Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), has announced plans to launch five new television channels across Kannada, Tamil and Telugu markets as part of its latest reference interconnect offer, signalling the broadcaster’s next strategic expansion in India’s southern television ecosystem.

The development reflects the network’s renewed focus on strengthening its regional footprint in sports and general entertainment.

The expansion will be led by the launch of SONY Sports Ten 4 Kannada, scheduled to go on air from April 1, 2026. The new channel is expected to expand the network’s regional sports presence in Karnataka, strengthening its reach among Kannada-speaking audiences and deepening its engagement in the state’s competitive sports broadcasting market.

In the Tamil market, the company has proposed two new general entertainment channels — SONY Vizha and SONY Vizha HD — slated for launch on or after June 1, 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. The word ‘Vizha’, which denotes festivals and celebrations in Tamil, reflects the proposed positioning of the network around culturally rooted entertainment and festive storytelling, highlighting a content strategy focused on regional sensibilities.

The expansion will continue with the proposed launch of two Telugu general entertainment channels — Sony Telugu and Sony Telugu HD — expected on or after August 1, 2026, subject to approvals. While the reference interconnect offer (RIO) describes these as tentative brand names, it confirms their positioning as Telugu-language general entertainment channels, aimed at strengthening the network’s presence in one of India’s most competitive television markets.

Industry observers noted that the broadcaster’s growing investment in Southern television is expected to complement its digital ambitions by strengthening the regional content pipeline for its streaming platform, SonyLIV. A wider slate of Tamil, Telugu and Kannada original programming, along with catch-up content from the new channels, is likely to enhance the platform’s regional appeal and support subscriber growth in South India.

The timing of the Kannada sports launch ahead of the general entertainment entries suggests a calibrated market-entry strategy, focused on building distribution and brand presence in Karnataka before expanding content investments in Tamil and Telugu entertainment segments.