GECs
Star, ZEE and Sony disconnect services
Mumbai : This morning the three main broadcasters have disconnected their services from cable platforms.
A big question for the advertisers. Are they getting the reach that they have paid for?
The action of disconnection of channels by three of the four leading broadcasters, Star, Sony and Zee, has left the consumers in a lurch. Consumers are bearing the brunt of this showdown since they have not been given adequate information by the broadcasters.
Also read : Broadcasters threaten to disconnect their services on large cable platforms
This pull out is affecting more than 40 mn TV households on a weekend, and that too, while the India – Australia match is being played. The cable operators (MSOs under the aegis of AIDCF) stand united in this fight and more cable operators (MSOs) across the country are joining this showdown with the broadcaster to protect the interest of their consumers.
This sudden action also questions the attitude of the broadcasters towards the various stakeholders including the MSOs, LCOs and lastly, but not the least, the consumers. Are the broadcasters not answerable to the advertisers who have trusted them to give them adequate reach for their advertisements? Are they not answerable to the consumers who have loyally watched their channels? Are they also not answerable for the position in which the MSOs and LCOs have reached?
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.
