GECs
Zoom’s ‘Kuoni Hot Spots’ & ‘Love Bites’ to air from 12 February
MUMBAI: With a view to expand their programming content, lifestyle and entertainment channel Zoom has announced two new shows Kuoni Hot Spots and Love Bites. Whilst KHS is a travel show, Love Bites is an interactive agony aunt kind of show on problems one faces when in love.
For the perfect Sunday viewing, Kuoni Hot Spots starts from 12 February and will air at 11:30 am. And, Love Bites will premiere on Valentines Day, 14 February at 7:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com Zoom programming head Aparnaa Pande said, “The formats that will be presented on both the shows were so far unexplored on Zoom. Our target audience is the metro-centric family and youth. We are confident that these new shows will further strengthen the position of the channel and will be appreciated by our viewers.”
Zoom has a marketing tie up with the title sponsor international travel group Kuoni for KHS. Conceptulized a month ago, Contiloe has produced the show. It’s a 13-episode series to start with.
The series takes viewers to locations where the stars holiday. A Femina Miss India 2005 contestant, Supreet Bedi is anchoring the show on TV for the first time. She takes viewers to some of the hottest destinations for a unique travel experience.
The first two episodes travel to Singapore. The series will also showcase the luxury liner Superstar Virgo and cover countries like Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur and Langakawi), Spain and Austria in the coming weeks.
Designed to be different from the usual travel shows, it includes information ranging from five top things to do, where to stay, to where to dine, and many other such interesting information for travellers.
Zoom anchor Pooja Bedi spoke on the initiative,” From being a window to lifestyle and entertainment in India, Zoom would also be a window to the world with the travel show.”
Samir & Gayatri on Love Bites
Love Bites to be hosted by Samir Kochhar and Gayatri will have viewers call in/SMS/e-mail their love problems to the show. Viewers can also call in with requests for songs. Seher Bedi has produced Love Bites.
“While Samir is funny, amusing and irreverent in the solutions that he has to offer, Gayatri is the sensible one. Depending on the viewers responses, the set and content will be constantly upgraded as the show goes on,” says Pande.
While Samir is an established face on television and has hosted the talk show on sex Dangerous on Zoom, Gayatri is a model and Love Bites will mark her debut on television.
“All the anchors, Supreet, Samir and Gayatri, represent the hot, young image that Zoom is associated with. The channel was receiving numerous e-mails from viewers to get Samir back. His personality fitted in perfectly to anchor Love Bites” says Pande.
Also, viewers can watch the winners of the last two categories of the Red Hot Countdown series. The top 10 Most Wanted Vamps and Villains and Most Beautiful Couples will air on 11 and 12 February at 7:30 pm respectively.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
