MUMBAI: As the new year 2017 begins, broadcasters across Hindi general entertainment channels, are all set to come up with their big bang shows. Be it Star Plus, Colors, Sony Entertainment Television, Zee TV, Life OK, &TV or Sab TV. Each channel has pulled up its sleeves to offer a wide range of entertainment. On the one hand where Star Plus is launching its grand singing reality show 'Dil Hai Hindustani' from 7 January, Colors is bringing up an international format to India Rising Star.

After strengthening the weekend time slot and rising higher and higher in the GEC space, courtesy its  reality show Super Dancer, Sony is betting big on its weekday programming with some big budget shows. Zee TV too is not leaving any stone unturned when it comes to content experimentation. Life OK changed its programming strategy altogether. Focusing more on the male audience, the channel is now experimenting with content to attract male TG for Life OK.

&TV and Sab TV too have geared up for the race.

With DD’s third auction bidding in December  for the prime time slot, Doordarshan too girded up its loins to launch television shows. Gajendra Singh’s Saaibaba Telefilms and Ekta Kapoor-promoted Balaji Telefilms are putting together programming ranging from family dramas to youth-oriented shows to music reality shows which may lead to the revival of viewership of the network. Indiantelevision had reported that Balaji bid successfully for four slots, and Saaibaba bagged two slots on Doordarshan’s prime time slot auctions. 

Lets see what the Hindi GECs have for their viewers in 2017:

Colors

Rising Star: Originally created and produced by Tedy Productions and Keshet Broadcasting, it has since inception in 2013, enthralled  global audiences with the most vivid talent. With more than 250 episodes globally to its credit, the format has been aired across more than 16 countries including Israel, the U, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, China, Cambodia and Indonesia.

The show is slated to launch in January-end. It will be a weekend programme which will replace Bigg Boss 10. Rising Star’s Indian adaptation will be produced by Optimystix Entertainment.

Another offering from Colors is 'Dil Se Dil Tak', produced by Shashi Sumeet Mittal Production which will probably replace Bigg Boss 10 on weekdays at 9pm.

'Chhote Miyan' featuring the most talented kids from India is back with Season 4. After a gap of four years, the show is bringing a new format and much more laughter and entertainment.

Star Plus

Starting 7 January, Star Plus will launch its first show of 2017. Produced by Frame Production, 'Dil Hai Hindustani' will celebrate the popularity of Bollywood music through talent from across the globe, from different cultures and nationalities, bound by their love for Bollywood. The talent will be judged by an expert panel who put India on the world map of music. The panel would consist of director Karan Johar who travelled the globe to handpick singers while Bollywood’s favourite rapper Badshah will be seen making a debut as a judge on television. Music sensation - Shekhar Ravjiani and Shalmali Kholgade will be seen monitoring the contestants and judging the show.

Another show, 'Meri Durga' directed by Ravindra Gautam and produced by Paperback Films is slated to launch by January-end. Set in the backdrop of Haryana, this show is a drama serial which will dramatise the relationship of a man and his daughter. Star Plus will also be offering 'Nastik' slated to launch by February.

Zee TV

Produced by Sidharth Malhotra’s Alchemy Films, 'Wo Apna Sa' is slated to launch on 23 January in the 10pm time-band from Monday to Friday. The show will have Disha Parmar. And it will be  Ridhi Dogra Vashisth is come back to television after a long hiatus. Zee TV is back with one of its most popular shows 'Saregamapa Little Champs'..  

Sony Entertainment Television

Sony will soon launch one of its most-awaited shows 'Peshwa Bajirao.' Produced by Sphere Origins and creatively produced by Nilanjana Purkayasstha's company Invictus T Mediaworks, the show is based on Bajirao Mastani. It is  slated to launch in January and will replace 'Ek Rishta Sanjhedari ka'.

Written by Saba Mumtaz and produced by Rahul Tewary, 'Yeh Moh Moh ke Dhaage' is a series about a family which is set in Gujarat. The story of the new show revolves around three lovers.

Life OK

Produced by Saurabh Tewari in association with Life OK, Ghulaam promises to focus on life in Berahampur, especially the atrocities meted out against women and focus on the men who rule the land. The men here will go to any length to terrify all to rule this town where  the law of the land has no jurisdiction. The show will be aired from 16 January from Monday to Friday at 9pm.  Another show, 'Har Dard Ka Mard,' is the new offering from Life OK this month. It has been produced by DJ's  Creative and is directed by Parmeet Sethi.