GECs
Sony Entertainment Television crosses 100 million subscribers on YouTube
NEW DELHI: After being a leader in the linear TV space, Sony Entertainment Television (SET) is making waves on the digital front too. The channel has reportedly crossed 100 million subscribers on YouTube, according to a press statement it released on Tuesday.
SET’s YouTube channel had crossed the 1,000-subscriber mark in 2009, followed by 10 million in 2017, 50 million in 2019, and 100 million now. Since 2019, its YouTube channel has been registering an average of two million subscribers every month, making it one of the biggest subscriber bases for a broadcast brand.
From hosting reality shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati to offering Kapil Sharma’s rib-tickling comedy and making India groove to some hypnotic dance moves in Super Dancer, the channel has attempted to headline the category with diverse genres and formats, bringing some of India’s most popular faces to the living rooms. It has also brought inspiring stories of women empowerment with shows like Ladies Special, Patiala Babes coupled with airing India’s longest-running crime shows CID and Crime Patrol that catered to a generation of audiences.
“We are delighted to hit the 100 million subscription mark on YouTube as the first broadcaster globally. This milestone is a testimony that Sony Entertainment Television’s content performs exceedingly well across all three platforms – Sony Entertainment Television, SonyLIV, and YouTube. This trans platform content success helps us create a robust content pipeline that brings quality, variety, and novelty,” said Sony Pictures Networks digital business head – growth and monetisation Manish Aggarwal.
With this, SET also becomes the first television channel in broadcasting history, as well as the fourth entity to globally reach 100 million subscribers on YouTube, said the company in a media statement. According to the broadcaster, its YouTube channel has reached over 278 million unique viewers globally in the last 90 days and registered more than half a billion (over lifetime) likes, shares, and comments for its engaging content.
YouTube director – content partnerships Satya Raghavan said, “Their popularity is testimony to the fact that quality television content can have longevity on YouTube and foster loyal and vibrant communities. Their shows on YouTube are reaching new and diverse audiences every day and we are happy to see the Sony franchise grow across all screens simultaneously.”
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… connection because this time, the game isn’t just about winning, it’s about who’s with you. Sony Pictures Networks India is gearing up to launch a new reality game show, Tum Ho Naa, expanding its unscripted slate with a format that promises both emotion and engagement.
The show will premiere soon on Sony Entertainment Television and stream on Sony LIV, with Rajeev Khandelwal stepping in as host. Known for his measured screen presence and selective choices, Khandelwal’s return to television adds a layer of familiarity and credibility to the upcoming format.
While specific details of the gameplay remain under wraps, the positioning suggests a reality format that leans as much on emotional resonance as it does on competition, an increasingly popular blend in Indian television, where audiences are gravitating towards content that offers both stakes and storytelling.
Khandelwal, reflecting on his return, noted that his choices have often been guided by instinct rather than convention, describing Tum Ho Naa as a project that feels “close to the heart”. His association also signals Sony’s continued focus on anchoring new formats with recognisable faces who bring both relatability and depth.
The launch comes at a time when broadcasters are doubling down on original non-fiction formats to drive appointment viewing, even as digital platforms expand parallel reach. By placing the show across both linear television and OTT, Sony appears to be aiming for a dual-audience strategy capturing traditional viewers while engaging digital-first consumers.
As the countdown to premiere begins, Tum Ho Naa positions itself not just as another game show, but as a reminder that sometimes, the biggest prize on screen isn’t the jackpot, it’s the journey shared along the way.
