At a time when content consumption is increasingly defined by endless scrolling and individual screens, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) is placing renewed emphasis on shared viewing experiences. By reimagining game shows and reality television, the broadcaster is seeking to turn formats once considered traditional into powerful unifiers that bring Indian families across generations back to the living room.

According to a press note issued by the company, SPNI’s strategy is rooted in rebuilding the habit of appointment viewing through participation-led formats that encourage audiences to play, predict, learn and aspire together. As viewing fragments across platforms, the network is focusing on collective experiences that restore the sense of immediacy and momentum associated with linear television.

This approach reflects SPNI’s understanding of today’s audiences as selective and value-driven. Viewers respond to formats that offer visible progress and emotional engagement—qualities that game shows and reality programming naturally deliver. This thinking underpins the network’s recent adaptation of ‘Wheel of Fortune’, the world’s longest-running game show, hosted by Akshay Kumar and designed as a participative family experience.

The strategy also aligns with the sustained success of long-running franchises such as ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, which completed 25 years this year. The show continues to draw strong engagement from viewers aged 18–40 across metros as well as Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, aided by its Play Along format that allows audiences to actively participate beyond the television screen.

By blending interactivity with emotion-led storytelling, SPNI is reinforcing the relevance of linear television in a digital-first era. The network’s focus remains firmly on shared, participative viewing that brings families together, rather than solitary consumption across devices.

Commenting on the shift, Makarand Palekar, Head – Linear Distribution at Sony Pictures Networks India, said the future of linear television lies in creating moments audiences choose to watch together. He noted that when formats evolve while retaining their emotional core, they are able to connect across generations. According to him, interactivity, cultural relevance and forward momentum are essential to attracting younger viewers while continuing to serve family audiences that have grown up with these iconic shows.