SonyLIV, the popular Indian streaming platform, has revealed an exciting roster of over 20 new and returning shows for 2024. Alongside this, the platform is also expanding its focus on content. The year 2023 saw the success of shows like “Scam 2003,” “Chamak,” “Charlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley,” and the “Tanaav” remake of “Fauda,” which has been renewed for a second season. Additionally, the second season of the Emmy-nominated series “Rocket Boys” was released.
A Multilingual Content Lineup
In 2024, SonyLIV plans to explore various regional languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, Punjabi, and Marathi, in addition to Hindi. “We wanted to go with a very robust multi-language content lineup,” said Danish Khan, the Executive VP and Business Head of SonyLIV and StudioNext at Sony Pictures Networks India, in an interview with Variety.
The Hindi-language lineup features renowned filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya making his streaming debut with “Badaa Naam Karenge,” a family drama scheduled to premiere during the Diwali holiday in November. Other notable shows include Sudhir Mishra’s “Summer of 77,” which is set in a university during the Indian political emergency of 1975-77, and “Raat Jawan Hai,” a modern and quirky series tackling contemporary issues. Additionally, there is “Civil Lines,” a family drama by Durgesh Singh, the writer of the popular SonyLIV show “Gullak.”
Among the previously announced Hindi-language shows are Nikkhil Advani’s political drama “Freedom at Midnight,” based on the book by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins, as well as the suspense thriller “36 Days.” Ram Madhvani’s “Waking of a Nation,” based on the Indian freedom movement, is also in the pipeline, along with the Indian adaptation of Israel’s “Magpie” titled “Kan Khajura.” Second seasons of “Tanaav” and “Chamak,” as well as third seasons of “Undekhi” and “Gullak,” are also on the horizon.
Showcasing Regional Languages
The Telugu-language lineup includes the historical action-drama series “Lords of the Deccan,” which is being developed in association with Rana Daggubati’s Spirit Media. It is adapted from the best-selling book “Lords of The Deccan: Southern India from Chalukyas to Cholas” by Anrirudh Kanisetti. Another Telugu show, “Brinda,” is a female cop story that weaves in the folklore of Andhra Pradesh.
SonyLIV’s Malayalam-language slate boasts the slice-of-life satire “Jai Mahendran” and the thriller “Blindfold.” The Tamil-language series “The Madras Mystery – Fall of a Superstar” delves into a murder case in 1940s British India, helmed by A.L. Vijay. Other Tamil shows include the socio-economic drama “Journey” and the young and vibrant series “Free Love.” Moreover, there are several Marathi, Bengali, Punjabi, and Kannada-language shows in the works.
Expanding Content Focus
SonyLIV is also broadening its content scope to include young adult and Indian family stories. Esports is set to become a prominent feature, with plans for a tournament aimed at the gaming community in India. The platform has enjoyed great success with unscripted shows like “MasterChef India” and “Shark Tank India.” Tamil and Telugu-language versions of “MasterChef India” are slated for release in 2024, along with the second season of “Shark Tank India.” More unscripted shows, including international adaptations and homegrown ones like the quiz show “Quizzer of the Year,” are also on the horizon.
A Growing User Base
SonyLIV currently boasts around 33 million subscribers, primarily through direct-to-consumer (B2C) models. However, the platform is strengthening its position by entering into business-to-business (B2B) deals with partners like OTT Play, Watcho, Times Prime, Airtel, Jio, and Vi. This move has contributed to the platform’s subscription growth. In India, where data rates are affordable and mobile devices dominate content consumption, tie-ups with telecommunication companies have proven fruitful. These collaborations enable SonyLIV to reach a diverse audience across India at a lower cost.
Expanding to International Markets
SonyLIV has set its sights on the U.S. and U.K. markets. While the service is currently available via Sling TV in the U.S., SonyLIV plans to strengthen its presence and launch a more consumer-focused product in the U.S. market from April onwards. Danish Khan expresses the platform’s intention of breaking through the cluttered market with impactful shows in different languages. The company believes that finding strong shows will help them make a bigger impact in the U.K. and U.S. markets.
SonyLIV’s impressive lineup for 2024, its expansion into regional languages, and its plans for international markets indicate an exciting future for the platform. With a focus on diverse content and strategic partnerships, SonyLIV aims to offer a wide range of engaging and entertaining shows to its growing global audience.
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