This piece is written by Rahul who is one of the people behind the Facebook campaign to bring back the famed TV programme. Please join the Facebook community and do your bit if you want the BQC back like more than 1 Lac people there!
Let’s Bring BQC back!
I believe most kids plug into the world of television long before they enter school. Of course, television, in moderation, can be a good thing. No doubt about it. Television can be an excellent educator and entertainer. But in today’s day and age there is clearly a "lack of quality programming" which needs to be immediately addressed. The last of this genre was Bournvita Quiz Contest on mainstream TV, way back in 2006 & since the time this show has gone off air, there hasn’t been any show as successful as BQC to challenge the kids, entertain them and educate them in the process.
When I recall the days, as a kid I used to look forward to every Sunday morning clutching the TV remote, waiting for BQC to start. Bournvita Quiz Contest holds a ‘nostalgia’ for many of us: we grew up listening to Ameen Sayani on radio and then watching Derek O’Brien on television. I looked forward to the thrill of challenging my knowledge & my uncommon common sense. It disheartens to see that nothing as exuberant as BQC is present anymore for the viewers. The time when ‘Bournvita Quiz Contest’ was aired, was the time when becoming a celebrity meant representing our school in the quiz contest & coming back as the winner. Should we not pass on the legacy of rich knowledge called BQC to the next generation?
Derek O’Brien supports it too
In today’s world, television is dominated by serials & talent shows restricted only to dancing & singing. These shows only promise an illusion of easy life to the viewers! Derek O’Brien has joined our movement now its time you do your bit in taking this movement ahead and bringing back intelligent viewing on television.
Join the BQC page on Facebook
The fans have taken this movement to another level! This started off about 2 months ago and the response has been amazing, with almost 120,000 people wanting BQC Back. It started off as something simple – an experiment of sorts. They are also sending out banners to people who want them – so far 70 people have written in asking for them. If you want your banner or if you have any suggestions on how we can spread this movement together you can email them on bringbqcback[at]gmail[dot]com
Let’s start the golden days of BQC again! 
Childhood friends and a nostalgic conversation over tea brought all kinds of latent memories to the surface and interesting conversations to the table. Right from old flames and tree-houses that we built, to TV shows watched together amidst shrieks of excitement. In fact, the one that usually got us the most excited was the Bournvita Quiz Contest, a TV show with a purpose. I still remember the healthy competition it brought out between us: we pretty much had our own BQC session at home. Now that I think about it, that session was what encouraged us to pay attention and learn so that we would know the answer the next time. I wonder why they stopped the show… it was such a sure-shot way to get children to develop their mind without it seeming like too much work… I really would enjoy it if the BQC returned – better for us and better for the next generation.
Back in the day, when we moved from radio entertainment to TV entertainment, the only show that remained on our radar was the BQC. Does anyone remember the BQC? The Bournvita Quiz Contest seems to be one of those formats that survives not only time, but mediums too. That’s why I was pretty surprised when it suddenly went off air. Why?! It was one of the last few remnants of my past – an element that I could show my kids and actually be proud of from back in my day. I mean, nowadays, with the excessive number of shows on TV, kids are spoilt for choice. They constantly say that I am old and extinct – I was happy to show them that atleast one show that I watched was ahead of its times. And to tell you the truth – they loved it too! That’s what I meant when I said it is still relevant. Where did the BQC go?! I miss it – and I miss my one claim to relevance. Bring it back!
Being up-to-date on current affairs and having vast reserves of general knowledge was a thing to be proud of in my day. We took pride in our knowledge and showed off to our friends when we learnt something new. For example, on the Monday after my regular Sunday-watching of the Bournvita Quiz Contest, I was busy quizzing my friends on the new stuff I had picked up from the show. Today, it seems that kids are more interested in playing video games than watching TV. Maybe if there was more interesting children’s content on TV, more kids would watch. I mean the BQC was an event in my house; we had fun, we learnt, we had a crush on Derek O’Brien and his obvious intelligence, we actually spent time with the family during that time. Maybe if shows like the BQC came back, kids would start paying attention to the important stuff – like being informed and educated Whilst being entertained. Here’s hoping that the folks of the BQC are reading this and planning a return to our screens.
Of late, I have been noticing that quiz shows are on the decline. After the ESPN school quiz Olympiad and the Bournvita Quiz Contest, there have been no edutainment shows that have created an impact. I wonder why that is… Is it because no one wants to learn anything anymore? Or is it that there is no audience for quiz shows? Our children are being deprived of an education through the single most popular mass medium – television. After the advent of the Internet, people seem to have forgotten that it is actually the TV that has the most reach in a country like India. The BQC, for example, used a simple format in a dynamic setting: a charismatic host (Derek O’Brien), a set of well-crafted questions and participants, who kids can identify with – other kids. It was a sure-shot recipe for success – fun, with learning. As opposed to the senseless entertainment onscreen these days. I wonder where those programmes went… BQC people are you listening? It is time you made a comeback!
Childhood friends and a nostalgic conversation over tea brought all kinds of latent memories to the surface and interesting conversations to the table. Right from old flames and tree-houses that we built, to TV shows watched together amidst shrieks of excitement. In fact, the one that usually got us the most excited was the Bournvita Quiz Contest, a TV show with a purpose. I still remember the healthy competition it brought out between us: we pretty much had our own BQC session at home. Now that I think about it, that session was what encouraged us to pay attention and learn so that we would know the answer the next time. I wonder why they stopped the show… it was such a sure-shot way to get children to develop their mind without it seeming like too much work… I really would enjoy it if the BQC returned – better for us and better for the next generation.
Nowadays, flicking through channels has become routine. I have reached the conclusion that there is just nothing interesting to watch anymore. The number of shows on TV seems to increase everyday but their substance is decreasing at a similarly rapid pace. I really miss the days when it the choice was simple and the entertainment was interesting. I’d turn on the TV and there was Antakshari with Anu Kapoor or the BQC with Derek O’Brien. The former satisfying my musical ear and the latter, my need for mind fodder. The Bournvita Quiz Contest especially was such a delight – laughter and fun along with sharpening of the mind. It used to become a family affair, with kids and grandparents, both enjoying the competitive atmosphere it created in the living room. Shows like the BQC actually created a space for themselves in our hearts, as opposed to the programming today that focuses on superficial entertainment. I wonder where they disappeared to?
Recently, I was telling my kids about how things were back in those days – how we spent our Sundays relaxing with the family and eating together, watching TV together. It was family time, as opposed to everyone running off to do his or her own thing these days. Surprisingly, the memory that stands out from those days is of a show we all watched together: the Bournvita Quiz Contest. The BQC was a common choice: everyone of every age enjoyed it. Derek O’Brien asking questions in his clipped accent and kids answering at rates that made me feel like I should keep up: good enough motivation to study! In any case, my point was that the BQC brought us together, which is more than I can say for the violent, sexual content on TV these days. I wish shows like the BQC still existed – at least it would be something the whole family could share together in the limited time we have at home. They should bring it back.
Derek O’Brien where are you?!! Come back I miss the days when me and my friends would have sleep overs just to watch the Bournvita Quiz Contest.We would shout out all the answers even before you’d finish the questions. OMG how long ago was that. Why do they stop all the good shows only? Listen if they bring BQC back, here is one person who would definitely watch. I’ll even get the old gang who used to watch it back together and have ourselves a little BQC reunion party. I know that sounds stupid but what fun!!
I have always loved to see my children playing good games and watching meaningful showw. My daughter Ananya Bhaskar won the All asia Championship of BQC in 2000. How elated and proud we felt at that time could never be forgotten! I would be happy if this TV programme starts again. It will help children to learn more in healthy competition and for their personality development
I have always loved to see my children playing good games and watching meaningful shows. My daughter Ananya Bhaskar won the All asia Championship of BQC in 2000. How elated and proud we felt at that time could never be forgotten! I would be happy if this TV programme starts all over again. It will help children to learn more in healthy competition and for their personality development