GECs
Zee bags cricket rights, ESPN-Star loses out
Mumbai: Zee Telefilms Limited, Indias largest media and entertainment conglomerate today accepted the BCCI offer to increase the bid price to US$ 308 million, thus bagging the telecast rights for Indian cricket.
In lieu of the increase in bid price, BCCI has offered 144 days of International cricket, which is likely to go upto 160 days. This is against the earlier indicated offer of 108 days of international cricket for 4 years.
Expressing his feelings after winning the highest ever bid in the history of Indian cricket Subhash Chandra, Chairman Zee Network said, It is an overwhelming feeling to have finally been able to seal the deal which I always believed from the day one was legitimately ours.
Chandra, added, We did not get the schedule of cricket to be played until yesterday and so could share the schedule of payments with BCCI today. Considering all aspects we have accepted the new offer ensuring that the rights for the coveted series lie with the Indias largest media and entertainment conglomerate.
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.
