GECs

Reality bites: Format shows catching on

Published

21 years ago

April 5, 2005

MUMBAI: Perhaps reality is stranger than fiction, after all. Though the weepy soaps still rule primetime on many channels, format shows have been gaining ground in the country.

In fact, going by the success of shows like Antakshari on Zee, Kaun Banega Crorepati on Star and Indian Idol on Sony, media analysts predict that reality is going to be the next big thing on mass entertainment channels. And as the search for the next big Business Baazigar begins on Zee this month, it’s time to take a closer look at the whole genre of format shows.

The session on ‘Building successful formats,’ at Ficci Frames 2005, revolved around understanding the business of format shows and what makes them tick across the world. The hugely successful Indian Idol was used as a case study for the discussion. What are the reasons for the success of the Indian Idol? Apart from the simplicity and high level of interactivity with viewers, it was also the ability of the show to create memorable characters from the real world.

Sharing his experiences Sanjeev Sharma of Optimystix said, “Although we say that a format show is a non-drama format, it actually succeeds because it has a lot of drama in it. We have worked on various other format shows like Khulja Sim Sim, an adaptation of the American show, Let’s make a deal. This succeeded because the viewer could play along and participate in the show. Then there was Kismey Kitnaa Hain Dum, adapted from the UK format, Night Fever, which had a Karaoke band and was a lot of fun because it revolved around filmi songs. I would say Indian Idol worked because each episode takes the viewer to a high level of interactivity and the beauty of the concept really evolves over episodes.”

Adding to this, Gavin Wood, Director of Production, Freemantle Media said, “The pop idol is one such show which has a record success rate across all the countries. It has given historical ratings across the world and shown a rapid and sustained growth for channels. It’s all about a good unscripted drama which unfolds in front of the viewer. To sum up the psychology of the show, it’s not just about dreams coming true but also about shattering thousands of dreams to which the audience is a witness.”

As for the channel, the format show definitely turned out to be a unique property. Apart from strengthening the Thursday and Friday band, the show raked in more than 5.5 crore votes and TVR’s peaked at 20. But there are many who believe that more than Indian Idol, one has to really take a look at indigenous products like Antakshari on Zee to analyse the success of format shows. Tarun Mehra, representing Zee TV said, “Antakshari on Zee can really be called the longest running format show in the country with about 600 episodes and more than a million people across the world having auditioned for it. Then, of course, Zee has also tasted success with Sa Re Ga Ma and Cinestars Ki Khoj. And now our next big reality show is going to be Business Baazigar which will cut across all TGs.”

But the journey hasn’t been so easy and simple for many in the business. Says, Nikhil Alva, CEO Miditech, “It was in 2000 that we did a reality show called Hospital for BBC. And after that too, it’s been a rough journey trying to change the mindset of broadcasters. Many still believe that reality TV is too depressing and real people don’t make for good viewing. But with Indian Idol we have been able to change the mindset to some extent.”

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GECs

Sun TV posts steady revenue, profit dips amid rising costs

Published

1 month 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

1 month 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

1 month 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.