MUMBAI: Since its foray into India in 2009, FremantleMedia has worked in television content production with leading broadcasters such as Star India, Viacom 18 Network and SET India as well as digital giants like Facebook.
The company’s successes across genres include key Fremantle formats such as Indian Idol, India’s Got Talent, Distraction and X Factor India in the non-scripted space, and Scars Of Life, Confrontation, Code Red and Private Investigator in the scripted space.
Being part of an established and well-connected global company has helped Fremantle India MD Aradhana Bhola sail through the pandemic. Be it timely in-flow of developments on the virus front, shared safety protocols or finding creative and production solutions to the challenges posed by the pandemic, for her the advantages of belonging to a vast network has been an absolute boon. Said she: “Shows like Neighbours (our long running successful Australian scripted series that put into place almost bubble-like sets with colour-coded access demarcations) and American Idol (shot from the homes of the judges, anchor, and contestants amounting to 25 different locations with 120 smartphones) led the way for us. These learnings coupled with equally committed partnerships that we have with our clients on ground resulted in us delivering, both successfully and safely.”
The Indian production scene, too, has undergone Asserting more on how the television production has undergone a change post-pandemic and safety protocols on sets are de rigueur, Bhola stated. From masks, temperature checks, sanitisation to zones that create bubbles – within the larger bubble that limit possible exposure –are the new normal. Creatively too, has changed it has adapted itself to the current situation. For instance, auditions and audiences are a big part of the rags to riches reality talent shows like Indian Idol and India’s Got Talent that Fremantle Media is known for. Amid the pandemic, the studio had to look at alternatives. In the case of Indian Idol (season 12 is currently on air on Sony Entertainment Television), the makers went online for auditions and as for audiences, they made the best of family and friends.
She clarified that the pandemic has not impacted the participation in reality shows. In fact, the studio has witnessed an increase in entries for the latest season of Indian Idol, with some contestants even confessing that they had more time on hand this year to pursue their passion for singing.
Going forwards, Bhola mentioned that digital will be part and parcel of the way producers create and work. She further added, “I also think international collaborations will see a rise. For instance, we produced the India edition of Hello 2021 for YouTube which was essentially a New Year celebration across five countries including the US and the UK. Again, a big part of this has been paved by the way we have connected virtually across the globe.”
Bhola has dedicated teams that look into distribution, licensing, and syndication depending on the territories involved. However, Fremantle India looks into licensing and oversees some of its formats in south east Asia like Nepal Idol that has successfully run for three seasons already.
Fremantle is also betting on the regional market, with shows like Amra Na Ora that aired on Star Jalsha. Bhola has plans to make this an ongoing stream for the production house. While she refrained from divulging any details about upcoming properties, she did reveal that the studio has some exciting projects that will be unveiled soon.
