GECs
Raj TV plans major restructuring, B Shankar rejoins from Turner
MUMBAI: Raj TV has undertaken major restructuring for its top mangement. The first step is the re-appointment of B Shankar, who joins as vice president sales and marketing from Turner International India where he was director sales western India.
Shankar joined Turner in January last year, prior to which he was with Raj TV in the capacity of national sales head – Mumbai. Shankar’s last day at Turner was 10 January and he will be taking on his new responsibility at Raj TV from 24 January.
Apart from this, Vissa TV head R Radhakrishnan has been made Raj TV vice president brand development and research. Radhakrishnan will also be taking on his new responsibility from 24 January.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com Raj TV CEO Rajiv Nambiar says, “We are in the process of restructuring our organisation and were looking for an all India sales head. Since we had an old relationship with Shankar, we roped him in.”
Nambiar informs that they will also be making more appointments in the programming, production, management and value added services’ areas. Citing the reason for this, he says, “The year 2004 saw competition hotting up in the South and hence for obvious reason we decided to take this move. We will be converging our team between 24 – 30 January and will be chalking out our growth strategy.”
Both Shankar and Radhakrishnan will be reporting to Nambiar.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Shankar says, “I always wanted to be in the all India broadcast league and that was the reason why I put in my papers at Turner International, where I was only handling western India. With my new responsibility at Raj TV, apart from handling the all India sales and marketing for the channel, I will also be closely involved with new programming initiatives and creative execution. Hence, I will be playing a larger role.”
Shankar will also be involved in building the channel’s international business and will be handling the Sri Lanka market. Speaking on his association with Turner, he says, “It has been a great experience to work with Turner’s team and I have thoroughly enjoyed my stay there.”
Turner International India vice president all India advertising sales Monica Tata, on the other hand says, “Shankar worked closely with our team at Turner and we wish him the best of luck for the future. The details of his replacement are still under process and hence cannot be shared at the moment.”
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.
