Core Insights - Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) is introducing the global game show Wheel of Fortune to India, hosted by Akshay Kumar, while JioStar has licensed The Fifty, a large-scale reality competition format from Banijay. This move reflects a trend among broadcasters and streamers to tighten spending and focus on proven formats amid rising production costs and fragmented audiences [1][15]. Industry Trends - The reliance on global formats is a strategic effort to mitigate commissioning risks and ensure predictable viewership in a volatile market. Both Sony and JioStar are established players in non-fiction programming, with successful franchises like Bigg Boss and Indian Idol, which are adaptations of international formats [1][15][12]. - As younger audiences shift away from linear television, broadcasters are seeking high-impact programming that can engage viewers across both television and streaming platforms [5][15]. Production Costs - The production costs for flagship Indian reality shows are escalating, with Bigg Boss estimated to cost around ₹200 crore for a 100-plus episode season, while Indian Idol costs approximately ₹1.5 crore to ₹1.7 crore per episode, and Kaun Banega Crorepati costs between ₹2 crore to ₹2.5 crore per episode [7][15]. - In contrast, formats like Wheel of Fortune are expected to be less capital-intensive, primarily involving expenses for cash prizes and talent, while The Fifty is anticipated to require a higher level of production investment due to its scale [8][15]. Strategic Focus - Sony executives emphasize that globally established formats help navigate a cluttered content landscape, providing advertisers with familiarity and confidence. These formats are integral to Sony Entertainment Television's growth strategy, delivering family co-viewing and predictable appointment viewing [9][10]. - JioStar's content strategy aims to balance home-grown intellectual property with internationally proven formats, focusing on building shows that deliver scale and sustained freshness [11][12]. Market Dynamics - The industry is experiencing fragmentation across television, connected TV, and mobile screens, making it challenging for new formats to gain traction. Global franchises allow for localization while supporting cross-platform audience acquisition [13][15]. - As streaming platforms shift towards longer-running, ad-supported programming, reality shows are becoming central to their content strategies, with ad-led monetization being crucial for success [14][15].