New Delhi: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) on Monday unveiled an expansive festive-season content slate aimed at furthering its strategy of a content-first, platform-agnostic and multilingual entertainment business, the company said in a press release.
Big names, global formats and language growth
The slate combines established intellectual properties (IPs), internationally successful formats adapted for Indian audiences, homegrown concepts and content designed for distribution across television and digital platforms. The network said Sony LIV will serve as the digital home for its entertainment and sports offerings under the new brand positioning, “It All LIVs Here”.
Among the highlights, the long-running quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) Season 18 premiered on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV with the campaign thought “Sochna Padega”, continuing the show’s focus on knowledge and life-changing stories. The slate also brings notable faces and formats to the small screen:
- Madhuri Dixit will host Kon Honar Crorepati, marking a high-profile presence in the Marathi space.
- Rohit Sharma, the cricket captain, will make his entertainment debut on the network with his own show, expanding SPNI’s sports-to-entertainment crossover content.
- Ajay Devgn will front a new season of the true-crime franchise Crime Patrol 2026, which the company said will bring notable real-life cases to viewers.
- Comedy and variety entertainment will include Indian Game Show, hosted by Bharti Singh and Harssh Limbachiyaa, featuring celebrity challenges.
Premium scripted and regional expansion
SPNI’s slate also emphasises premium scripted content for digital audiences. The announcement lists Scam 2010, a series produced by Sony LIV, Birla Studios and Applause Entertainment and directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Hansal Mehta, which the company said chronicles the rise and fall of a major financial empire.
SPNI described the slate as a step towards significant multilingual expansion, signalling investment in regional markets beyond Hindi. The inclusion of high-profile Marathi programming and other language offerings underlines the network’s intent to reach viewers across television and OTT platforms.
What the slate means for viewers and the industry
By bringing a mix of legacy programmes, celebrity-fronted shows and premium scripted series to television and streaming, the company aims to strengthen its content catalogue during the festive season — a period critical for audience engagement and advertising revenue. The strategy to position Sony LIV as the digital hub for SPNI’s portfolio aligns with wider industry trends of broadcasters building stronger direct-to-consumer streaming identities while continuing linear-TV distribution.
| Programme | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 | Premieres on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV |
| Kon Honar Crorepati | Hosted by Madhuri Dixit (Marathi edition) |
| Crime Patrol 2026 | Hosted by Ajay Devgn (true-crime series) |
| Scam 2010 | Directed by Hansal Mehta (Sony LIV original) |
Industry observers will watch whether the integrated approach — pairing big names with regional content and platform-first positioning — delivers higher viewership and subscriber traction for Sony LIV, while supporting advertising and distribution deals on linear TV.
SPNI’s festive slate underlines a broader shift in Indian media: the convergence of television and streaming strategies, the increasing importance of multilingual content, and continued reliance on star power and proven formats to attract audiences during peak viewing periods.
Note: Details were released by the company in a press statement outlining the festive-season programming and Sony LIV’s refreshed positioning.
