Webinar on Development Communication in India – Vineet Sudhir

Vineet Sudhir a student of Manipal Institute of Communication presented his research work
on the topic “THE GRATIFICATION OF REALITY SHOW ON VIEWERS DURING COVID
SITUATION; STUDY AMONG THE VIEWERS OF  BIGBOSS KANNADA SEASON 8″. He
talked about reality shows being a source of entertainment program and how it is getting
popular compared to the early nineteenth and twentieth centuries. 
He listed various variables contributing to the success of these shows which are Human
Curiosity ‘Curiosity lured the public’, Entertainment Value and Aggressive Marketing. 
His objective was to examine the viewing pattern of reality shows among the respondents of
Udupi district, to analyze the influence of reality shows on the mindset of viewers, and to
examine the influence of Big Boss on the viewers during the lockdown period. 
He collected data through the help of questionnaires and to acquire quantitative data,
statistical surveys were used. The age group of the respondents was fixed to 18-28 years. To
understand the perceptions of different respondents who were viewers of big boss Kannada (
season 8 ) in the Udupi district of Karnataka, questionnaires were filled in person.
The data was collected from 208 young women in the age group 18-28 years. 31.3% of
respondents were students, 29.3% of respondents are employed, 26.9% are self-employed,
and the rest 12.5% are homemakers. 
On a concluding note, he said that his respondents watched television regularly despite
various other platforms available for their source of entertainment. As many as 24.5% of the
respondents watch the medium at a selected time which means they free themselves during
that time period. He also stated that respondents watched a particular show because it was
suggested by their peer group. The younger age group developing an inclination towards
entertainment and not knowledge-oriented represents the orientation received by friends and
family. And around 48% of the respondents do not consider that reality shows despite having
a talent hunt as their motto do not facilitate. Few respondents stated that they loved watching

Big Boss Kannada season 8 during lockdown because it was the only source of entertainment
during COVID times.