Review : The new avatar of KBC (KBC 2) is even more glorified and people (including me) I am sure are getting lured into this beautiful trap. Odds as bad as 1 in 200000 to qualify for the fastest finger first, are also not able to deter masses from trying their luck. One is information asymmetry created by the sponsors and no hint at letting people know of the chances of qualifying and second is the charm of getting paid to share screen with Amitabh. As of now, however, I have several friends who are aghast at seeing their month end bills of mobiles and seeking some pacifying consolation. Bottomline is they spent hundreds of bucks and did not qualify in the end. Comes soon to rescue another lifeline in the form of KBC Fast lane by airtel. Looks like oh man... airtel really cares for its customers.... Well the reality is too far fetched. Its yet another money making opportunity for the sponsors. Call 646 at Rs. 6 per minute or sms 646 at Rs.3 per sms. Choose your own way of self destruction. This sms business is in its nascent stages in India and has really made a significant impact on the earnings of the sponsors whether it was Indian Idol or KBC, but unsuspecting viewers suffer a hidden brunt. Hope time would educate them and help them prepare for this new mobile assault. The show undoubtedly is very nicely designed and conceptualized. Presentation is a treat to watch but its just a marketing coup inflicted on the poor viewers who just become poorer trying to participate on this mega show. Its not intellect that is rewarded. Its bit of luck and your risk taking ability. Afterall the more sms u send more is your chances of qualifying. Here is part of one brief earning analysis for STar and its partners I had put on another blog. ’’ Was wondering whether to put any money (play satta) on the the new money churner called KBC considering its high cost entry mechanism which at the outset seemed very user friendly but was ultimately just a money making machine for Star Plus and Airtel. Equation for the user: 3 crore entries for 14 episodes, which makes it roughly 20 lakh entries per episode. Calculate your chances. 10 contestants out of 20 lakh, which is approximately 1 in 2 lakhs (without considering the quota constraints). Does that sound any great ? Equation for the Service provider: 1. Revenue generated 3 crore* Rs.6 per entry = Rs. 18 crore for 14 episodes 2. Money likely to be disbursed in 14 episodes @ approximately 20 lakhs per episode = A mere Rs. 2.8 crores Gross Profit just out of entry revenues =18-2.8 crore = Rs.15.2 Crores (This profit ofcourse would get distributed between AIrtel, Star plus and others) IF there are six sets of 14 episodes each, the total profit is likely to be around Rs. 90 crores. Not a single rupee included from advertising revenues, which is going to be several times this amount :) NO JOKE GUYS !! WHO’s BECOMING CROREPATI HERE? And believe me I played satta on each of the episode despite knowing the odds and the result was on expected lines... Hope I don’t get into the KBC Fast lane of Airtel now.’’