~ One of India’s most credible celebrations of cinema to premiere at 8:00 PM IST ~
Promo Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWdLCypiHRk/?igsh=MWhmaHV4ODE3c2R4YQ==
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) is set to bring the culture of LIVE awards back to screen as the Chetak SCREEN Awards 2026 goes LIVE across Sony Entertainment Television (SET) and Sony LIV on 5th April 2026 at 8:00 PM IST.
Recognised as one of India’s most credible honours in cinema and storytelling, the Chetak SCREEN Awards celebrate excellence across Indian filmmaking while spotlighting the creative forces shaping the industry. This year’s edition will feature a star-studded event as we witness a powerhouse of hosts like Alia Bhatt, Farah Khan, Sunil Grover, Zakir Khan, bringing together the worlds of cinema, music, comedy, and pop culture all on one stage.
In a first for the property, the awards will be experienced live across linear television and the streaming platform underscoring SPNI’s content-first, platform-agnostic approach. The ceremony will air on SET and stream on Sony LIV, alongside a live broadcast on the SCREEN Awards’ YouTube channel, expanding its reach to a wider, digitally native audience and will also be available for audiences on 7th April 2026 on Sony Entertainment Television’s YouTube channel.
By leveraging the combined strength of its linear and digital ecosystem, SPNI aims to transform the awards into a high-impact, real-time cultural moment for its viewers—driving both scale and deeper audience engagement.
COMMENTS:
Nachiket Pantvaidya, Chief Content Officer, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI):
“At Sony Pictures Networks India, we are delighted to reintroduce the strong culture of LIVE awards back to our screens. By bringing SCREEN Awards LIVE across Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV, we aim to deliver a real-time celebration to our viewers so they can experience the biggest moments in cinema at the comfort of their homes. This star-studded showcase is designed not just as an awards ceremony but also as a high-impact entertainment property with moments that will keep the viewers engaged throughout. We are proud to partner with the SCREEN Awards as it defines authenticity and credibility which aligns with our brand vision at Sony Pictures Networks India.”
Anant Goenka, Executive Director, Indian Express Group:
“The Chetak SCREEN Awards 2026 represents the scale at which we want to engage our audiences today—at a time when content consumption is increasingly digital-first and platform-agnostic. Audiences expect to experience moments like these real-time, across screens and on their own terms. With a strong multi-platform distribution strategy and trusted partners like Sony Pictures Networks India, we are ensuring that this celebration of cinema reaches millions in a meaningful way. What sets the Chetak SCREEN Awards apart is its foundation in credibility with the rigorous process followed by members of the not-for-profit SCREEN Academy. As we take these awards live across platforms, our focus remains unchanged—to recognise cinematic excellence with the same rigour and integrity that audiences associate with The Indian Express Group.”
To further amplify the awards’ reach and visibility, Adani Airports comes on board as the OOH partner, while The Award Gallery joins as the Trophy Partner.
Watch Chetak SCREEN Awards 2026 live on Sony Entertainment Television, Sony LIV and SCREEN Awards’ YouTube channel, on April 05, 2026, at 8:00 PM IST.
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About Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited (formerly known as Sony Pictures Networks India):
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) is the consumer-facing identity of Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, Japan.
A leading media and entertainment conglomerate, SPNI comprises 28 Premium Channels in both SD and HD formats, including leading Hindi General Entertainment Television Channels – Sony Entertainment Television; Sony SAB and Sony PAL; Marathi General Entertainment Channel – Sony Marathi; Bangla General Entertainment Channel – Sony AATH; Hindi Movie Channels – Sony MAX, Sony MAX 1, Sony MAX 2 and Sony WAH; renowned destination for sports fans – Sony Sports Network comprising Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 4, Sony Sports Ten 5; Kids Entertainment Channel – Sony YAY!; English Movie Channel – Sony PIX; Factual Entertainment Channel – Sony BBC Earth; Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) channel in the US and Canada – Sony KAL; Digital entertainment OTT platform – Sony LIV and the independent production venture for original content and IPs for TV and digital media – Studio NEXT. This Network reaches out to over 700 million viewers in India and is available in over 150 countries.
Recognised as an employer of choice within and outside the media industry, SPNI is a recipient of several awards, including India’s Best Companies to Work For 2021 by the Great Place to Work® Institute, India, Exemplars of Inclusion in AVTAR & Seramount’s Most Inclusive Companies Index 2024 and listed as one of the 100 Best Companies for Women in India for eight consecutive years by AVTAR & Seramount. In recognition of the company’s unique workplace culture and exceptional people practices SPNI won the ET Future Skills 2024 for Best Learning Program Supporting Change Transformation Business Strategy, and the TISS LeapVault CLO Awards 2024 for Best Employee Engagement Program and Best Games Based Learning Program.
SPNI is in its 30th year of operations in India. Besides having overseas subsidiaries, it has a subsidiary MSM-Worldwide Factual Media Private Limited, and an affiliate, Bangla Entertainment Private Limited in India.
For more information, log onto www.sonypicturesnetworks.com
About Sony Entertainment Television:
Sony Entertainment Television (SET), one of India’s leading Hindi general entertainment television channels, is a part of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI). Since its launch in October 1995, SET has created a unique space of being the ‘Thought Leader’ in the Indian Television industry with path-breaking content and innovation in the entertainment business.
Over the years, SET has continued to bring forth an impressive array of impactful urban stories delivering on the promise of novelty, variety, and quality with finite shows like Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, Heena, Bade Acche Lagte Hain, Kuch Rang Pyaar Ke Aise Bhi, Patiala Babes, Beyhadh, Ek Duje Ke Vaste, Mere Dad Ki Dulhan, Kathaa Ankahee and several others. Apart from these, socio-mytho and historical shows like Shrimad Ramayan, Mere Sai, Vighnaharta Shree Ganesh, Porus, Chandragupta Maurya, and Punyashlok Ahilyabai amongst others have also enjoyed positive viewership.
SET pioneered new waves in television programming with home-grown formats like Super Dancer, Superstar Singer, and India’s Best Dancer. Furthermore, SET revived Kaun Banega Crorepati, which redefined its weekday appointment viewership and introduced viewers to a globally acclaimed business reality show with the launch of SharkTank India. Shows like Indian Idol, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, The Kapil Sharma Show, Comedy Circus, and Dus Ka Dum have further strengthened its weekend leadership.
SET’s international feed is available across the US, UK, Africa, Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives, Malaysia, Indonesia, Fiji Islands, and Seychelles.
About Sony LIV:
Sony LIV is an Indian OTT platform by Sony Pictures Networks India’ (SPNI) providing multi-screen engagement to users on all devices. The digital streaming player is home to 27 years of rich content from the library of Sony Pictures Networks India’ (SPNI) with over 40,000 hours of programming. Sony LIV subscribers get exclusive access to key sporting events from across the globe, the latest Hollywood shows, Originals, 18,000+ hours of TV shows and LiveTV. With 100 million+ app downloads, the platform has original series and movies across languages like Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu. The platform’s recent originals include Freedom at midnight, The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, Maharani, Tabbar, Avrodh, Your Honor, Undekhi, Scam 1992 – The Harshad Mehta Story, Gullak, Mayasabha amongst others and reality shows like Shark Tank India and Million Dollar Listing India.
Apart from being the official Indian streaming partner for key global sporting events, Sony LIV keeps its viewers entertained throughout the year with live cricket, football, tennis, Wrestling, Golf, esports, racing and fight sports. The platform has been offering its subscribers a host of premium international tournaments like the UEFA Champions League, Asia Cup, UEFA Euro, Australian Open, Roland Garros, Bundesliga, UFC, FA Cup, UEFA Europa League to name a few. The platform also has exclusive rights to bilateral series of key cricket boards- Sri Lanka Cricket, New Zealand Cricket and England and Wales Cricket Board.
