GECs
Zee launches Gujarati channel in UK
MUMBAI: Zee Network has launched its fifth channel in the UK. The Gujarati channel, catering to the sizable Gujarati community in the UK, will be free to air for a period of time.
“We are delighted to be launching ‘Zee Gujarati’ in the UK. After Zee TV, Zee Music and Zee Cinema and Alpha Etc Punjabi, the launch of Zee Gujarati epitomises our commitment to our viewers in UK to provide the very best in South Asian entertainment,” said Zee Network Europe deputy country head Govind Shahi.
Zee’s subscriber base in the UK comprises 166,000 households and the overall international revenue has seen an increase of 44 per cent. The new channel will become the second regional language channel to be added as part of Zee TV’s European operations since the launch of Zee Punjabi in August 2002.
An official release claimed that Zee Gujarati has already gained a loyal audience in India and is the most popular Gujarati channel since its launch five years ago. Speaking about the programming, the release said, “Zee Gujarati showcases judicious news and festival-centric programmes like Navaratri, mix of classic and contemporary programming, including current affairs, news, talk shows, serials, movies and much more.”
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.
