GECs
Zee crowns France with Jodha Akbar as drama gets its own royal channel
MUMBAI: France just got a royal new resident and she’s arriving with enough fanfare to fill a palace courtyard. Zee Entertainment UK has rolled out Jodha Akbar as a standalone single-IP channel on Samsung TV Plus in France, giving the country’s audiences a dedicated window into the iconic historical romance that has already captivated millions worldwide.
The exclusive channel marks a significant expansion of Zee’s European footprint, becoming the network’s eighth channel launch in the region. It also builds on the surging popularity of Zee One, which has already cultivated a loyal French fan base hungry for Indian storytelling, costumes, and high-stakes historical drama.
Jodha Akbar hailed globally as one of Zee’s most-watched and most-adored shows has travelled across continents, with dubbed and subtitled versions clocking millions of viewing hours. Now, French viewers can stream the saga seamlessly on Samsung TV Plus (channel 4277), Samsung’s free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) service that reaches consumers via Samsung TVs, Galaxy devices and Smart Monitors.
Announcing the launch, Zee Entertainment president of international and digital businesses Amit Goenka said the move strengthens the network’s long-standing commitment to stitching together cultures through storytelling. “Jodha Akbar is one of the most acclaimed and watched shows on Zee internationally. By partnering again with Samsung TV Plus, we continue our legacy of building bridges between languages, cultures and communities,” he noted.
Samsung, too, sees the partnership as a cultural win. Samsung TV Plus country lead France & MENA Antoine Chotard said, “Teaming up with Zee allows us to bring a truly iconic and culturally rich series to Samsung TV Plus in France. We’re excited to launch this remarkable IP and look forward to its success.”
The launch also reinforces Zee’s momentum in FAST distribution and connected TV platforms, a category that is accelerating globally as viewers shift towards free, ad-supported, always-on entertainment. With 300 plus channels already part of Samsung TV Plus’ expansive offering, Jodha Akbar joins a premium line-up tailored for mainstream audiences seeking global stories in local formats.
For Zee, the standalone channel is much more than a distribution win, it’s a statement of intent. By giving a single show an entire channel in a major European market, Zee signals its confidence in Indian content’s international appetite and enduring emotional appeal.
And for France, it’s an invitation into a world of politics, passion, power and palace intrigue now just one click away on Samsung TV Plus, channel 4277.
The empire has officially expanded.
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.
