GECs
‘Simply Asian’ channel launched in UK
MUMBAI: A new 24-hour entertainment channel called “Simply Asian” was launched in UK on Tuesday.
The channel which claims to be the first free-to-air Asian channel, is available on Sky’s digital platform and requires viewers to purchase a Sky box and dish costing approximately ?70 to access the channel.
Apart from offering a variety of programmes in Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi and Tamil, the channel will show two movies a day, comedy, music, entertainment news, Bollywood blockbusters, established religious programming and the first tele-shopping service on an Asian channel in the UK.
A spokesman for the parent company, Simply Television, owned by British businessman Mike Blackwell, said the concept was similar to that of a free newspaper, which funds its operations through advertising and sales revenue, states a report on www.rediff.com.
Simply Television has also created a network of teleshopping and entertainment channels, including Simply Shopping, Simply Nature and Simply Nostalgia.
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.
