GECs
Prasar Bharati takes nostalgic ride with new channel DD Retro
MUMBAI: Prasar Bharati is all set to take people on a nostalgic ride after the success of Ramayan and Mahabharat re-runs with its new fourth general entertainment channel DD Retro. The channel will air some of the old iconic shows like Upanishad Ganga, Mahabharat, and Chanakya, among others. Currently, it is available on DD Free Dish which reaches out to almost 30 million people across the country.
In an earlier interview with Indiantelevision.com, Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati said: "After the news of Ramayan made headlines and social media trends were dominated by it, we have had a flood of rights holders themselves approaching us with iconic content that aired in the past on DD."
Last week, two of Doordarshan's general entertainment channels, DD National and DD Bharti entered the top ten channels list in urban as well as pay platforms. DD National grabbed the leading position with the broadcast of old shows like Ramayan, Mahabharat, Shaktiman, etc. DD National also started airing Subhash Sagar's Alif Laila. Prasar Bharati's aim is to ensure that people will get to watch their favourite old shows during lockdown.
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.
