GECs
Discovery finalises plans for first local Indian production
MUMBAI: Foreign channels have discovered that the best way to penetrate the Indian market further is through dubbing and procuring locally relevant content.
Discovery will now go a step further with its Travel and Living Channel. Plans have been finalised for two shows that will air on Travel and Living later this year. In the past Discovery has enjoyed success with its Discover India time band. Here it buys documentaries from producers on a variety of subjects which it then airs on Saturdays at 9 pm, with a repeat telecast on Sundays at 9 am.
However the latest initiative marks the first time that Discovery will develop original concepts for commission to local producers. One show is based on cities in India. This six- episode series is currently in production. The second series, comprising 13 episodes, is about food and is currently in pre production.
While confirming the development a Discovery spokesperson refused to divulge further details saying that the shows would air in the October – December 2005 period. He added that one episode for one of the shows had already been shot.
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.
