DD won't let you dream of winning a crore

DD won't let you dream of winning a crore
Anuradha Raman

New Delhi, December 25: `Presenting a game show where you win even if you lose. Knock Out: Out here everybody wins.' Never mind what the promos say, Knock Out, billed as Doordarshan's answer to Kaun Banega Crorepati, is being shelved even before it was telecast since DD is a `responsible public broadcaster.'

The weekly quiz and entertainment programme, which was to be hosted by Kabir Bedi, was supposed to go on air from January 28 after it was approved by the Prasar Bharati Corporation last month. Now, it is being ``reviewed'', Mandi House parlance for ``likely to be shelved''.

The decision to shelve Knock Out was taken at the Prasar Bharati Board meeting held last Friday. ``The problem lies with the format of the show, which conflicts with the perception of DD as a responsible public broadcaster,'' a senior official said. A fortnight ago, Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj had remarked at an informal gathering of journalists that she had sought details of the Knock Out show.

Doordarshan's viewers had missed the opportunity of seeing Amitabh Bachchan gifting a crore every week because of the broadcaster's public posturing. ``We cannot promote programmes that are seen to be promoting lottery or gambling,'' a senior official said.

While DD's programme code makes no mention of gambling and lottery, the advertising code does allude to a ban on ``betting tips and guide books, relating to horse-racing or other games of chance.''

While DD officials are ``reviewing'' the decision on the programme, marketing company Cinevista has gone ahead and splashed promos in leading dailies. In fact, DD officials were surprised when told about the advertisements. Officials in Cinevista were not available for comment.