KATHMANDU: Switch on your television on any day of the week, and chances are, a Nepali reality TV show is airing. Singing, dancing, comedy, rap, poetry, acting—there’s something for every viewer.
However, similar content on overlapping time slots is creating an unusual clash on the small screen. Viewers are spoilt for choice, but also left confused about what to watch. Why are so many similar shows competing head-to-head?
In the singing category alone, five major shows are currently in production or being aired: Nepal Idol Season 6, The Voice Kids Season 4, SAREGAMAPA Li’l Champs Season 2, Mero Voice Universe Season 2 and Battle Bhumi, a rap-based show. These programs draw largely from the same talent pool and share a similar target audience. As they battle for eyeballs, it is becoming increasingly difficult for any one show to hold the attention of viewers scattered across multiple platforms and channels.
This is not limited to singing and dancing. Comedy-based programmes like Comedy Darbar 2 and Comedy Night with Champions are also airing around the same time, drawing comparisons and splitting viewer loyalty. A similar trend is also observed in other genres. Acting Star Nepal caters to aspiring actors, while Mero Dance Universe Season 2 showcases dance talent.
Aleen Shrestha, the director of Nepal Idol 6 and SAREGAMAPA Li’l Champs 2, calls this overlapping a natural consequence of timing and circumstance. According to him, the broadcast schedule often depends on sponsor preferences and market conditions, which can lead to unintended clashes. “Our show couldn’t air at the originally planned time. Every show has its own timeline, and sometimes they overlap,” said Shrestha.
Shrestha views the growing number of reality shows as a positive development. “Each show provides jobs to many behind the scenes. The more, the better,” he says. Shrestha believes that the Nepali reality TV landscape is evolving in two directions: one adopting international formats and another rooted in homegrown ideas. “Each has its own style and audience, so overlapping broadcast times may not always be detrimental,” he added.
Bishal Bhandari, the director of shows like Comedy Night with Champions and Acting Star Nepal, agrees with Shrestha. He said that a free market should allow creators to bring their vision to life without restrictions. “If the work is good and people like it, the show will survive in the market,” he said.
However, Bhandari does express concern over unhealthy competition in similar genres, especially when originality is lacking. Everyone’s doing the same thing in the same style. It is like when one successful film comes out, suddenly everyone wants to register something similar,” he added.
Bhandari said the risk is high, especially for new producers. “It takes around Rs 30 million to make one reality show. If it does not capture the audience’s attention, that investment is lost,” he warned.
What is on air right now?
SAREGAMAPA Li’l Champs began broadcasting on June 15 (Asar 1) on Space 4K TV and Doko YouTube. New episodes are released every Sunday and Monday. Stand-up comedian Suman Karki hosts the show, while Deep Shrestha Suwani Moktan and Swapna Suman are in the judging panel.
The Voice Kids started on June 13 and airs every Friday and Saturday on Himalaya TV and The Voice Nepal’s YouTube channel. The show is hosted by Sushil Nepal and Ronishma Shrestha, while Satyaraj Acharya, Khem Century, Melina Rai, and Milan Newar are the judges. Laxman Paudel is the director of the show.
Nepal Idol is airing every Friday and Saturday on AP1 TV and the show’s YouTube channel. The show is hosted by Asif Shah and directed by Rupesh Paudel and Aleen Shrestha. Nhyoo Bajracharya, Indira Joshi and Kali Prasad Baskota are in the judging panel.
Mero Voice Universe has been airing on Nepal Television and Intra-National Welfare and Support YouTube channel since May 1. Directed by Bikash Aryal, the show is hosted by Reema Bishwokarma and comedian Raja Rajendra Pokhrel. Deep Shrestha, Suresh Adhikari, Shiva Pariyar, Anju Panta, Laboni Chakrabarty and Karma Gyaltsen Bomjan serve as the judges in the show.
The rap show, Battle Bhumi, started streaming on OSR Reality’s YouTube channel on May 24. New episodes are uploaded on Saturdays and Sundays. Directed by Bikram Khanal and hosted by Manish Dhakal (MEK), the show features rappers Kavi G and Manas Ghale as judges.
Similarly, Mero Dance Universe began airing on May 4. New episodes are uploaded every Sunday and Monday on the Intra-National Welfare and Support YouTube channel. The show is directed by Mausami Gurung and hosted by Naresh Bhattarai, while Mithila Sharma, Shilpa Maskey, Kabiraj Gahatraj, Kiran Thapa Shankar BC, and Dilip Rayamajhi are in the judging panel.
Comedy Darbar is now in its second season after a successful first run. Directed by comedians Vicky Agrawal and Shraddha Prasai, the show stars Manoj Gajurel and Gauri Malla as the royal couple. Broadcast every Friday on Prime Time TV and OSR Digital, it is hosted by Agrawal and Sajina Khanal.
Comedy Night with Champions launched on April 1 and is led by Deepashree Niraula and directed and hosted by Bishal Bhandari. It airs every Tuesday on Himalaya TV and OSR Reality’s YouTube channel.
The newly launched Acting Star Nepal aims to discover the next big screen talent in the country. It premiered on OSR Reality on May 28, with new episodes released every Wednesday and Thursday. Directed by Bishal Bhandari and produced by Sonu Sejali Magar, the show is hosted by Srijal Rupakheti. Actors Anup Baral, Richa Sharma and Nir Shah are in the judging panel.
