Martial arts on TV

On Monday, Sept. 25, at about 8 p.m., I checked four TV channels TPI, SCTV, ANteve and Indosiar. Each was screening a martial arts film. Usually at that hour two channels show such films, so on that evening the portion was double the usual fare.

I am not against martial arts films, but if all private TV stations (including RCTI) vie with each other during prime time in showing them as "superior" films, what is actually happening to our urban society's taste?

I am sure that the objective of showing martial arts films is purely commercial: many viewers, high ratings, many sponsors and higher income. However, is such criterion the sole factor in deciding what films to show?

It is true that a rating reflects the community's taste. It should be borne in mind, however, that ratings are based only on surveys in five cities in Indonesia, conducted by Survey Research Indonesia. What about other communities outside the five cities? Is the purpose of the continuous showing of martial arts films in large quantities the teaching of the people to like those action films? Are ratings the prime consideration?

Andoko

Jakarta