GECs
Star appoints Ross Crowley as senior VP programming
MUMBAI: Star today announced the appointment of Ross Crowley as senior vice president programming. Crowley will be reporting to Star COO Steve Askew.
Crowley will have direct responsibility for Star World and Star Movies. He will also work with the local programming teams in strengthening the companys content development.
A media veteran with over 15 years of experience in the industry, Crowley joins from Foxtel in Australia where he was head of programming, responsible for programming strategy and channel operations across the companys owned and operated channels. Prior to Foxtel, Crowley worked for Nine Network Australia.
Commenting on the appointment, Askew said, “Bringing great content to viewers region-wide is Stars top priority. Ross, with his proven credentials and ability to deliver results, will be a tremendous addition to our team. I have no doubt he will bring a new dimension to our programming development, helping us to further enhance the quality and diversity of our offerings throughout the region.”
“I’m excited to be joining Star, Asias leading broadcaster, and in particular, having the opportunity to work with its talented team. Adding to Star’s programming strengths, as the company grows in the region, is one of the challenges I look forward to,” said Crowley.
Crowley holds a Bachelors degree in Management Studies from Waikato University in New Zealand.
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.
