GECs
Rishtey refreshes content line-up; extends early prime-time slots
MUMBAI: In light of free to air (FTA) channels claiming a chunk of ratings according to the all India data by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India, Viacom18’s FTA channel Rishtey is all set to ride the wave by launching a volley of fiction offering covering seven days a week as well as by extending its early prime time slot. Additionally, the channel will be sprucing up its weekend programming by introducing kids-friendly content and airing blockbuster movies.
What’s more, along with the introduction of new shows, Rishtey will also be refreshing its channel packaging.
With festivities kicking off in style, Rishtey’s first major outing in 2016 will be the launch of a romantic drama Salaam-E-Ishq, a love-hate story of Zain and Aliya set against the Muslim milieu. The show is set to launch on 11 January and will be aired from Monday t0 Saturday at 9 pm. Pertinent to note here is that this is the same show that previously had its run on Rishtey’s sister channel Colors as Beintehaa.
Aiming to cater to audiences across age-groups and demographics, the channel will also be extending its early prime time slot, starting from 5 pm with the introduction of shows like Pammi Pyarelal at 5pm , Hamari Saas Leela at 5.30 pm, Kitni Mohabbat Hai at 6pm and Yeh Pyaar Na Hoga Kam at 6.30pm.
In 2016, Rishtey will also be giving prominence to kids’ entertainment and focus on interesting content that will cater to the young audience as part of its Sunday morning programming.
The fun filled animated series Chhoti Anandi will capture adventures of an eight year old brave and righteous kid Anandi as she explores innumerable escapades in the company of her friends. Additionally the enchanting tales of Vikram and Betal in Kahaani Vikram Betal Ki will further strengthen the entertainment quotient on Sundays. Chhoti Anandi will air from 17 January at 10 am and will be followed by Kahaani Vikram Betal Ki at 11 am.
What’s more, the channel will also be showcasing the Sansui Colors Stardust Awards, which will be aired on 10 January at 7 pm.
Some of the movie premieres lined up on the channel include movies of 2015 like Manjhi and Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2.
Along with the content line up, Rishtey will engage viewers with a series of marketing activities, which includes daily as well as weekly on air contests.
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.
