Programmes of consequence
Sunday Mid-day, October 10, 1999

ONE didn't quite check the other programmes on telly last week, but if the number of ads on the election broadcast of Doordarshan, Zee and Star were any indication, the results aired live were possibly as popular as Antakshari and Sa Re Ga Ma.

There were advertiser logos placed alongside leadings, just as you have with cricket scores. As a colleague said what's left now with the commercialisation of elections, was politicians sporting logos like our cricketers do.

The media couldn't have asked for a better opportunity to increase its reach. Whether it was television, print or the internet, it was boomtime. A quick look at how the players fared with their poll coverage. Zee v/s Star News v/s DD: Star was sleeker, but Zee has tried to snazz its look-and-feel, but it's still a long way before it can match Prannoy Roy & Co's finesse. My vote for the election results analysis however goes to the team led by Vir Sanghvi and Karan Thapar. Thapar was offensive but decidedly a lot better than the anchors on Star and Zee. Save NDTV's Rajdeep Sardesai and Dorab Sopariwalla who've got some depth.

The Times of India v/s Indian Express: You don't read the Times for hardcore news any longer. It's packaged well and got all the ads, but for the real picture it's the Express that one must depend on. Pity that commercially Express still has a long way to go.

Outlook v/s India Today: India Today may have a more extensive news network, but Outlook is snappier and provocative. With the polls too, Outlook had more readable stories.

Rediff v/s Indiantimes v/s Expressindia v/s Digitalht: Among the internet portals, Rediff won hands down. You don't access to correspondents across the country, but smart desk work. Which is where Rediff always scores. Only problem: it now seems more interested in e-commerce than current affairs. News you can use?