GECs

Code Red to present a special series ‘Talaash’

Published

11 years ago

April 20, 2015

MUMBAI: Folklore and urban legends have, over the years, impacted human behavior and played a critical role in shaping our belief in the existence of the paranormal. While to many these folklores are figments of imagination, most urban legends stem out of human frailties. After successfully tackling various topics like suicide, violence against women and children, and entrapment, COLORS’ solution-driven show, Code Red will now throw light on some of the most popular paranormal occurrence in the country and narrate the untold story behind every supernatural incidence through a brand new series titled Talaash. To take viewers through tales that have influenced their mindsets, COLORS has roped in Anita Hassanandani and Shaleen Malhotra. Produced by A Lost Boy Productions, Code Red’s Talaash series will narrate urban legends and popular ‘hearsay’ that have impacted the society and will go on-air starting 20^th April, 2015 at 10:30 PM on COLORS.

Speaking about the launch of the new series, Manisha Sharma, Programming Head – Colors said, “Through Code Red, we have sensitized viewers about issues that impact society based on human frailties while empowering them to deal with inner and outer demons. Through the initial episodes on Code Red, we have created a ray of hope to viewers who might have been on the verge of giving up. After Umeed, Awaaz and Chakravyuh, we are now announcing the Talaash series – which brings to light stories that set beliefs in society. Our aim is to bust popular myths that have been passed along generations, forming opinions and set patterns in people. As another aspect of human frailty comes forward, we hope to inform viewers about the existence of certain paranormal energies around us.”

Commenting on the series, producer Vikas Gupta from A Lost Boy Productions said, “There are stories of oddities and abnormalities which have, over the years, become legends. Code Red’s Talaash series promises to create an engaging proposition for viewers while building empathy for the wandering spirits along with the underlying message of hope.”

Code Red Talaash touches upon the unknown and the reasons why these paranormal energies exist while building empathy for them in the minds of the viewers. The series highlights the lasting impact that injustice has had on the minds of those offended. Very often, the impact affects that soul of the person wronged; much after the person is deceased. An unusual yet humane way of addressing the unknown, Code Red Talaash aims at demystifying popular myths and urban legends that have been passed along generations.

Commenting her association with the show as an enabler of change, Anita Hassanandani says, “We are often told by our friends and family members to not go to a particular place owing to some unkown energies that might have existed there, making us form superstitions in our mind. These beliefs are then passed on to our acquaintances and then take the shape of an urban legend that the society blindly accepts without questioning its authenticity. Code Red’s Talaash series investigates these superstitions and strives to create a sense of relatability in the minds of viewers for the unknown phenomenon which have shrouded their judgments and set beliefs.”

Adding further, Shaleen Malhotra comments, “The concept of Code Red’s Talaash series is very intriguing and different. It is not a horror show; in fact, it talks about incidents that we have all heard of and adds an emotional quotient to it – making us empathize with these supernatural elements.”

Some of the tales that will be revealed on Code Red’s Talaash during the course of the show include an autorickshaw story based in Mumbai’s suburb of Borivali, a legend about a water-well in Rajasthan, and even the true story behind the ‘unsafe’ claim for Delhi’s Cantonment Road. Television’s well-known faces such as Asha Negi, Shilpa Saklani, Suhasini Mulay, Sana Amin Shaikh among others will play key roles seen during the course of the show on Code Red Talaash.

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GECs

Sun TV posts steady revenue, profit dips amid rising costs

Published

2 days ago

February 7, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

CHENNAI: It appears there is still plenty of Sun to go around in the Indian broadcasting landscape, even if a few clouds have drifted across the financial horizon. Sun TV Network Limited, the Chennai-based behemoth that dominates airwaves across seven languages, has tuned into a steady frequency for the quarter ending 31 December 2025. While the numbers show a resilient revenue stream, the company’s latest broadcast reveals a few static-filled spots in its profit margins.

For the quarter in question, Sun TV’s total income climbed by approximately 3.31 per cent, reaching Rs 958.39 crores compared to Rs 927.66 crores in the same period last year. Revenue from operations also saw a healthy bump, rising 4.32 per cent to Rs 827.87 crores.

The real star of the show, however, was domestic subscription revenue, which surged by 8.86 per cent to Rs 472.99 crores. This growth highlights the enduring appetite for Sun’s diverse content, which spans everything from daily soaps in Tamil and Telugu to its burgeoning OTT platform, Sun NXT.

Despite the revenue growth, the picture quality of the profits was slightly blurred by rising costs. Eitda for the quarter stood at Rs 409.79 crores, a dip from the Rs 432.14 crores recorded in the corresponding 2024 quarter.

The profit after tax followed a similar downward trend, settling at Rs 316.44 crores against the previous year’s Rs 347.17 crores. Advertisers also seemed to have switched channels slightly, with advertisement revenues sliding to Rs 291.94 crores from Rs 332.17 crores.

Sun TV isn’t just playing on home turf; its sporting ambitions are becoming increasingly global. The network now owns three major cricket franchises: SunRisers Hyderabad in the IPL, SunRisers Eastern Cape in SA20, and SunRisers Leeds Limited in The Hundred (UK).

The foray into British cricket saw the company acquire a 100 per cent stake in Northern Superchargers Limited (now SunRisers Leeds) for approximately £100 million. While these franchises brought in Rs 14.61 crores this quarter, they also incurred corresponding costs of Rs 19.89 crores. Over the nine-month period, however, the cricket business is a major player, contributing Rs 487.64 crores in income.

The company’s bottom line took a minor hit from exceptional items, including a Rs 4.23 crore charge related to India’s new Labour Codes, which consolidated 29 existing labour laws. Additionally, the consolidated results reflect the amalgamation of Kal Radio Limited with Udaya FM, a move that became effective in May 2025 and required a restatement of previous figures.

To keep investors from reaching for the remote, the Board has declared an interim dividend of 50 per cent, that’s Rs 2.50 per equity share. This comes on top of earlier dividends of 100 per cent (Rs 5.00) and 75 per cent (Rs 3.75) declared in August and November 2025, respectively.

With a massive cash reserve and a dominant position in the South Indian market, Sun TV continues to shine, even if the current quarter required a bit of fine-tuning. For now, shareholders can sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

GECs

SPNI hires Pradeep M with responsibility for standards and practices in the south

Published

6 days ago

February 3, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India has hired Pradeep M to handle standards and practices for its southern market, bolstering its compliance bench as content rules tighten across platforms.

Pradeep, who has nearly 13 years in the entertainment media industry, takes on responsibility for content standards in a region that is both linguistically diverse and regulatorily sensitive. His brief spans television, OTT, sports and digital platforms.

He specialises in content review and compliance across shows, commercials, on-air promotions and international feeds, ensuring alignment with broadcast, OTT and advertising codes. He has also handled brand approvals and sponsorship integrations for heavily regulated categories—including online gaming, cryptocurrency, NFTs and lottery brands—offering guidance shaped by fast-evolving rules.

Before Sony, Pradeep worked at Jiostar as assistant manager for content regulation from November 2024 to January 2026. Earlier, he spent nearly seven years at Viacom18 Media, rising from senior executive to assistant manager in content regulation between 2018 and 2024. There he served as a key compliance touchpoint for the network.

His career began on the creative side. Between 2013 and 2018, he worked as executive producer on feature films and television shows, gaining hands-on exposure to production. He also had a stint as a non-fiction show director at Star TV Network in 2017. That mix of creative and regulatory experience gives him a dual lens—how content is made and how it must be managed.

As regulators, platforms and advertisers all tighten the screws, broadcasters are investing more in gatekeepers who can keep creativity within the lines. Sony’s latest hire shows where the industry is heading: in the streaming age, compliance is content’s quiet co-star.

GECs

Colors Gujarati rolls out two new shows from 2nd February

Published

6 days ago

February 2, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Colors Gujarati has unveiled two new prime-time shows as part of its push to strengthen culturally rooted storytelling for regional audiences. The channel will premiere the devotional saga Gangasati–Paanbai at 7.30 pm, followed by the romantic family drama Manmelo at 9.30 pm from February 2.

Inspired by Gujarat’s spiritual and literary heritage, Gangasati–Paanbai: Shyam Dhun No Navo Adhyay draws from the timeless bhajans and poetry of saint-poetesses Gangasati and Paanbai, weaving devotion and human values into a contemporary narrative aimed at younger viewers.

In contrast, Manmelo explores love and responsibility across social divides, tracing the lives of three middle-class sisters whose relationships with three affluent brothers reshape their futures. The show delves into ambition, emotional conflict and the realities of married life, offering a layered family drama.

A Colors Gujarati spokesperson said the new launches reflect the channel’s commitment to authentic Gujarati entertainment that blends cultural values with modern storytelling.