Reality
Banijay Asia’s The 50 tops OTT charts with 6.5 million views
Reality format outmuscles cricket and premium dramas to become JioHotstar’s most-watched show
Mumbai: In a streaming arena crowded with cricket and big-ticket dramas, a reality gamble has paid off. Banijay Asia’s The 50 has clocked 6.5 million views on JioHotstar, emerging as the most-watched show on OTT, according to Ormax Media’s latest viewership report.
The feat is notable. The show held its own even as audiences toggled between the ICC World Cup, women’s international cricket and premium scripted fare such as Dhurandhar.
Adapted from the global format Les Cinquante, The 50 ranks among India’s largest reality experiments. It corrals 50 high-profile names from television, reality franchises and the digital world into a palace-style set-up, where survival hinges on strategy and social manoeuvring rather than audience votes.
Its sharpest twist is commercial as much as creative. The final cash prize is not pocketed by the winning contestant but by one of the winner’s registered followers, chosen via the platform. The device turns fans from spectators into stakeholders, and engagement into currency.
“The success of The 50 only reaffirms that Indian audiences are ready for bold, innovative and truly global formats when they are thoughtfully localised. To emerge as the most-watched OTT show amid marquee sporting events and premium scripted titles is a testament to the strength of the format, the scale of production and the power of audience engagement built into the show. At Banijay Asia, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of unscripted entertainment—creating formats that are not only culturally resonant, but also redefine how audiences participate in and experience reality content,” said Deepak Dhar, founder and group ceo, Banijay Asia & EndemolShine India.
The format has travelled well abroad, with adaptations across key markets. Its Indian run, Banijay argues, shows how global IP can be localised through culturally tuned casting, scale and storytelling.
The win also caps a strong year for the studio. Over the past 12 months, many of the most-watched unscripted titles across platforms have come from Banijay Asia, underlining its grip on the premium reality and non-fiction segment. Its recent slate has repeatedly topped charts, blending creative ambition with commercial punch.
Founded in 2018 as a joint venture between Banijay Entertainment and Deepak Dhar, the company straddles genres and screens. Its scripted roster includes The Night Manager, The Trial, Hostages, Call My Agent: Bollywood, Fall, Dahan, Matsya Kaand, Undekhi and Tribhanga, with Indian versions of Monk, House and Suits in the pipeline. On the unscripted side sit titles such as Rise and Fall, Temptation Island, The Kapil Sharma Show, MTV Roadies, The Voice, The Big Picture, Into The Wild with Bear Grylls and Case Toh Banta Hai.
For now, the numbers do the talking. In the dogfight for digital attention, The 50 has turned format into firepower—and viewers into the final prize.
Reality
SPNI honours distribution partners with special Wheel of Fortune episode
Trade partners step into spotlight as contestants in unique TV tribute
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India has rolled out a special episode of Wheel of Fortune dedicated to its distribution partners, turning the spotlight on the very network that keeps its channels running across millions of homes.
The episode, part of the show’s debut season in India, saw trade and distribution partners invited to the set not just as spectators but as participants. Some even stepped up as contestants, swapping control rooms for the studio floor in a rare behind-the-scenes experience.
Hosted by Akshay Kumar, the show offered partners a first-hand look at the scale and mechanics of a large-format television production. The actor also acknowledged their often unseen role in ensuring content reaches audiences nationwide.
This marks the first time in India that a broadcaster has dedicated an entire non-fiction television episode to its trade fraternity, highlighting the importance of collaboration in the broadcasting ecosystem.
Speaking about the initiative, Sony Pictures Networks India head linear distribution Makarand Palekar said, “Distribution has always been a critical pillar in SPNI’s growth story. Our partners are not just enablers of reach, but key collaborators in building the television ecosystem. This initiative was our way of celebrating the business together in a unique way, acknowledging the trust and long-standing relationships that power our network.”
Industry partners echoed the sentiment. GTPL managing director Anirudhsinh Jadeja noted that such initiatives make partners feel genuinely included, while GTPL chief business officer Paramveer Jadeja highlighted the scale and attention to detail behind the production.
Adding to the chorus, ICNCL partner Suresh Sethiya described the experience as memorable, offering a deeper appreciation of the craft behind television content. Fastway director Sarabjit Singh said the initiative underlined the importance of strong industry relationships.
The move aligns with SPNI’s broader focus on non-fiction programming, with a portfolio that includes popular titles such as Indian Idol, Kaun Banega Crorepati, MasterChef India and Shark Tank India.
By turning the camera towards its own ecosystem, SPNI has served up a simple reminder that behind every successful show is a network of partners who help bring the picture home.
