Bigg Boss Prize Money Decline: A Troubling Trend Amid Rising Popularity

OPINION: Why is Bigg Boss Prize Money Reducing Despite Its Growing Popularity?

Bigg Boss, one of the most controversial reality shows, gets more popular every year. Yet, despite this increasing fame, the prize money has been shrinking over time.

In the early seasons, winners walked away with ₹1 crore, but starting from Season 6, it dropped to ₹50 lakh. Even though the show keeps getting bigger, the prize stays the same, making fans wonder why. Shouldn’t a popular show like this offer more money by now? Why is the prize money going down when the show is only getting bigger?

Bigg Boss Prize Money Over the Years

Before we dive into the reasons, let’s quickly look at how the prize money has changed from Bigg Boss Season 1 to Season 17.

Impact of OTT Platforms

Bigg Boss expanded to OTT (online streaming) in 2021 with Bigg Boss OTT hosted by Karan Johar. This attracted a younger audience who prefers watching content online. The tasks, drama, and interactions were tailored for binge-watching, making it perfect for the digital age.

With Bigg Boss now available on OTT, the focus on prize money might have lessened. The show makes a lot of money through streaming services, ads, and sponsors, so the creators may prioritize keeping the audience engaged with exclusive content over increasing the cash prize. Contestants, too, get huge exposure, which can be more valuable than the prize money itself.

Budget Allocation to Production and Marketing

The production costs of Bigg Boss have gone up significantly. Every season has larger, more extravagant sets, and there are many high-profile celebrity appearances. This requires a big budget.

A lot of money also goes into marketing and promoting the show to compete with other reality shows. All these factors might explain why less money is left for the winner’s prize.

Is Prize Money a Gimmick Now?

It seems the prize money in Bigg Boss is becoming more of a gimmick than the main attraction. Earlier, ₹1 crore was a big amount, but now, contestants seem more focused on gaining fame rather than just the cash. Winning Bigg Boss is now more about the title and the opportunities that come afterward.

Rakhi Sawant, a finalist of Bigg Boss 14, shared her thoughts, saying, “Do you think celebrities go into Bigg Boss just to win the prize? No. They go to make a name for themselves. Even if there’s no prize money, it doesn’t matter because Bigg Boss gives them a chance to shine, and that’s a big deal.”

Many contestants know that even if they don’t win, they will still become famous and get opportunities like brand deals, TV shows, or even movies. So, for many, the exposure is worth more than the cash prize.

In recent seasons, other rewards like luxury cars, bikes, and gadgets have sometimes overshadowed the cash prize. Brands often sponsor these rewards, so the focus is shifting from cash to these extras. For example, winners may take home both ₹50 lakh and a fancy car, making the total prize package more attractive.

Rakhi Sawant’s Thoughts on the Reducing Prize Money

Rakhi Sawant, who has appeared in multiple seasons of Bigg Boss, believes that the prize money doesn’t matter much anymore. She explained, “For the winner, even if the prize is low, it doesn’t matter. Winners get so much work after the show that even if they only get a trophy, they can earn a lot later.”

She also shared her opinion on why the prize money has decreased. “Bigg Boss has other expenses. Maybe sponsorships have reduced. We also have Salman Khan, who needs to be paid, and inflation has gone up. The times have changed. If TRPs (viewership ratings) go up, the prize will increase. If TRPs go down, the prize goes down.”

Conclusion

In the end, contestants see the bigger picture. The real prize is the fame and exposure Bigg Boss provides. That’s why the decreasing prize money doesn’t really bother anyone anymore.

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