Quizzes are hot ticket in intense TV ratings war<\/p>\n
By Listiana Operananta and Ivy Susanti<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Over the past few years, local TV stations have
\nbeen cramming their program line ups with quizzes -- ranging from
\ncrossword puzzles to family games -- to draw viewers and lure
\npotential advertisers.<\/p>\n
Apparently, quizzes are so popular that no TV station, state
\nor private, can afford to overlook them. If they do, stations
\nrisk losing their audience at a time when competition among the
\nelectronic media is getting tougher.<\/p>\n
Quizzes have become the flavor of the month for the television
\nindustry. TV stations, especially the private ones, are
\nincreasing their range of quiz shows in a bid to be innovative.<\/p>\n
Each of the seven stations run at least two kinds of quizzes,
\nwith one of those aired every day during prime time.<\/p>\n
Just a few weeks ago, TPI launched two quizzes called Sale of
\nthe Century and Take Your Pick, while SCTV is planning its
\nseventh quiz.<\/p>\n
TV stations have their own reasons for choosing game shows.<\/p>\n
Stephanus Halim, SCTV's marketing manager and coordinator of
\nthe station's quiz shows, said many viewers love the programs and
\nthe top quizzes draw advertisers.<\/p>\n
\"We are flooded with hundreds of applications from people
\nwanting to take part in quiz programs,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Halim said SCTV's Kuis Cocok gets dozens of applicants each
\nday.<\/p>\n
\"We can only pick four participants while the number of
\napplicants can reach hundreds,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Haryanto, SCTV's public relations officer, said that quizzes
\nare aired to provide a contrast to regular programs, such as
\ncinemas, talk shows or sinetron (soap opera).<\/p>\n
Like any other program, the popularity of a quiz show does
\nhave a used-by date. After being aired for quite some time,
\npopularity fades and the station will either have to scrap it or
\nfind a replacement.<\/p>\n
Zoraya Perucha, corporate communication manager of ANteve,
\nsaid quizzes are particularly popular among the young and
\nprofessional families.<\/p>\n
ANteve runs a number of quizzes, including Family 100, What
\nthe Kid Has to Say and Crossword Puzzle which are all aired at
\nprime time.<\/p>\n
\"The viewers of these programs are families who have special
\ncharacteristics and are selective about their choice of TV
\nprograms,\" Zoraya said. \"What we do here is provide programs that
\nare suitable for them.\"<\/p>\n
Zoraya said the quizzes are designed to be entertaining and
\nare aired at times when family members usually get together to
\nwatch television.<\/p>\n
Andreas Ambesa, public relations manager of Indosiar, said
\nthe station broadcasts quizzes to satisfy the audience's demand
\nfor innovative programs in addition to the \"regular\" shows.<\/p>\n
The large number of enthusiasts wanting to participate in a
\nquiz program poses a quandary for networks.<\/p>\n
People have to send application letters and wait for weeks, or
\neven months, before they are informed if they have qualified for
\nthe race.<\/p>\n
ANteve's Famili 100 and RCTI's Tak-Tik Boom take about one
\nyear to select their contestants. While RCTI's Telekuis Jari-Jari
\nand Indosiar's Gebyar BCA viewers can participate immediately by
\ngiving their answers on the phone.<\/p>\n
Famili 100 and some other quizzes require participants to send
\npictures of their family members and explain why they are
\n\"unique\", such as there are a dozen children and all are female.<\/p>\n
\"What we need is families with unique characters who are able
\nto act in front of the camera,\" Zoraya said. \"They also have to
\nact as naturally as possible and make the show more alive.\"<\/p>\n
\"For What the Kid Has to Say show, we also want children who
\nare comfortable in front of the camera.<\/p>\n
\"We hire child psychologist to help them feel at ease,\" she
\nsaid. \"We also send talent-scouts to popular schools to find
\nchildren who can perform in our show.\"<\/p>\n
Experience<\/p>\n
Anak Agung Banyu Perwita, a viewer from Bandung, has appeared
\nin two quizzes: RCTI's Tak-Tik Boom and ANteve's Famili 100.<\/p>\n
Banyu was called in for an interview one year after he applied
\nto be a contestant.<\/p>\n
\"If people say you must pay to be on a show they are wrong,\"
\nhe said. \"All I did was apply and wait. If you are qualified
\nenough they'll call you.\"<\/p>\n
He wanted to be a contestant because he and his family found
\nthe quizzes interesting and enjoyable to watch.<\/p>\n
\"In Tak-Tik Boom I was able to test my intelligence, while in
\nFamili 100 I had so much fun with my family and won a prize,\"
\nBanyu said.<\/p>\n
Each show gave him an accommodation fee and provided meals, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"During the shows I had to bring at least four different
\nshirts because each shooting was for three or four air times.<\/p>\n
Banyu said it was easy to get a prize on both shows.<\/p>\n
\"I won two tickets, with accommodation included, from Tak-Tik
\nBoom about three months after the episode was aired,\" he said. \"I
\ndidn't have to pay any extra expenses or taxes to get the prize.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/quizzes-are-hot-ticket-in-intense-tv-ratings-war-1447893297",
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