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Monday, Jan 2, 2012 6:50 AM UTC

Indian TV Grows Edgy _ Without The Edge

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Topics: From the Wires,

Indian TV Grows Edgy _ Without The EdgeFILE - In this June 15, 2004 file photo, a movie theater worker removes a poster of Bollywood film "Girlfriend," a film about a lesbian couple, after Hindu hard-liners demanded a ban on the film, in Allahabad, India. In an effort to attract younger viewers without offending the older ones, Indian TV is now showing some of America's edgiest shows, but cutting out the edge. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh, File)(Credit: AP)

NEW DELHI (AP) — Would the sex, drugs and rock-n-roll fueled TV show “Californication” be worth watching without the sex, drugs and rock-n- roll? What about serial killer series “Dexter” without the gore?

In an effort to attract younger viewers without offending the older ones, Indian TV is now showing some of America’s edgiest shows — but cutting out the edge.

As India urbanizes and its middle class grows, a delicate dilemma has hit a media culture long dominated by local TV shows aimed at rural audiences, such as the soap opera “Baalika Vadhu” or “Child Bride,” about a girl married off at age 10. While the young and hip audiences that attract advertising dollars want foreign imports, no broadcaster wants to upset conservative viewers or attract government ire.

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