Real gets a reality check,no new shows since July

Real,a Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) launched six months ago,has hit a rough patch. The channel,set up by Real...

Real,a Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) launched six months ago,has hit a rough patch. The channel,set up by Real Global Broadcasting (RGBPL) the 50:50 joint venture between Alva Brothers Entertainment and Turner International has not had a single new show on air since July and there are no productions underway.

A company spokesperson confirmed the channel has been airing repeats of old shows since July and doesnt plan to launch any new show in the near future. As a consequence,the channel has not had any advertiser either in the past few months. The repeat shows had led to speculation that the channel was planning to shut operations.

The buzz intensified on Monday after RGBPL issued a statement saying it was downsizing its operations. The statement said: The joint venture partners,Turner and Alva Brothers Entertainment,are reassessing RGBPLs business plans. These plans will be announced as soon as they are confirmed. The current employee strength of RGBPL is over 50.

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Despite a strong parentage in Alva brothers promoted by Nikhil and Niret,sons of politician Margaret Alva,with 15 years of successful record as television content producers and Turner International that has had a good run in India with channels such as Cartoon Network and Pogo Real largely remained a non-starter since its launch in March.

Data shows Real TVs share failed to pick up beyond 1 per c ent in the past six months,except in May when it touched a 2 per cent-mark.The Hindi GEC category is led by Star Plus (22 per cent share in August),followed by Colors (22 per cent) and Zee TV (20 per cent). The Alva brothers were unavailable for comment. The company spokesperson,however,said there were no immediate plans for shutting down.