GECs
Raj TV to go pay from 1 Feb, launch Telegu, Tamil music channel
MUMBAI: All the channels are stepping up preparations for gearing towards the implementation of conditional access system (CAS).
Raj TV plans to go pay with effect from 1 February, close on the heels of Gemini TV.
Several cable operators in western and northern parts of the country, meanwhile, have pulled these vernacular language channels from the prime band unless the viewers ask for the same.
As for Raj TV’s plans, on the anvil is a revamp of the current programming mix. The channel is also in the process of setting up a new Tamil music channel, and also plans to get into film production, reports say. Raj has also announced the launch of a Telegu channel.
According to media reports, Raj TV plans to invest an estimated Rs 1billion in launching a Telugu channel in March 2003, for which talks are on with venture capitalists. Cinevistaas, AVM and Telephoto Entertainment are among those that are slated to produce new shows for the revamped Raj TV.
The new Telugu channel will however be a news based channel aimed at the rural population as well as women in Andhra Pradesh. Sun’s Gemini and Eenadu’s ETV are the current top contenders in the satellite channel stakes in the state. The new channel will have a new logo, a new name and a fresh infusion of manpower.
Raj TV, which has teleport facilities in Chennai, will uplink the new channel from the same facility.
As part of the value additions the long delayed music channel from Raj TV, tentatively titled Melody, intends a soft launch around Valentine’s Day. It would offer primarily Tamil music (70 per cent) while other regional fare would comprise about 30 per cent.
Having made three mid-budget films, feature length film production is also a venture Raj TV plans to explore. The intention now is to get bigger budget films produced with popular stars.
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.
