by protests and had to
\napologize to their viewers after showing Wok with Yan, a cooking
\nprogram hosted by Canadian Martin Yan during Ramadhan. The host
\ndemonstrated a recipe using pork, a forbidden meat for Muslims,
\nas the main ingredient of the dish.<\/p>\n
But this year's programming trend among television stations is
\nreligiously-flavored drama series. The Ramadhan series have began
\nfar ahead of this year's holy month which is to start some time
\nin mid November.<\/p>\n
SCTV is screening a 60-episode one-hour drama Maha Pengasih
\n(The Most Merciful) from Oct. 8. RCTI will broadcast PadaMu ku
\nBersimpuh (For Thee I kneel) commencing on Oct. 21. This is one
\nday ahead of the start of Indosiar's 52-episode Doa Membawa
\nBerkah 2 (Prayers Bring Blessings 2), a second season of last
\nyear's drama Doa Membawa Berkah, starring Tamara Blezinksy and
\nAnjasmara.<\/p>\n
All of the above are slotted for 5 p.m., prior to the call for
\nthe twilight prayer which marks the end of the day-long fast.
\nMost eyes will obviously be focussed on the tube around that
\ntime, waiting for the call to prayer and listening to the daily
\nseven-minute Ramadhan sermon.<\/p>\n
The Ramadhan series was initiated by RCTI when in 1998 it
\naired Doaku Harapanku (My Prayer My Hope) featuring Krisdayanti,
\nand followed by Doaku Harapanku 2 in 1999. Looking at the success
\nof the program in terms of ratings and revenue, both Indosiar and
\nSCTV followed suit the following year. SCTV screened the not-so
\nsuccessful Ketabahan (Perseverance) and Indosiar screened Doa
\nMembawa Berkah (Prayer Brings Blessings) for its viewers.<\/p>\n
But why have the episodes run for a longer period? "Local
\nseries tend to be timeless. And this is a way to condition
\nviewers before Ramadhan when we have other interesting programs,"
\nIndosiar spokesman Gufroni Sakaril said.<\/p>\n
Aside from the series, Indosiar also screens Buka Bersama
\nZainuddin MZ (Breaking the Fast with Zainuddin MZ), variety
\nprogram Pasaur, Irama (Rhythm of) Ramadhan and a comedy show Tipu
\nDot-com.<\/p>\n
"We would like to develop a story whose climax will reach a
\npeak during Ramadhan," SCTV spokesman Budi Dharmawan said. SCTV
\nis to screen several special programs for the month such as two,
\ntwo-hour episodes of a mini serial, live variety show Saur Kita
\nwith comedian Eko Patrio and Ulfah Dwiyanthi, and a rerun of
\nEgyptian series Umi Kalsum, a story of a singer who "united the
\nArab worlds."<\/p>\n
"This is also a way to provide more religious content in
\nprograms prior to Ramadhan," Dharmawan added.<\/p>\n
It normally takes a couple of weeks for a station to attract
\nviewers' attention for a new local series. Therefore, it is
\nunderstandable that each station needs to make an earlier start.<\/p>\n
However, director of Doa Membawa Berkah 2 Achmad Yusuf as
\nquoted in Warta Kota daily said the first station to air a
\nRamadhan series does not necessarily garner the highest ratings
\nfor that particular time slot.<\/p>\n
"The best story will win the heart of viewers," Yusuf said.<\/p>\n
Director-cum-actor Dedy Mizwar said more important was each
\nstation's responsibility to continue the religious programs
\nbeyond the holy month.<\/p>\n
"Don't give the viewers the impression that after Ramadhan has
\ngone, so have the religious programs," Dedy Mizwar said. A
\nspecialist in religious series, Mizwar produced two talk shows
\nSajadah (Praying Mat) and Tafakur (Meditation) this year for TV7
\nowned by Gramedia group.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesian-television-stations-prepare-for-ramadhan-1447893297",
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