Sangeeta Tanwar
Media

A Reality Show for Smart Investors

On August 21, Zee Business, with Reliance Money, will begin the on-air hunt for India’s Smart Investor

Zee Business is all set to introduce a new business show, called The Hunt For India’s Smart Investor, beginning August 21. The channel has roped in Reliance Money as the presenter of the show.

The show is all about looking for a smart Indian investor, from among the 63 participants from 21 cities, belonging to seven states. The smart investor will be chosen on the basis of the investment plans he or she comes up with in different competitive rounds of the show.

A Reality Show for Smart Investors
Barun Das
A Reality Show for Smart Investors
Sudip Bandyopadhyay
In an official communiqué, Barun Das, chief executive officer, Zee News Limited, says, “The new programme is an attempt by Zee Business to educate and empower masses about the various financial and investment options available to them. The Smart Investor promises to offer smart investment tips to Indian families, coupled with expert advice on prudent asset allocation in a format that exudes infotainment.”

Talking to afaqs!, Raktim Das, business head, Zee Business, explains that Zee Business, as a brand, strives continuously to educate and empower masses. This show further achieves this goal, but with a touch of entertainment, as it incorporates strong elements of reality, building up the required viewer excitement and involvement. Das elaborates on the format, “The show will select 63 participants from seven states, namely Punjab, Delhi & NCR, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. From these states, three participants each will be chosen from three different cities, who will be questioned by a panel of judges to determine their investment acumen.”

Raktim shares that those who wish to audition for the show have to simply log on to the website smartinvestor.zeebiz.com, fill up a simple form, answering questions, such as the kind of form one has to fill in for filing income tax. Out of the received applications, those who score more than 75 percent would be selected for state auditions. Candidates from three different cities would be selected by a panel of judges. Out of the top three contenders, finally, one participant will be selected to represent his or her state.

Raktim adds, “Ground activities are being organised in various places to select the top seven players who will make it to the final round of the show. The ground activity, consisting of trials, is being filmed to make up the different episodes of the show. Participants will be asked questions on financial services and will be asked to present some interesting case studies to solve some specific financial problems.”

In order to spread the word, the channel has advertised in local dailies of the respective states. Platforms within Zee are also being used for running the show’s promos. And due to constraints on account of logistics and in an attempt to fine tune the selection procedure, participation for the show has been restricted to registration on the website alone. The information on the website about the show is more of a B2B (business to business) exercise, rather than informing viewers about the show.

The inaugural episode will go on air on August 21 at 8:30 PM. Thereafter, the show will be telecast every Sunday. The timing for the show has not been decided yet, but 30-minute episodes in the prime time band of 8:30 PM every Sunday seems to be the most likely choice. The show will conclude in December.

The presenter for the show, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, director and chief executive officer, Reliance Money, speaking to afaqs!, says, “The show presents us an excellent opportunity to offer and arm citizens with some sound knowledge regarding financial products and services available in the market. The show travels to 21 big cities and small towns, and thus, is a good way to connect with Indian families at large. The show, with reality elements, is going to be highly engaging and interesting.”

The winner of the show will be felicitated at a special awards ceremony conducted at Mumbai. Zee Business and Reliance Money refused to reveal the prize money or any other incentives to be offered to the participants and winners.

The show will be anchored by Mihir Bhat, bureau head, Zee Business Mumbai.

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