GECs
GST relief for media industry in the offing?
NEW DELHI: There may be some relief for the media industry for certain segments in the offing relating to goods and services tax (GST) with the government open to reviewing certain norms.
According to government sources, petitions from the media and entertainment industry has moved the government to review norms relating to sponsorship services by corporates and other bodies where reverse charge mechanism was not allowed.
Reverse charge mechanism (RCM), which is one of the contentious issues raised late last year by some of the TV channels, has now been suspended until 30 June 2018 according to the sources. The government is also looking at instituting a group of ministers (GoM) to look into RCM and its relevance in GST.
GST, which was welcomed by most sections of the Indian business, has, however, resulted in increased paperwork and spends on manpower for most media companies.
Earlier, it had been envisaged that GST — dubbed as one nation, one tax by the PM Modi government — would reduce the taxation burden on corporate houses and reduce multiplicity of taxes. It had also been envisaged that taxation on entertainment, cable and DTH services would come down under the GST regime as the entertainment tax levied by states would be subsumed in the GST.
However, after GST was rolled out from April 2018, most companies, including those in the media and entertainment sector, realised that GST compliance came with a price and, subsequently, a few states like Punjab have gone on to levy entertainment tax, which, in a way, has neutralised many of the benefits of GST.
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GST: TV prod biz bemoans lack of clarity and increased paperwork
Under GST, taxes on cable, DTH & entertainment services to come down
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.
