Inferior TV reruns keep couch potatoes happy

Inferior TV reruns keep couch potatoes happy

By Antariksawan Jusuf

JAKARTA (JP): This year has been marked by almost constant
changes in scheduled TV programming, bringing about its own
inevitable change in viewer habits.

Before the crisis, when the national economy grew annually at
between 6 percent and 7 percent, changes in the set lineup were
rare. The only exceptions were when a station needed to embark on
a boost to refurbish its image, for the stations' anniversary and
during the fasting month of Ramadhan.

Ramadhan is always special for local TV stations in the
world's largest Moslem populace. Programming is revamped. There
are fewer violent movies and series depicting acts leading to
adultery and other forbidden acts are banished. When the month is
over, TV fare quickly returns to normal with the usual sex and
violence filling the airwaves.

The first quarter this year saw several unavoidable changes.
Due to the economic crisis and the attendant drastic drop in
advertising revenue, stations cut their airtime to survive.

Homemakers complained about missing their favorite programs
due to the scheduling changes, mostly during the morning and
early afternoon time slots, which all stations filled with
programs assumed to fit their needs: Kitchen topics, fashion
speak and adultery (on talk shows, variety shows and the soaps).

The era of reform arrived in mid-May. Students staged protests
and the presidential succession triggered another instant change
in viewing habits. Both print and broadcast media reveled in
their newfound freedoms and for the first time in the history of
the Indonesian television industry, news and current affairs
programs gained two-digit ratings. This was true for all
stations, including the state-run TVRI network which in the past
had failed to win viewers' hearts, even with its supposedly
entertaining shows.

In June to July, many Indonesians, especially those with extra
testosterone and daring enough to spend sleepless nights along
with the rest of the world's die-hard soccer fans, bet on their
favorite teams and avidly watched the World Cup into the wee
hours.

After the champion had been crowned, there was yet another
change to be faced. The economy has failed to rally and the TV
industry continues to face major upheaval as advertising revenue
is estimated to experience a further slump.

The result is that when Indonesians switch the remote to local
television programming these days, chances are it is a case of
everything old is new again.

Like it or not, reruns are in on private TV stations. The list
is long but it includes Tirai Kasih Yang Terkoyak (The Torn
Love), Impian Pengantin (The Bride's Dream), Wiro Sableng, and
several episodes of Tuyul dan Mbak Yul on RCTI. Masih Ada Kapal
ke Padang (Another Ship to Padang), Kabut Tengger (Mist of
Tengger), Saat Memberi Saat Menerima (Time to Give, Time to Take)
on SCTV.

There is also Ngelaba, Ali Oncom, Desaku Bumiku (My Village,
My Earth) and several episodes of award-winning Mat Angin of TPI.
Hari Hari Mau of Anteve and Pondok Pak Djon (Mr. Djon's Cabin),
Wanita Kedua (The Other Woman), and Bulan Di Denpasar (The Moon
over Denpasar) on Indosiar.

Worst of all are the reruns of low-budget Indonesian movies.
The same limited titles are swapped from one screen to the
others. Stations still find vast film libraries and make their
choice of Maju Kena Mundur Kena (Getting Stuck), Chips, Gantian
Dong (Take Turns), Gede Rasa (Thick Skin), Selamat Tinggal Duka
(Bye Bye Sadness), Kecubung Sakti (Magic Kecubung Stone), Lowo
Ijo, Sepasang Iblis Betina (A Pair of Female Devils), whose
titles are indicative of their quality.

Each station has an Indonesian movie slot to feed even though
the country's movie industry basically shot its last take in
1992. Titles produced after that year are 99 percent guaranteed
to fill the waste basket of the internal censorship department of
every station.

Ectesi dan Pengaruh Sex (Ecstasy and Sexual Effects),
Selingkuh (Adultery), Kekasih Gelap (The Mistress), Kenikmatan
Terlarang (Forbidden Pleasure), and Perawan Birahi (Horny Girl)
are picks of the litter.

The dubious quality on offer has not dissuaded Indonesians
from turning on the TV. According to the authoritative rating
agency, AC Nielsen/SRG, Indonesians are hooked on the small
screen for an average 3.6 viewing hours a day.

This figure, released for March 1997, is the highest among
eight Asian countries, including Malaysia, the Philippines and
Thailand, whose citizens respectively chalk up 2.1, two and 1.7
hours in front of the box. Still, maybe some Indonesians will be
proud of the fact they "beat" their neighbors in the couch potato
stakes.