All that glitters (Nepali TV world)

  Television is a world of glitter. It’s all about the charisma of screen and has certain magic to it. Not only does audio-video process differentiate the broadcast media from print but lights, camera and    other equipment along with attractive faces take this medium on a higher level compared to others. 

TV industry, in other words, is a world of glamor. It has a huge charm as it’s directly connected with screen and fame. TV industry has made the world smaller and scaled new heights in communication. 


Talking about Nepal, we are well aware that the broadcast media (television) as compared to print media holds a special charm for Nepali people. TV channels have mushroomed, and are now not only limited within the capital but also fast expanding in major cities. More than a dozen TV channels are in operation at the national level whereas another dozen run outside valley at the regional level, creating opportunities for hundreds of people. 

Indian TV channels, including entertainment channels like Star Plus or Zee TV and News channels like Aaj Tak were dominant in Nepali market some years ago. However, the scenario has changed to an extent. These days, Nepali channels hold a grip on Nepali viewers. People enjoy national channels more as there are constantly updated news programs and high quality entertainment. With the increase of Nepali TV channels, many youths are looking to build their career in TV. 

“I wish to be a VJ of Call Kantipur someday. I would love to meet new people and communicate with them on different issues on TV. That is my dream from childhood,” says Ashma Shrestha, who recently completed her SLC examinations. She claims that she has confidence and camera friendly face as well to shine in the TV world. She grew up watching this particular show. It’s her favorite and she sees herself as a host in Call Kantipur or a similar TV show in the near future. 

To follow the same dream, she has joined RJ/VJ training classes. Her friends are busy enrolling in bridge courses or nursing preparation but she does not care about them. She feels lucky that she is accompanied by her two best friends who also aspire to become ‘News Anchors’ in the future. Ashma and her friends are in their mid-teens, and highly attracted to the silver screen. 

But there is also a dark side to the shiny TV world. It is true that it provides audience with news and programs covering the whole world. It gives platform to creative and talented people to showcase their skills and creates employment opportunity for a large number of youths. It is a highly reputable and well-paid job as well. But all these positive aspects of TV hold true in the international arena. 

Me in news-studio (Sagarmatha TV, 2013)

In Nepal, it’s a completely different scenario. TV’s charm is lessening day by day. It is true that fresh faces keep appearing in TV but at the same time a large number of people already working in TV are frustrated and seeking alternative jobs. Nepali TV channels have failed to provide employees comfortable working environment, job security or attractive salary. 

Most TV channels neither provide regular salaries nor any other facilities for employees. More disappointing is the fact that journalists are compelled to work for long, even odd hours. In turn, they don’t even get minimum wages. Many TV journalists are dissatisfied with their organizations and regret taking up this profession. Large numbers of journalists disappear from the TV world every year. 

Load-shedding has been a major threat for the development of TV industry. Moreover, we have a narrow market and advertisements, through which TV channels survive, are insufficient to sustain so many channels. Also, new media is proving cheaper for product promotion and it has been actively practiced by the clients. 

Another major challenge is limited budget for operation. First, investment is low, resulting in cutting down of outer expenditures like employee salaries. Second, businessmen/investors lack visionary ideas or strategies to make their TV channels sustainable projects, so as to secure the professions of hundreds of employees. It’s problematic for the investor if he cannot run his business smoothly and make profit, and employees suffer.

Youngsters have been highly attracted to the fame and glamour of TV industry. But the reality of TV world is not as charming as seen from the outside. It’s very important for youths to examine the current scenario of TV journalism in Nepal and prepare for anything after joining it.

Published on Republica, 2014-04-14

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