Sony TV snaps up Wheel of Fortune rights; Akshay Kumar to host Indian edition

MUMBAI: One of television’s most enduring franchises is spinning into India. Sony Pictures Networks India is set to launch Wheel of Fortune, the world’s most popular game show, fronted by Akshay Kumar and positioned as a flagship prime-time property for 2026.

A fixture of American television for decades, Wheel of Fortune has been crowned the most-watched entertainment show in the US by Variety, certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s most popular TV game show and decorated with multiple Daytime Emmy Awards. Now, Sony is betting that its blend of puzzles, pace and spectacle will strike the same chord with Indian viewers.

The Indian edition will be anchored by Akshay Kumar, whose television pull remains formidable. Five of his satellite premieres have crossed 2.5+ TVR, according to BARC data from 2019 to 2025, reinforcing his status as a reliable audience and advertiser draw.

Sony is planning one of its largest integrated launches in recent years, stitching together Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV to deliver a single, cross-screen proposition. For advertisers, the pitch is clear: mass reach on television, precision targeting on digital and a unified narrative across devices.

Nachiket pantvaidya, business head, Sony Entertainment Television, said the network was extending its tradition of importing proven global formats. Wheel of Fortune, he said, would be a “high-energy entertainment engine” and a powerful brand-building platform across television and digital.

Akshay Kumar called the show a global favourite with rare multi-generational appeal, adding that its puzzle-led thrill would resonate strongly with Indian audiences. With Sony’s linear and digital reach combined, he said, the format was primed to engage viewers “like never before”.

The format has been licensed by Highgate Entertainment, LLC, with Frames Production Company producing the Indian version for Sony Pictures Networks India. Viewers will also be able to play along via Sony LIV, adding a layer of interactivity to the broadcast.

This is more than another format adaptation. With global IP heft, a marquee host and an all-platform rollout, Wheel of Fortune India is being positioned as both a ratings weapon and an advertising juggernaut. The wheel is set. The stakes are high. And Sony is clearly ready to spin big.