The Target Rating Points (TRPs) have taken a hit since online channels like Hot Star, Voot and Zee 5 have been introduced. These online channels and app were introduced as a help to television viewers so that they could watch their favourite shows without any time boundary and limit but invariably they have become detrimental to TV shows as many viewers have now moved on from TV to their mobile phones. The digital revolution in India has given rise to web series and alternative content but has also managed to create a big hole in the TRP ratings of these serials.

Online channels have revolutionized the TV-viewing experience. Right from latest movies, to better content driven shows and niche-targeted web series have all eaten away at the larger share of the audience that used to watch the daily-soaps and reality shows on the small screen, but now have resorted to watching it at their convenience on internet and through apps.

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It is a win-win situation for the audience but the producers, actors and directors of television serials are bearing the brunt of this digital revolution. The online channels might be minting money and riding high on the popularity of these TV shows but the BARC ratings are a bone of contention.

Ishqbaaz actor Nakuul Mehta, who plays the role of Shivaay in the popular serial of Star Plus had quite a lot to say about TV losing business to the online medium. He said, “This is more of a pointless discussion, it is like saying will the new wife take over the house with the mother-in-law. I think it’s a great platform as an audience, as an artist, and as a maker for doing different kind of work, and everything will co-exist. In India, digital is in its nascent stage.”

He further said, “I think there’ll be stars out of a different industry, Sumeet Vyas, Nidhi Singh, Mithila Palkar – they are all doing great work. A lot of film talent and TV talent is moving to digital, I had worked on a show for the platform, and still am working on something. All that will happen is all the medium will become one pool, and it will be like cross pollination, which I think is an ideal atmosphere for the viewers. To give an example, Ishqbaaaz is one of the most popular Indian shows digitally, though we don’t rank number one on the BARC. Digitally, people see it of course, but TV is going to be our prime audience, and it is here to stay, forever.”

Nakuul stars in Ishqbaaz along with Surbhi Chandna, Kunal Jaisingh, Shrenu Parikh, Leenesh Matoo and Mansi Srivastava. The serial revolves around the love life of three brothers Shivaay Singh Oberoi (Nakuul), Omkara Singh Oberoi (Kunal) and Rudra Singh Oberoi (Leenesh).