GECs
Asia Television Forum kicks off tomorrow in Singapore
The Asia Television Forum (ATF), Asia-Pacific’s largest TV programming market, opens its second presentation tomorrow at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort, Singapore. The ATF – open to registered buyers and sellers only – will run till 7 December and will also debut Asia Animation, Asia’s first exhibition dedicated to animation as well as a one-day top-level industry summit involving government participation from the region.
The full-day ATF summit will discuss the strategic direction of the Asia-Pacific TV industry and the major trends expected to shape business across the region in the year ahead, an official release said. Areas of discussion range from financing and content creation for a new environment to regulations and government involvement. The summit is organised by Television Asia, which will also present nine conference sessions during the three-day market. The conference track will address technological trends such as digital animation and special effects for the new media, which will complement the exhibition.
Among those making presentations at the conference are AK Madhavan, senior V-P international business, Crest Communication Ltd and Nandini Vaidyanathan, COO, UTV Toons.
ASIA ANIMATION: Asia Animation 2001, Asia’s first ever exhibition dedicated to animation, will take place in conjunction with the ATF.
Asia Animation will provide a technical and creative showcase for an international pool of creators, producers and distributors. This is in line with the rising popularity of programmes employing animation techniques. Asia Animation will serve as a showcase for the technology that lies behind animation programmes, many of which will be transacted at the ATF.
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.
