HCM CITY (VNS) — Two new comedy shows produced by HCM Television are expected to become a hit this year.

Trong Nha Ngoai Pho (At Home-On the Street) and Hoi Ngo Danh Hai (Gala of Comedians), broadcast once a week on HTV7, feature one- and two-act skits by talented actors, including Nhat Cuong, Huu Nghia, and Thanh Thuy.

HTV has worked hard to create the shows specifically with a young audience in mind.

"We will offer a series of comedies featuring meaningful stories to entertain and improve the life skills of youngsters," Nguyen Minh Hai, head of HTV's theatre office, said.

He has invited stars Bao Quoc, Kim Ngoc, and My Chi to perform in the shows.

Popular children's programmes such as Em Yeu Lan Dieu Dan Ca (I Love Folk Tunes), Vuon Am Nhac (Music Garden), and Vui Cung Hugo (Joy with Hugo) have been revamped to help young viewers to improve their basic knowledge, life skills, and singing and dancing ability, enabling them to be more confident while speaking and sharing with others.

The highlight is expected to be Em Yeu Lan Dieu Dan Ca, broadcast on Tuesdays and Saturdays, which encourages youngsters to learn about traditional music.

It features young performers like Quang Anh, Phuong My Chi, and Phuong Trinh.

A new programme, Em Yeu Khoa Hoc (We Love Learning Science) broadcast on Monday evenings, is an experiment by HTV that seeks to both education and amuse children.

Hai stressed the need for more airtime and better scheduling for children's programmes.

"We have worked to air children's programmes at 6.30pm every day to attract young viewers, who have left school but not begun to do their homework."

Producing a programme for children costs HTV spends around VND10 million (US$500), including a royalty of VND500,000 for the director, he said, adding it only cost VND2 million five years ago.

To improve the quality of its children's programmes, HTV has also tied up with private entertainment companies to improve the skills of its personnel and bring in modern technology. — VNS