GECs
Star Plus to telecast the first-ever Hindi-dubbed Oscars
MUMBAI: Star Plus has signed an exclusive multi-year agreement with Buena Vista International Television Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP) for the broadcast of the international version of The Annual Academy Awards in India. The international version is an edited version featuring highlights of the original telecast.
The telecast marks a significant milestone for Star Plus as it becomes the first broadcaster to telecast the Oscar in Hindi.
“We are excited that Star Plus will be broadcasting the Oscars in Hindi for the first time in India, a country with a strong affinity for movies,” said BVITV-AP senior vice president and managing director Steve Macallister. “The Academy Awards is a celebration of cinematic achievements and for the Oscars to telecast on Star Plus, one of Indias leading general entertainment channels, makes for a wonderful partnership.”
“We have successfully brought the Oscars live to India on Star Movies for a number of years. We are sure the first ever Hindi telecast of the Oscars on Star Plus will be received with the same enthusiasm. We are committed to making this experience memorable for our viewers,” said Star India COO Sameer Nair.
For BVITV-AP, the agreement was negotiated by Joyce Yeung, Regional Director / Sales and Amit Malhotra, India head.
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.
