GECs
Channel [V] heats up Asia’s live concert scene
MUMBAI: Pan Asian music broadcaster Channel [V] is heating up Asia’s concert scene with a series of live concerts to be staged in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore in January 2007.
The channel will bring music aficionados music and live concerts from such diverse acts as operatic supergroup Il Divo; Grammy-winning R&B singer-songwriter-pianist John Legend; and post-grunge modern rockers Hoobastank. The brioadcaster is also promoting the concerts of Korean sensation Rain in Malaysia and Singapore.
Star executive VP, content Ross Crowley said, “These concerts celebrate Channel [V]’s commitment to bringing world-class music to Asia both live and on-air. We’re proud to support these and other outstanding international and Asian musicians with original programming, concert ticket giveaway contests and dedicated online initiatives. Channel [V] is devoted to promoting quality music throughout Asia.”
Channel [V] has associated itself with a number of other international artists’ Asian tours. The channel was the official TV partner of the concerts of British rock group Oasis, Grammy-winning hip hop singer Kanye West, New York punk pioneer Blondie, Glasgow rock quartet Franz Ferdinand and sassy pop act Pussycat Dolls. In addition, sister channel STAR WORLD was the official TV partner for the July 2006 concert of Coldplay in Hong Kong and the upcoming Eric Clapton tour, which will take the legendary guitarist and singer through Hong Kong and Singapore early next year.
To build up momentum for the concerts of Il Divo, John Legend, Hoobastank and Rain, Channel [V] will launch a number of programmes such as the Il Divo Special and a series of special On the Record episodes.
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.
