GECs
&TV ropes in multiple sponsors for two new weekend shows
MUMBAI: &TV has roped in multiple sponsors for two new shows Deal or No Deal and Agent Raghav – Crime Branch, which are slated to go on air from 5 September.
SnapDeal has come on board as the title sponsor of the game show Deal or No Deal, powered by PayU Money and supported by Syska Total Security. On the other hand, Agent Raghav is co-powered by Quick Heal Gadget Securance and Quikr Cars.
As was reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, &TV plans to ramp up its weekend programming starting 5 September with the family game show Deal Or No Deal in 8 pm slot and the crime thriller Agent Raghav – Crime Branch in the 9 pm slot.
&TV business head Rajesh Iyer said, “Launch of Deal or No Deal opens up a new time slot of 8:00 pm for weekend viewing on &TV and Agent Raghav – Crime Branch will be replacing The Voice India which has established a loyal viewership. While Deal or No Deal as a format has been experimented with in the past, our approach is new and we are confident that the viewers will enjoy this show. Ronit as a host was our first choice. The kind of connect he has with the audience is immense and I am sure this will only encourage weekend viewing. Agent Raghav – Crime Branch marks our foray into the crime-mystery genre and we believe there is a considerable amount of appetite for the same.”
To be aired twice a week, the show will be launched with a bank of 26 episodes for 13 weeks.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Endemol Shine India managing director and CEO Deepak Dhar said, “Deal Or No Deal is a hugely popular format internationally and has been aired in almost 130 countries. The show did fantastic in its time and it’s a classic game show of ours. So we are bringing it back in a different avatar – a game, which you can play with your family. Last time it was played with 25 models, this time it will be played with 26 friends and family.”
With a contemporary look and international appeal, Agent Raghav – Crime Branch is the channel’s entry into the crime genre with popular actor Sharad Kelkar in a completely different avatar – that of Agent Raghav Sinha. Talking about the same, Iyer said, “With Agent Raghav – Crime Branch, we have aimed to present an intelligent crime and mystery series with sleek execution, fresh look that is designed for the Hindi GEC audience.”
Commenting on commercial advertising, Madison Media COO Karthik Lakshminarayan said, “Deal Or No Deal is a tested format and has done well but the audience has moved on from then. It’s a dated show and it will be interesting to see its quote. As for Agent Raghav, I’m told it is on the lines of an international detective show and I’m sure it’s bound to do very well as it’s exciting.”
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.
