Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) unveiled an expansive festive-season content slate on Monday, 10 August, anchored by marquee names including Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Ajay Devgn, and cricket captain Rohit Sharma. The announcement signals one of the network's most ambitious multi-platform programming pushes in recent years, spanning Sony Entertainment Television, Sony LIV, and Sony Sports Network.

KBC 18 Kicks Off the Season

The festive programming has been launched by the return of the iconic reality game show Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18, which premiered on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV on Monday at 9:00 PM. Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan returns as host, with the season built around the campaign thought 'Sochna Padega'. KBC remains one of Indian television's most enduring formats, and its 18th outing is expected to set the tone for the network's festive ratings push.

Star Debuts and New Formats

Cricket icon Rohit Sharma is set to make his television debut with his own dedicated show — a notable crossover from the cricket field to the small screen. Meanwhile, Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn will step into the host's chair for Crime Patrol 2026, a true-crime series that will present extraordinary real-life crime cases in what the network describes as a 'unique style.'

Popular television couple Bharti Singh and Harsh Limbachiyaa will co-host an Indian game show featuring celebrity participants taking on fun challenges. Additionally, Bollywood's Madhuri Dixit will host Kon Honar Crorepati, the Marathi-language edition of the celebrated KBC format.

Scam 2010 and Premium Drama

Sony LIV's premium drama offering this season is Scam 2010, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Hansal Mehta. Produced in association with Birla Studios and Applause Entertainment, the series chronicles the rise and fall of a massive financial empire. Mehta's previous work in the 'Scam' franchise set a high benchmark for Indian streaming drama, and this instalment is among the most anticipated titles of the slate.

Regional Spotlight: Tamil Audiences

Sony LIV is making a concerted push for Tamil-language viewers this season. Samantha Ruth Prabhu will feature in the cooking reality show MasterChef Tamil, bringing her considerable star power to a format that has performed strongly across regional markets. Separately, Tamil Idol — the Tamil adaptation of the celebrated singing competition — will feature Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman in the search for Tamil Nadu's next singing talent.

Three Months of Multi-Sport Action

Sony Sports Network rounds out the slate with an extensive live sports calendar. Viewers can look forward to the India tour of Sri Lanka, the Women's T20 Asia Cup, the Asian Games, and India's all-format tour of New Zealand — amounting to three months of continuous multi-sport coverage. The sports programming reinforces SPNI's dual-screen strategy of pairing premium entertainment with live sport to maximise festive-season viewership.

With this slate, Sony Pictures Networks India is positioning itself as the destination of choice across language, genre, and platform for the festive quarter.