ITV News
SPNI expands into southern markets with Sony Vizha, Sony Telugu launch
Kannada sports, Tamil and Telugu GECs lined up for 2026
NEW DELHI: Culver Max Entertainment, formerly Sony Pictures Networks India, has confirmed the launch of five new channels in its latest Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO), signalling an assertive push into southern language markets.
The slate spans sports and general entertainment. A dedicated Kannada sports feed, Sony Sports Ten 4 Kannada, will debut on 1 April, 2026, marking the first rollout.
The broadcaster has also proposed two Tamil general entertainment channels, Sony Vizha and Sony Vizha HD, slated for launch on or after June 1, 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
In Telugu, two GECs: Sony Telugu and Sony Telugu HD are proposed for launch on or after 1 August, 2026, again contingent on clearances. The RIO notes that the Telugu channel names remain tentative, though the genre and language positioning are locked in.
All five channels carry an a la carte maximum retail price of Rs 19, placing them squarely within competitive bouquet strategies in appointment-driven southern television markets.
The expansion underscores Culver Max’s intent to deepen its footprint in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada ecosystems, long dominated by entrenched regional players and fiercely loyal audiences.
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ITV News
Deepak Bhojwani exits SonyLIV
Advertising executive closes chapter after working on marquee properties from UEFA Champions League to Kaun Banega Crorepati
MUMBAI: Deepak Bhojwani has moved on from SonyLIV, drawing the curtain on an 18-month run that placed him at the centre of some of India’s most powerful television and streaming properties.
Bhojwani served as manager, content partnerships and ad sales at the streaming platform, where he handled more than 45 key accounts and worked closely with agencies to structure advertising deals and brand integrations across major intellectual properties.
The role brought him into the commercial engine room of premium content—from global sporting events such as the UEFA Champions League and major tennis tournaments to flagship Indian entertainment shows including Kaun Banega Crorepati, MasterChef India and Shark Tank India.
During his tenure, Bhojwani also secured key advertisers across marquee events such as the French Open and the Asia Cup, winning the platform’s quarterly “Customer Champion” recognition for exceeding revenue targets.
Before joining SonyLIV, Bhojwani held senior ad-sales and partnership roles across the digital and sports media ecosystem, including stints at Viacom18 Sports, Airtel Digital, Paytm, and OYO. His career spans more than a decade across category building, strategic partnerships, and B2B account growth.
Bhojwani described the stint as a demanding but formative phase that deepened his understanding of the content ecosystem, particularly the fast-evolving non-fiction and sports landscape.
The next destination remains undisclosed. But in an industry where content, commerce and advertising increasingly collide, the next chapter is unlikely to stay unwritten for long.
