GECs
Zee intensifies focus in south, redesignates Ajay Kumar as head of south initiatives
MUMBAI: As part of intensifying its focus on the Southern states, Zee Network has redesignated R Ajay Kumar as head of the south initiatives.
Kumar now has an additional charge and independently heads the distribution business of all the 32 Zee and Turner Channels in all the four southern states, says an official release.
Earlier, he was the business head of Zee’s south-language channels.
Kumar has been associated with Zee Telefilms in last one and half years, spearheading Zee’s South foray by launching two of it’s South-focused TV channels – Zee Telugu and Zee Kannada.
Zee made its first move by launching regional channels in Bangla, Marathi, Gujarati and Punjabi, and then came Zee Telugu in 2004.
Also in the pipeline is the launch of Tamil and Malayalam language channels, the two lucrative and difficult markets to penetrate.
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… connection because this time, the game isn’t just about winning, it’s about who’s with you. Sony Pictures Networks India is gearing up to launch a new reality game show, Tum Ho Naa, expanding its unscripted slate with a format that promises both emotion and engagement.
The show will premiere soon on Sony Entertainment Television and stream on Sony LIV, with Rajeev Khandelwal stepping in as host. Known for his measured screen presence and selective choices, Khandelwal’s return to television adds a layer of familiarity and credibility to the upcoming format.
While specific details of the gameplay remain under wraps, the positioning suggests a reality format that leans as much on emotional resonance as it does on competition, an increasingly popular blend in Indian television, where audiences are gravitating towards content that offers both stakes and storytelling.
Khandelwal, reflecting on his return, noted that his choices have often been guided by instinct rather than convention, describing Tum Ho Naa as a project that feels “close to the heart”. His association also signals Sony’s continued focus on anchoring new formats with recognisable faces who bring both relatability and depth.
The launch comes at a time when broadcasters are doubling down on original non-fiction formats to drive appointment viewing, even as digital platforms expand parallel reach. By placing the show across both linear television and OTT, Sony appears to be aiming for a dual-audience strategy capturing traditional viewers while engaging digital-first consumers.
As the countdown to premiere begins, Tum Ho Naa positions itself not just as another game show, but as a reminder that sometimes, the biggest prize on screen isn’t the jackpot, it’s the journey shared along the way.
