GECs
Big Magic goes seasonal
MUMBAI: In a country where daily soaps rule, Big Magic, the flagship general entertainment channel of Reliance Broadcast Network, is all set to adopt a new seasonal format.
Starting 29 December, the channel with its core positioning of being chatpata har pal, will introduce seasonal formats across its popular shows like Har Mushkil Ka Hal Akbar Birbal, Uff Yeh Nadaniyaan, Ajab Ghajab Ghar Jamai and MahiSagar. With this format, the channel aims to emphasise on freshness in characters, more comedy twists in plots, new themes in a four week long season format.
New seasons for the shows kicks off as below:
Uff Yeh Nadaniyan – 29 Dec
Har Mushkil ka Hal Akbar Birbal – 15 Jan
Ajab Ghajab Ghar Jamai – 12 Jan
Mahisaagar – 19 Jan
With the seasonal format kicking in, the channel will see transformation in existing characters, new character introductions new high points – with an unpredictable climax at the end. It will continue its episodic formats but will bring in more comedy, quirky and over the top elements to garner a higher space in the comedy genre. The season will be divided into – premieres, mid-season and season finale.
Talking about the new season format, Reliance Broadcast Network creative director Uditanshu Mehta said, “At Big Magic, we regularly aim to bring in innovation and newness across our shows. Our regular innovation and programming spikes have ensured time spent on our channel has increased excellently over the past few months, and alongside has audience expectations. This move is part of our endeavor to ensure we deliver to our discerning viewers a truly chatpata experience through our programming.”
The channel emphasises that the move will also allow marketers an effective window which can be perfectly timed to their campaigns, since they can now partner seasons, which are shorter and ensure high audience engagement.
As a part of the larger programming strategy, Big Magic will be incorporating interesting storylines in their leading shows.
The spikes will be marketed heavily across television, radio and digital, ensuring excellent promotions and reach with a 360 degree marketing plan.
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.
