GECs
Sony-speak from India head NP Singh
Mumbai: For all those who have been speculating about the future of NP Singh, one of the most spotlight-shy CEOs, at Sony in India following the impending merger with Zee Entertainment, there is no need to keep guessing. Singh’s future is not only secure, but his role is actually going to be expanding, in the overall scheme of the Japanese MNC.
This is amply evident from the fact that Singh shared centre stage at Sony’s annual corporate strategy day presentation in Tokyo mid-last week, along with group chairman & CEO Yoshida Kenichiro and Sony COO & CFO Totoki Hiroki.
At the meet, Sony executives reiterated that India is one of its pivotal markets. Singh highlighted that Sony Research India is actively collaborating with Sony Pictures Releasing India to develop AI models, such as video analytics, recommendation engines and speech recognition. This aside, Singh pointed out to other successful initiatives such as Sony Talent Ventures (with Sony Music) and the Hero project initiated by Sony Interactive Entertainment that is grooming game development talent, which are being ramped up even further..
The affable and soft-spoken Sikh revealed that its streaming service SonyLiv has managed to sign on 33.3 million subscribers globally, with an annual ARPU of Rs 573, according to a report in The Mint.
Singh emphasised that “India is a global economic powerhouse and an opportunity destination for artists, content creators, game developers, studios, platforms and technology companies. Our efforts in India are aligned with Sony’s purpose of filling the world with emotion and we strive to push the boundaries and go beyond what is expected.”
As far as the merger with Zee is concerned, Singh pointed out that it is still awaiting regulatory clearances. The expectation is that it should be completely green-signalled by the first half of this financial year. “Upon closing, it will enable us to expand our kind of content creation and strengthen connections with diverse communities within India,” he stated.
As has been reported, Singh is slated to get bumped upstairs as the chairperson of the combined entity, while current Zee MD & CEO Punit Goenka is to be given the former’s charge.
However, since the marger still has some distance to go, Singh has since reorganised SPNI with Danish Khan being handed Sony’s digital initiatives and Neeraj Vyas being made responsible for the company’s GEC broadcast business.
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.
