Algeria state TV rolls out new schedule to win Ramadan viewers
2009-08-31
Algerian public television has re-arranged its Ramadan schedule so that new sitcoms like "The Djemai Family" don't overlap with other hit programmes.
By Mouna Sadek for Magharebia in Algiers – 31/08/09
 [Mouna Sadek] Schedule changes on Algerian TV mean viewers should have no trouble catching new sitcoms like "The Djemai Family". |
Algeria's five-channel state television network has reshuffled its Ramadan line-up so that popular shows, like its new sitcoms "The Djemai Family" and "Souk El Hadj Lakhdar", no longer air at overlapping times.
"The Ramadan schedule is first and foremost oriented towards family viewing, because Algerian families are really interested in the programmes broadcast by state television... during the month of fasting," said Mustapha Khelifik, who directs programming at the state network, ENTV.
The initial response from Algerian audiences seems positive. "ENTV seems to have changed its strategy, and that's good," said Hamza, a student. "For once, when you hop over to ENTV, you find different programmes."
The schedule shake-up goes so far as to target particular shows at particular regions.
"There are even productions which will be shown only on certain channels, such as the soap "Si Mohand Oumhand", which will only be shown on Channel IV in Amazigh," Khelifik said in a statement issued on Friday (August 21st).
But scheduling aside, the most attention has been grabbed by two new "chorba" sitcoms, which have been snaring high ratings during the post-iftar prime time.
One is "The Djemai Family", an Algerian "Cosby Show", which chronicles an Algerian family faced with crazy situations. The other, "Souk El Hadj Lakhdar", follows the adventures of a family man discovering, with humorous alarm, how vendors behave during Ramadan.
"The Djemai Family" seems the most popular. "Wherever you go, everyone's talking about Djemai and his dysfunctional family," said Nawel, 24, a medical student. "The dialogue is extremely well-written... with the "Djamai Family", you come across a new situation each time, and most importantly, you see original ideas."
The comedy's director, Djaâfar Gacem, feels it is his duty to please Algerian viewers. "Algerian viewers are very demanding; because they have satellite, they're constantly hopping from one Arabic- or English-language channel to another. Maghreb and Arab productions are high-quality. As a director, I have to give them more," he said.
Gacem lauds ENTV's new programming strategy. "You shouldn't talk down to Algerian viewers," he said. "Let them choose."
"Souk El Hadj Lakhdar" has received a more mixed response from viewers. Nevertheless, Lamine, a 33-year-old pharmacist, said he likes the "true-to-life" character of Hadj Lakhdar.
"We all know someone like him among our friends and family," he said. "Someone who's never happy, who's worn down by Ramadan and takes it out on everyone else."
Lakhdar Boukhers, the show's producer, said he wanted to show the reality facing Algerians, who suffer from rocketing prices during Ramadan. On another front, Algerian television is broadcasting two competing "candid camera" shows.
One is Mourad Khan's "Candid Camera", while the other is a new concept from presenter Sofiane Dani called "Dahka ou Laâba" (Laughs and Games).
Because Ramadan coincides with school holidays and annual leave this year, there are still a number of domestic and Arabic soaps to watch, and time has been allotted for programmes aimed at younger viewers, such as documentary films and competitions.
During Ramadan, audiences also have the option of watching more religious or scientific programmes, such as "Foussane El Cora'an (Knights of the Holy Koran)", "Khatem Soliman, Atfal El Cora'an (Children of the Holy Qur'an)" and "Ouléma El Djazaïr (Scholars of Algeria)".
Not all Algerian viewers are happy with ENTV's schedule changes. "I think there are too many adverts," said Badéa, a retired teacher who prefers programmes shown on Nessma TV, MBC, Dubai TV and other Maghreb channels. "You can't follow the programmes; and apart from a few series, a lot of soaps aren't very original."
But others feel Ramadan has given them a chance to return to Algerian television programming. Nouredine, 36, said that seeing his family come together around the small screen, watching Algerian sitcoms, is "a feeling that can't be beat."
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bobou Posted 2009-08-31
Honestly, you did not make any effort. This was worthless. You have no shame. 2009 is ****. The Ramadan programmes are worthless. Change them!
bravo Posted 2009-08-31
well done DJAAFER GACEM that's what we call ALGERIAN sitcom.
hanine Posted 2009-09-01
I like this website. Keep up the good work. -Thank you
ZEROUKI Posted 2009-09-01
litima oul elmhatma what else can start? We need to change our mindsets!!!
MAB65 Posted 2009-09-01
I have been living in Canada with my family for a dozen years or so. Ever since we put in a satellite dish at home, I watch it alone, especially during Ramadan. I am certainly interested in Algerian TV, but also in Tunisia's channel and the two Moroccan channels. Regarding the sitcom "Djamai family", it is the best (even if a few episodes are lacking some ingredients). Regarding "Souk hadj lakhdar", it is still not on Algerian TV. Then there is the series filmed in Montreal "Bin el barah wa el youm". It is a complete fail. You have to play with the remote the whole time just to hear the actors mumble. The image quality is disgusting. I could get a better quality image with my mini-DV camera. And, the hitch is that the editing is poorly done: you are in the middle of a scene and they switch to another scene without any logic. It is blatant how unnatural the actors are. What is more, I do not see what the point is in travelling thousands of kilometres just to a bad image of the Maghreb community. Either the woman crushes her husband or the husband is a sick player and tortures his sweet wife or the son is a dealer or the parents are divorced. But, my God, this is not unique to the Maghreb community. There are solid couples and men who respect their wives and parents and children. Women are freer here and that is all the better, because being Muslim does not mean being ignorant, poorly dressed, uneducated and definitely not a victim of or an object for a man. This speaks to propaganda. Being an immigrant from Algeria means something. Dying at sea is better than pretending to live.
KARHAB Posted 2009-09-02
Hello- I would like to meet the music interpreter Souk El Haj Lakhdar - Thank you in advance
azib Posted 2009-09-04
The debate created around the Algiers’ productions "Djamai family" and "Le Souk de Lakhdar" does not concern all Algerians and only displeased the lobby behind it, which lead the media hype in certain newspapers and, more especially, on Algerian television. The stupidity of these shows is symptomatic of the diseased state in which we now find our national culture. Touching people with the aesthetic quality of the work alone, which is ensured, it must be noted, by foreigners paid with ENTV money, cannot guarantee the success of Djamai Family. This programme is completely out of phase with most of its numbers and with the socio-cultural reality of Algeria. The latter is deeper that cannot manage to be summed up in watching "Tom and Jerry" at the Hydra taxi-driver's. Do a poll outside of Algiers and you will be pointed to the popularity of prime-time television that obeys other not-so-occulted rules, such as the intrinsic quality of the series. Being open to the world is good, but being open to the point of receiving Clint Eastwood at Boualem's - not so much, and falling into the miming of primates is not so at all! This confirms the rule: all the authentically Algerian programmes are scheduled for late night (1:30 AM) so that no one can see them and ask questions that bother the decision-makers at El Yatima.
وافق أصيل Posted 2009-09-13
Algerian state channels, why do we hear such expression? It is as if we have private or independent channels. This doesn't exist and won't exist as long as there is in power a person called Abdelaziz Bouteflika who believes quite astonishingly that Algeria as a whole has become his property and he can do whatever he wants of it. Therefore, we don't expect any good in any sector of the sectors of life in Algeria as long as he and his group rule the country. He might hand it down to one of his brothers. This would be a catastrophe. If it happens, it will lead Algeria to a catastrophe and its consequences are only known by God the Almighty.
رضوان dz Posted 2009-09-16
“Jamai Family” is the best Algerian production. I follow it closely in addition to some shots of Algerian productions and programmes of Nesma TV. But Eastern channels are boring because they repeat the same topics in the same way. Therefore, Turkish and Korean films are better than them. As for “Haj Lakhdar”, it is absurd, with my respects to Boukhreis.
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