GECs
Endemol buys back Endemol France from Telefónica
MUMBAI: Endemol has announced a deal to buy back Endemol France from parent company Telefónica.
Endemol has valued the transaction up to 450 million euros. Of this amount 194 million euros will be deferred over a period of four years and will be subject to the performance of Endemol France, linked to the realisation of the business plan 2007- 2010 approved by the Board of Endemol France. The transaction will be financed by bank debt and future cash flow.
In 2006 Endemol France is expected to realise net turnover of around 175 million euros at a normalised EBITDA margin which is considerably above the average of the Group. Endemol France’s business mix is 10 per cent digital media and 90 per cent non-scripted, led by formats such as Star Academy, Deal or No Deal and Watch Your Step.
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.
