GECs
Zee TV encrypts; rivals allege severe problems; company says no way
Zee Telefilms’ effort to migrate the free to air (FTA) analogue Zee TV to pay TV digital mode is facing teething problems. At the time of writing, rivals and some cable ops alleged that the channel is not available in almost 70 per cent of Indian cable and satellite TV homes ever since the analogue FTA beam was switched off on Sunday, 10 June. Zee, however, strongly denied this.
“They have not been able to distribute enough of the digital IRDs nationally,” alleged an official from a rival channel. “The result is that the channel is not available in most of interior India.”
Zee Telefilms CEO RK Singh denied this was true. “The figure is actually the reverse. Zee TV is available in almost 70 per cent of Indian cable and satellite homes,” he says.
According to him, a distribution team of 80 is beating the streets in order to reach the IRDs to cable TV operators. “So far, 4,500 digital boxes have been distributed. Another 2,000 should be rolled out in the next eight to 10 days and all the problems will be sorted out,” he reveals. “Viewers have nothing to worry about. Ditto cable TV operators.”
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.
