GECs
Barry Jossen promoted to Touchstone Television EVP production
MUMBAI: Barry Jossen has been promoted to executive vice president, production, Touchstone Television, it was announced today by Mark Pedowitz, president, Touchstone Television, to whom he reports.
Jossen will continue to oversee production of all Touchstone Television’s original programming, including series, pilots, late-night, variety, made-for-television movies and miniseries.
In announcing Jossen’s promotion, Mark Pedowitz said: “Barry’s singularly focused goal is to make great television. Without a doubt, he has unequalled production expertise and a respect for the business side of creativity. But it is his creative instinct and innovative approach to production management that has ensured Touchstone’s position as a sought-after studio for talent. That is what warranted this promotion.”
Jossen was heavily involved in the studio’s expansion into basic cable production, having supervised the highly-acclaimed “Playmakers” for ESPN in 2004. This year his team oversaw production of “Tilt” for ESPN, and presently has several pilots and series in pre-production for ABC Family and Lifetime.
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.
