GECs
Nimbus protests BCCI award to TWI; cites lower production terms offer
MUMBAI: Left out in the cold by the Indian cricket board in the award of the television production contract for the upcoming India-Pakistan series, Nimbus Sports has shot off a letter asserting its own claim. Reason given: Its offer of $ 1.29 million was the lowest offer received by the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI).
The letter “reconfirms” Nimbus’ “state of preparedness to deliver a world class production” if awarded the contract.
Queried by indiantelevision.com as to his next possible course of action if the board ignored his claims to being awarded the contract, Nimbus chairman Harish Thawani had this to say: “We are actively considering all legal options. We have turned the matter over to our lawyers and we will take a final call on it tomorrow morning.”
To recap, the BCCI this morning awarded Trans World International, the production arm of sports management major IMG (International Management Group), the contract to produce the upcoming India-Pakistan cricket series. The fee TWI is being paid for its services: $1.5 million.
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.
