The New Year glides in after a turbulent last year. As the year saw a long drawn strike, the end of landmark serials, newly launched channels in financial crisis and many such catastrophes we look ahead at 2009 with hope and expectation. Here is what two of our soothsayers predict for the coming year.

Numerologist and Tarot reader Munisha Khatwani predicts:

Basically 2009 should be a better year for the film and TV industry and generally the entertainment industry will be in a better position than 2008. According to numerology the year is good as it is the year of the Moon and Mars but since most of the stars are retrograde the first half of the year might bring some delays and unexpected results not for the positive. Talking about TV specifically I would like to say that this year will see a lot of romantic story lines in terms of soaps as this year also focuses on the planet Venus which is connected with glamour, glitz and of course love. So I expect love stories to be quite important this year.

The year of the moon also indicates money which means that some months of the year especially post June will be good for finances for the industry. Reality shows will continue to be a trend and big reality shows like jhalak diklaa jaa and others should continue to happen this year. Venus does go retrograde from March to June this year so that this might not be a very good time to launch new shows. Post June the new shows that launch might do better than expected. As far as channels go if they concentrate on romance in their story lines and reality shows that will be good for them. There is also a strong possibility of a new channel launching this year which will be good.

As far as producers go big producers like Ekta Kapoor should see a better year than last year as she has a good Mars and other producers like Rajan Shahi, Sunjoy Wadhwa will be in a good position this year especially May onwards.

Television couples may see a lot of ups and downs from March to June so it is a prior warning to be careful during this phase as misunderstandings and break ups are possible. Overall for the entertainment industry especially television I would not say it would be a bad year but not a great year. It will be the year 2011 that will be great for the industry and 2010 see the trend beginning. So all you TV buffs just enjoy the year but wait for next year to see more dramatic and positive changes.

Dr Kaajal who goes by Rune predictions says:

Rune “Gebo” indicates that 2009 will be a pleasant and a harmonious year for the television industry. The adjoining Rune “Fehu” indicates that the news channels will have tremendous growth. The Rune “Isa” indicates that it is a little bad time for channels that play only songs and movies. The Runes “Hagalax” and “Nauthiz” indicate that 2009 will put the “Saas Bahu” saga on the back stage.

This year will be ruled by romantic or serials with a social message like “Balika Vadhu.” Spiritual and reality shows will run parallel this year. The Rune “Pertho” denotes that the youngsters will give a run to senior actors. College based shows like “Miley Jab Hum Tum” will have good amount of popularity. Serials that show a lot of destruction and negativity will be avoided by viewers.

2009 is a year where producers and directors have to remember that they cannot take the audience for granted. The Rune “Dagaz” indicates that more advertisers will put money on the small screen and it also indicates prosperity and wealth to the so called producers. This year is a year that will give way to the news and combination of Runes suggest that we will have good actors doing good shows.

The Rune “Sowelo” shows an indication of small screen actors going towards the big screen and getting a lot of success. The Runes “Wyrd” and “Thurisaz” also indicate that television will have lot of controversial issues between stars and the makers of stars. The Runes “Lagiz” suggest that it is a time where the writers will have to burn the midnight oil and bring in new ideas if they need the serials to survive. The Rune “Laguz” shows an overall Rune prediction that television shows will have a lot of mirch masala as well as new beginnings, the end of Saas Bahu sagas and the birth of nourishing entertainment and an entertainment filled with awareness and enjoyment.