GECs
Discoverys new intl co-production to examines life and death situations
MUMBAI: Discovery Networks in association with Channel 4 and Granada International will co-produce a series that looks at humans dealing with life and death situations.
For this purpose UK production company Darlow Smithson Productions (DSP) has been roped in for the 10 part series titled Alive.
The show uses first person testimony and high-end dramatic reconstruction to tell stories such as that of a father who must decide whether to leave his 9-year-old son alone in a cave to go to find help after they have spent days stranded in a frozen wilderness.
Other cases include a landmine clearance expert captured by the Khmer Rouge who sees an opportunity to escape but knows that he would be leaving his two Cambodian colleagues to a certain death. Granada International has the worldwide rights outside the UK and US. Rcently DSP appointment of Richard Sattin as its head of documentaries.
Sattin has produced over 150 hours of international co-productions across USA Europe and Asia. Sattin will be responsible for developing new programme ideas and overseeing documentary production. Richard’s existing projects and development slate will be folded into DSP.
Sattin says, I have been approached before by other companies and investors but Darlow Smithson is where it instinctively felt right. They are a really progressive company but with a strong tradition of high quality programming and I’m thrilled to get the chance to help enhance their reputation by concentrating on what I feel I do best generating and producing films that make a difference.
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.
