GECs
Zee commissions reality TV show ‘Prisoner of War’, set to launch 17 new serials
Zee TV on Monday laid down the gauntlet to its rivals and announced the commissioning of India’s first ever Reality TV show. Announcing the launch of POW (Prisoner of War), Indian television’s pioneering effort in the realm of reality TV, Partha Pratim Sinha, senior vice-president marketing, Zee TV said: “Reality television has already proved its credentials in the West, becoming the most popular genre of television ever. The reality TV concept has caught the imagination of viewers across the world, irrespective of age, sex and social background. We are today presenting the future of Indian television.”
According to Sinha: “POW and Reality television are the spearhead of a brand new programming initiative being developed by Zee TV. This initiative will see the roll out of over 17 new programmes over the course of the next two months. While we have already rolled out some of the new programmes such as Aanchal ke Chaoon Main, Ankahee, Gardish, Samandar and Hamare Tumhare, we will shortly be introducing further additions to our programme portfolio. This will make Zee’s programming content the most comprehensive of any channel in India.”
Madhavi Mutatkar, president, Zee TV, said while announcing the new shows being introduced by Zee TV, “Zee’s programming content is undergoing significant changes, providing the viewer with a channel which ensures a multiplicity of choice and viewing delight. Zee’s positioning as an entertainment channel with broad based appeal will be enhanced by these additions to our channel. Shows such as Chandan Ka Palana, Resham Ki Dori, Sansaar, Ek thi Rajkumari, Yeh Dil Kya Kare, Pradhanmantri are scheduled to air over the course of the next few weeks. These programming innovations by Zee will provide wholesome entertainment for TV audiences in India.”
POW is a Zee in-house production and will be directed by Vivek Agnihotri. The contestants will be called next week and there will be nine per show, Sainath Aiyar, Zee’s head corporate communications, said.
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.
