GECs
Taj TV to produce Cricket Plus channel for DirecTV in the US
MUMBAI: Taj TV has reached an agreement with US pay TV platform DirecTV to produce its new Cricket Plus Channel which goes on air later this month.
Taj TV operates the channel Ten Sports in India.
The 24 hour cricket channel has rights to all ICC competitions for the North American territory as well as cricket from the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
DirecTV will broadcast matches live, on a pay-per-view basis, while Cricket Plus will show delayed coverage of matches as well as broadcasting same day highlights.
Along with the cricket coverage the channel will also broadcast daily sports news bulletins as well as other sports relating to the South Asian community living in the U.S. such as hockey. Cricket Plus has acquired the rights to broadcast live all the major international hockey events including the men’s and women’s world cups and the Champions Trophies.
DirecTV VP international programming Aaron McNally says, “Cricket Plus is an exciting new addition to our cricket programming lineup and we believe it will attract a large and loyal following among DirecTV customers. With its 24-hour, in-depth coverage, this is the perfect channel for cricket lovers and we’re pleased to be the exclusive provider of Cricket Plus in the United States.”
The Dubai based Taj TV says that it already has experience in running some of the best known sports channels for a variety of clients through its Dubai Media City operation, currently handling Ten Sports Middle East, Ten Sports India, Ten Sports Pakistan, ART Prime Sport, Showtime Sportsnet, Showtime Sportsnet America and Citrus TV.
Taj Television CEO Chris McDonald said, “Taj TV is delighted to have entered into this agreement with DirecTV. With the expertise within our organisation working on Cricket Plus, the US market is assured of a first class cricket channel.”
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.
