Alokananda Chakraborty
News

Year-end programming: Something for everybody

As 2002 draws to a close, TV channels jostle to cash in on the spirit

The year end is time for nostalgia. To take stock of the year gone by and usher in the new. A time to catch up as well as let go. Even as we come to terms with this state of mind, can our little idiot box be far behind?

Not really, the myriad channels on TV seem to have begun preparations well in advance, cashing in freely on the year-end spirit. Here's a quick snapshot of what the C&S channels have in store in the run-up to the New Year….

For No 1 network STAR, the party literally began on December 28, with the telecast of popular flick Dil Chahta Hai on lead channel STAR Plus at 8.00 pm. This was followed by E Niwas-directed Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega during prime time on Sunday. But the biggest draw on STAR Plus is the Balaji show titled Kasamm Se on New Year Eve's that will bring together all characters from the popular K serials. Touted as a viewer's delight, this event will see tele's favourite saas and bahus jostle for mind space along with their extended families.

Predictably enough, movie channels, STAR Gold and STAR Movies have nothing but films, films and more films to draw audiences. The Hindi movie channel, STAR Gold began celebrations on December 28 with the dubbed version of Sylvester Stallone's Cliffhangar followed by Hindi movie Josh on Sunday, December 29. Interestingly, Monday, December 30 saw the Hindi version of the recently concluded Miss World contest being telecasted on the channel with Indian representative Shruti Sharma speaking about her experiences while hosting the show. On New Year's Eve, the channel will telecast the Hindi version of blockbuster Titanic at 7.00 pm and STAR Movies will devote the evening of December 31 exclusively to James Bond, premiering The World Is Not Enough at 9.00 pm, followed by Bond Girls Forever at 11.00 pm. These will be preceded by Bond documentaries, Now Pay Attention 007 at 7.00 pm, and Top Ten Bond films at 8.00 pm.

English channel STAR World on the other hand has a musical treat on December 31, with Diva Special featuring singers, Cher, Celine Dion, Shakira and the Dixie Chicks in performance at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas followed by the fifth anniversary celebration of the American Bandstand (a music show).

Sony's recipe of movies and events continues into the New Year with blockbuster Kabhi Kushi Kabhie Gham lined up for the evening of December 31. The channel kicked off its New Year celebrations with an opulent event tilted Bollywood Ke Superstars on Sunday, December 29 at 8.00 pm. This was followed by Boogie Woogie Jalwa, another star-studded event on Monday, December 30. Of course, both events pale out in front of K3G, the major attraction of the three-day extravaganza.

Sister MAX has planned a special episode of Current Bollywood at 8.00 pm on New Year's Eve with regular anchor Shweta Kwatra capturing interesting moments and developments in the world of Bollywood over the last one year. The Eternal Asha concert will follow next at 10.00 pm with the evergreen singer teaming up with a 60-strong orchestra as well as a host of playback and pop singers to belt out some of her favourite numbers.

ZEE TV will conclude the year with the Golden Bollywood Awards during prime time whereas ZEE Cinema has blockbuster, Gadar - Ek Prem Katha at 8.00 pm.

MTV and CHannel [V] will present their individual lists of the musical hits of the year tilted the MTV Top 100 Music Videos and The Best of 2002. MTV's Top 100 countdown started on December 30 at 11.00 am whereas the latter will be telecast on December 31 at 12.00 am. Both programmes will continue into the New Year at the same time - the former till January 3, 2003, and the latter uptil January 2.

Discovery Channel has some aces up it sleeve at the fag end of the year with the screening of the Best of 2002 comprising seven of its most popular programmes. This mini series kicked off on Sunday, December 29, with the Mysteries of Asia at 10.00 pm followed by Lion Queen at 11.00 pm. December 30 saw the legendary martial artist Bruce Lee in action at 10.00 pm followed by the World's Sexiest Destinations for Couples at 11.00 pm. The New Year's Eve line up includes Stealth Secrets at 10.00 pm, Hidden History of Rome at 11.00 pm and Top Secret Beaches at 12.00 pm.

What is 2002 without the news channels, unarguably the biggest beneficiaries post September 11, 2001. This crop of channels posted an impressive growth (especially Hindi news channel, Aaj Tak) with the New Year promising to be even more active. Leader Aaj Tak, for instance, has Flashback Aaj Tak 2002 at 11.00 pm on New Year's Eve whereas BBC World has been offering an eclectic mix of programmes since December 23. ZEE News will do the rounds of major parties on the eve of December 31, while CNBC has compiled Rewind 2002, an eight-episode series that captures the key business events of the year. © 2002 agencyfaqs!

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