On TV, Sony ruled the roost (2011 in Retrospect)

Sony brought a delectable flavour of romance and reality shows on the tube and the audiences lapped them up. It also lifted the bar for good TV content. Other channels too came up with new ideas and experimented.

IANS lists 10 best shows on the tube:

'Kaun Banega Crorepati': Farmers to teachers, housewives to widows - season five of the popular game show was unique as it put the spotlight on people from various sections of society and from the interiors of the country, allowing viewers to know the real India. Host Amitabh Bachchan's humility and warmth stood out. The craze reached a crescendo when Bihar boy Sushil Kumar won the jackpot of Rs.5 crore.

'Bade Acche Laggte Hai': The show started with the motto that love is ageless and that romance can bloom in an arranged marriage too. The concept appealed to viewers and the TRPs started soaring. The on-screen chemistry of the lead pair - Sakshi Tanwar and Ram Kapoor, who have returned after a long break with a fresh story - made it an interesting watch.

'Kuch Toh Log Kahenge': The original was made on the other side of the border, but the story had such a universal appeal that it wowed fans in India too. The Indian version of Pakistani drama 'Dhoop Kinare', written by Haseena Moin, has hit the tube and guess what? The Mohnish Behl and Kritika Kamra starrer is proving equally good in terms of performances, essence and dialogues. Viewers who were bored with saas-bahu sagas are hooked to it.

'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa: Dancing with the Stars': The dance reality show is not new. This year the fourth season was telecast, but what made it a must watch was Bolllywood Diva Madhuri Dixit's presence in the judges panel along with Remo Dsouza and Malaika Arora Khan. Madhuri's verve and vivacity, 'adas' and 'mudras' mesmerised all and sundry and the show's popularity spiralled to the glory.

'Saas Bina Sasuraal': In most soaps and dramas there is a clash between saas and bahu, but the concept of this show was different. Here a girl marries a guy, whose family abhors women. How she wins their trust and makes a place for herself by sorting out differences and solving issues without bringing in her ego has audiences hooked.

'Bigg Boss': Colors launched quite a few shows, but only 'Parichay' has stood out. Apart from that, the fifth season of their controversial reality show 'Bigg Boss' is getting them the maximum eyeballs. A high dose of drama, disgruntlement and discord is luring viewers and they watch it despite finding it distasteful when some inmates use foul language to show their bitterness towards each other.

'Just Dance': Star Plus struck bull's eye with the maiden season of their dance reality show. If 'Jhalak...' had Madhuri, this one had heartthrob Hrithik Roshan, who made his debut on the small screen as a judge. The Bollywood star's larger than life persona, his phenomenal dancing skills and the connect he established with participants made everyone put on their dancing shoes and enjoy every moment on the show. When he presented eliminated participants with cheques, it just overwhelmed the audiences.

'Maryaada Lekin Kab Tak?': Women's patience and passion, love and hatred, revenge and forgiveness - all this is woven beautifully into this drama that tells the stories of four women bound together by the family thread. The subtlety with which they deal with delicate issues to protect their pride and prejudice makes the show likeable. Despite being a late show, it is a hit.

'Preet Se Bandhi Ye Dori Ram Milaayi Jodi': One of the oldest entertainment channels, Zee TV's major attraction was 'Ram Milaye Jodi'. It has spun an interesting romantic drama between a Punjabi 'kudi' and a Gujarati 'chokra'. The clash of values and lifestyle of two culturally different families keeps the appetite for the show going.

'F.I.R': If you want to have fun, just log on to SAB TV's funny cop drama, in which Kavita Kaushik as inspector Chandramukhi Chautala and her two aides, Gopi and Gulgule, solve cases. It is a laugh riot and one can unwind with the trio's antics.