GECs
The History Channel to launch ‘Crime & Investigation Network’ in Sub-Saharan Africa
MUMBAI: The History Channel UK, a joint venture between A&E Television Networks (AETN) and British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyb), has announced the launch of Crime & Investigation Network in Sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa, with MultiChoice Africa on 26 February.
Crime & Investigation Network will be carried on DStv, and will be broadcast on channel 69, with transmission in English. Programming, marketing and operations will be managed by The History Channel UK, informs an official release.
Real crime, real people, real drama – Crime & Investigation Network promises to open the door to crime labs, police archives and courtrooms, providing a behind-the-scenes look at criminal investigations, probing unexplained mysteries and examining the lives of infamous murderers and villains. While police work to crack some of the world’s most fascinating crimes, viewers witness first-hand as law enforcement agencies utilize old fashioned detective techniques and the latest forensic investigation tools to solve cases – both new and cold.
Crime & Investigation Network will feature acclaimed investigative series, documentaries and specials from AETN, as well as locally acquired and produced programming, and will be available to over 1.4 million subscribers in 55 countries, adds the release.
The History Channel UK commercial director Ian McDonough said, “The History Channel UK is delighted to be launching Crime and Investigation Network in Africa. As our second channel in the market it shows both our commitment to Africa, as an exciting emerging market, as well as to our partners, Multichoice, and their high quality channel portfolio.”
“We are pleased to bring Crime & Investigation Network to Africa with MultiChoice,” said AETN executive vice president, enterprises Steve Ronson. “Since its debut in 2005, viewers and platforms worldwide have responded enthusiastically to CI and its compelling storytelling, and we expect similar success in Africa.”
MultiChoice South Africa general manager for content Aletta Alberts said, “MultiChoice and AETN International have enjoyed a very successful working relationship, a good example of this is the introduction of The History Channel on MultiChoice’s DStv platform in December 2003. The History Channel has enjoyed unprecedented success in our market and we are confident that the Crime and Investigation Network will enjoy the same success. We believe that the addition of the Crime and Investigation Network will be a great asset to our bouquet as we continually strive to provide our viewers with high quality content that is both entertaining and informative.”
Crime & Investigation Network marks the second channel launched by The History Channel UK and AETN with MultiChoice. The History Channel launched in Sub-Saharan Africa in December 2003.
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.
