Viewers choose TV shows over concerts

More and more people are preferring to watch music shows on TV rather than go to live concerts by buying expensive tickets.

Toi Toa Sang (I Shine) on VTV9 last month featuring young pop singers Minh Hang and Noo Phuoc Thinh was a hit with young music lovers.


Produced by K-Media and VTV9, I Shine is broadcasted on VTV9 at 8.30pm on the third Saturday of each month.

The channel now runs five music shows on weekend evenings. Its Dau An (Impressions) and Am Nhac Va Buoc Nhay (Music and Dance Steps) are popular among young people while Tinh Khuc Vuot Thoi Gian ( Everlasting Romantic Songs) is targeted at middle-aged and older people.

VTV9 has had two successful episodes of Impressions this year, one of them featuring pop singer Hien Thuc and the other, pop star Lam Truong.

HTV7 continues to broadcast several of its monthly shows like Thay Loi Muon Noi (That's What I Want to Say) and Nhip Cau Am Nhac (Music Bridge).

Launched in 2000, the well-received Music Bridge was one of the first music shows on TV. It allows audiences to talk directly to performers and ask for their favourite songs. The concert is organised at the HTV Theatre on the last Monday of every month and broadcast live on HTV.

VTV1 organises music shows like Bai Hat Yeu Thich (Favourite Songs) and Bai Hat Viet (Vietnamese songs) each month to honour singers, songs, composers, and mixers.

Reality music shows like Vietnam Idol and Evergreen Singing on VTV and HTV are attracting large numbers of viewers.

Thuy Nga, K-Media's director, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that show organisers paid more attention to a show's format, content, and design to attract audiences.

The company invests a lot in sound and light systems for I Shine.

Audiences for live music shows in HCM city are dwindling as a result of the numerous music and game shows on TV as well as the economic downturn.

Stage director Tran Vi My expects live concerts by music stars to drop significantly this year.

"Lower attendance means less profits, even losses, for concert organisers," pop star Thanh Thao said.

"With various kinds of TV music shows, audiences can stay at home and watch their favourite songs on television instead of going out for live concerts," Thao said.

Some of the more moneyed singers are funding their own live shows. Dam Vinh Hung, for instance, said he is continuing with his monthly show that began in 2010. However, to economise, he has moved it from the Opera House to Cau Vong open-air theatre at 126 Cach Mang Thang Tam Street.