MUMBAI: Sony PAL is no longer flying under the radar, it’s soaring. The Free-to-Air Hindi GEC from Sony Pictures Networks India has emerged as the fastest growing player in the Hindi-speaking markets, making its mark with a potent mix of classic crowd-pullers and strategic programming.

According to BARC data (NCCS 15 plus, HSM U+R, Week 14 to 17, 2025), Sony PAL clocked a record 15.6 per cent weekly reach in Week 17 more than any other FTA Hindi general entertainment channel. If that wasn’t enough to raise industry eyebrows, the channel also posted a 51 per cent jump in GRPs over just four weeks, securing its place in the country’s living rooms and lounge-time routines.

So, what’s fuelling this prime-time leap? The answer lies in a nostalgic but effective playbook: shows like Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah and The Kapil Sharma Show television’s equivalent of comfort food now offered on the FTA platter for the first time. These fan-favourite titles have become PAL’s not-so-secret sauce for drawing multi-generational audiences.

While other networks chase trends, Sony PAL is doubling down on familiarity and family-friendly fare, positioning itself as the channel of choice for all-day, every-age entertainment. With its strategic shift to unlock premium legacy content for free access, the channel is not only expanding reach but also reasserting relevance in a saturated GEC space.

In a rapidly changing TV landscape, Sony PAL’s performance proves that good old storytelling when delivered smartly still has the power to win hearts, TRPs, and market share.