GECs
Star Bharat aims to expand its reach within HSM: Kevin Vaz
Mumbai: There was a buzz about Star Bharat’s revamp when many shows including “Meri Gudiya” and “Kartik Purnima” were axed during the lockdown. Now, in a conversation with IndianTelevision.com, Disney Star head for network entertainment channels Kevin Vaz confirms that with a new content lineup, the channel is gradually shifting towards its new concept philosophy of romance-laden family entertainment shows.
“With new content lineup, Star Bharat is aiming to expand its reach to a larger Hindi speaking market (HSM). The channel already has a loyal viewer base in Delhi, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh. We will commission new shows along this line targeting more Hindi speaking states including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Some part of Bihar, Rajasthan etc,” Vaz highlights.
After Start Plus, Star Bharat is the second-largest Hindi GEC from the aegis of Star with a stronghold in the three largest Hindi-speaking markets – Delhi, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh. And with its revamp plan, the channel is all set to grab more eyeballs from viewers as well as advertisers.
Star Bharat announces ‘Swayamavar: Mika Di Vohti’ to amp up programming lineup
Throwing some light on their content strategy to fulfill their goal to reach a larger audience, Vaz says that the channel has no plans to stick to a particular genre. Rather they are aiming to establish Star Bahrat as a light-entertainment hotspot that offers something interesting to all age groups but romance and entertainment will remain the central theme for all programmes.
“With our recent launches ‘Woh Toh Hai Albela’ and ‘Swayamvar: Mika Di Vohti,’ we have demonstrated that Star Bahrat will have a mix of shows themed on romance and entertainment,” he shares.
Adding onto his statement, Vaz says that based on their research they have identified romance as a central theme and we can expect future launches crafted around the romance theme.
Last month the channel launched “Woh Toh Hai Albela”- a show already creating a buzz in the market, followed by their recent launch “Swayamavar: Mika Ki Voti.” The channel is also planning to launch “Gud Se Meetha Ishq” and “Kall Bhairav” in the coming months.
“If we take a deep look at the shows being launched, it can be said that the channel is keeping love as its basic theme but the content is full of variety,” he says, adding that, “We have just begun with fresh content. We have more shows in the pipeline which will add value to its bouquet of content in the next six months,” he further adds.
While the sponsors and advertisers are not yet revealed for the upcoming programming, it is expected that this expansion of content bouquet will help Star Bharat become a new favorite for advertisers across categories.
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.
