GECs
Zee enters China; in deal with CCTV
MUMBAI: The Zee Network today announced an agreement with Beijing based China Central Television, China’s largest national TV network.
China Central Television has licensed to Zee Network, the use of news and other programs from CCTV International (CCTV-9). They have also authorised Zee to pick up their signals and transmit it over the Zee Network. Zee Network in turn will license to China Central Television the use of its news and programs. Both the networks will exchange news programmes, documentaries and feature programs introducing each other’s culture, history, geography, economy, etc. for telecast.
It was in July that Indiantelevision.com first reported that Zee was planning to enter China.
Zee Network and CCTV will enhance cooperation in program production including television dramas, films and feature programs. The exchange of television dramas and programs will be mainly based on purchase. Both sides shall take care of all copyright obligations for all programs to be provided to the other party.
Speaking on the signing of this agreement, Mukund Cairae, Head – Asia Pacific, International Business, said, “We are very pleased to announce this agreement with China Central Television. China is an important market and we are optimistic about audience response there. This initiative is a step towards promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the people of India and China. Jointly the populations of India and China total a third of the world population. With interactions such as these, we will responsibly make our populations aware of the rich cultural heritage that exists in Asia.”
Adding further he said, “We will not be charging licensing fees from each other for news programs. This contract is valid for two years and is extendable on mutual agreement.”
CCTV president Huayong Zhao said, “Interactions such as these will facilitate better understanding between the people of China and India and will pave the way for future cooperation between our two countries.”
In addition to this content sharing agreement, China TV week will be held in India and India TV week in China with television hosts from both sides appearing on TV together in the same TV week. As part of the TV week, both sides agree to broadcast each other’s programs half hour per day, seven days in series.
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.
