Sony Aath is an Indian Bengali-language general entertainment pay television channel owned by Sony Pictures Networks, with programming mostly consisting of television series from SET India dubbed in Bengali. It was launched in 2008 as Channel 8, and was later acquired by Sony in early 2009, which subsequently rebranded it as Sony Aath. It is Sony Pictures Networks India's first regional television channel, and in May 2020 was the fastest growing Bengali-language television channel in India over the past four years.[1]

History

In November 2007, Kolkata-based film production house Channel 8 announced to launch a Bengali-language film channel, Channel 8 Talkies, under the banner Bangla Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. The channel was planned to be launched the following month,[2] but was delayed. The company also announced to launch a general entertainment channel by July 2008.[3][4] Channel 8 was launched in March 2008 as a film channel, serving audiences in West Bengal and Tripura, as well as parts of Assam and Orissa. It was originally a free-to-air channel.[5]

As part of Sony Pictures Television International's ambitions to enter the regional television market in India, Multi Screen Media acquired Channel 8 in early 2009. The channel was subsequently rebranded as Sony Aath, officially marking Sony's first entry into the non-Hindi Indian regional market.[5][6] As senior vice president of Multi Screen Media, Tushar Shah handled the channel, who had been consulting the channel for a few months.[6]

Sony Aath created C.I.D. Kolkata Bureau, a local adaptation of the Indian crime detective series CID, premiering in November 2012.[7] The channel was the broadcaster for the Indian Bengali audiences of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, helping it with a whopping 265 per cent rise in viewership.[8] On 8 March 2015, Sony Aath introduced a kids' slot airing on Sundays named "Sunday Funday", premiering with Gopal Bhar.[9] It broadcast the 2015 Indian Premier League in the Bengali language.[10]

Sony Aath began airing Hollywood movies dubbed in Bengali every weekend on 4 July 2021.[11] On 24 October 2022, along with all other SPNI channels, Sony Aath changed its logo in order to align more with Sony's global ethos.[12] In January 2026, Ambesh Tiwari was appointed to head Sony Aath, alongside Sony Pictures Networks' Kids and Animation Portfolio.[13]

Current programming

(title localised as Jashoda Mayer Nandalal)

Animation

Former programming

Dubbed series

Original programming

Animated movies

  • Goyenda Gopal: Antim Pratishodh[26]
  • Goyenda Gopal: Daaba'r Chaal[17]
  • Goyenda Gopal: Sesh Chakranto[17]
  • Nut-Boltu Aar Bhooter Bari[27]
  • Gopaler Buddhi Bhooter Mukti
  • Sarbamani Churi
  • Gopal O Guptachar
  • Cheetar Guhaye Nut Boltu
  • Gopal Banam Alamgir

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Sony AATH emerges as the 3rd most viewed Bangla GEC in FY 19-20". Afaqs!. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  2. ↑ "Channel Eight to launch exclusive channel for Bengali Movies". Afaqs!. 19 November 2007. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  3. ↑ Ajmera, Ankit (24 December 2007). "Channel Eight to launch Bengali entertainment channel". Afaqs!. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  4. ↑ "Kolkata-based Channel 8 to launch Bengali movie channel". Exchange4media. 15 November 2007. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Sony acquires Channel 8 in India". Campaign India. 6 March 2009. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Tushar Shah comes back to Multi Screen Media as senior vice-president". Afaqs!. 20 January 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  7. 1 2 "Sony's CID to kick-start it's Kolkata Bureau!". Adgully. 4 October 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "Sony Aath's Football of a Time". Afaqs!. 14 July 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Sony Aath launches kids' slot 'Sunday Funday'". Afaqs!. 4 March 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  10. ↑ "IPL 2015 to be aired in Bengali on Sony Aath". Afaqs!. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  11. ↑ "Sony AATH to showcase Hollywood blockbusters in Bangla; launches 'Hollywood Hungama'". Best Media Info. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  12. ↑ "Sony Pictures Networks India rebrands Channel Portfolio to align with Sony's Global Ethos". Asian News International. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  13. ↑ "Ambesh Tiwari to lead SPNI AATH alongside kids, animation biz". Exchange4media. 16 January 2026. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Our Shows (8 November 2022)". Sony Aath. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  15. ↑ "Sony Aath to launch 'Vighnaharta Ganesh' show in West Bengal". Best Media Info. 20 April 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  16. ↑ "Sony Aath launches kids' animation series 'Gopal Bhar' in 'Sunday Funday'". Best Media Info. 4 March 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  17. 1 2 3 "Sony AATH wraps up a spectacular year". Adgully. 28 December 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  18. ↑ "Sony Aath (10 February 2014)". Sony Aath. Archived from the original on 10 February 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  19. ↑ "Our Shows (30 January 2018)". Sony Aath. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  20. ↑ "Sony Aath (16 March 2015)". Sony Aath. Archived from the original on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  21. ↑ "Sony Aath launches show 'Aamar Sai - Shradha and Dahirjia'". Best Media Info. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  22. ↑ "Sony AATH launches new prime time fiction show 'Shrimad Ramayan'". Best Media Info. 30 September 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  23. ↑ "Sony AATH premieres animated 'Taarak Mehta Kka Chhota Chashmah'". Best Media Info. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  24. ↑ "Sony Aath launches thriller show 'Tomar Meye Ki Kore'". Best Media Info (in Bengali). 6 December 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  25. ↑ "Sony AATH launches original family animation show – 'Kolpopurer Golpo'". Best Media Info. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  26. ↑ "Sony AATH to premiere 'Goyenda Gopal – Antim Pratishod' on January 28". Best Media Info. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  27. ↑ "Sony AATH to premiere 'Nut Boltu Aar Bhooter Baari' on February 23". Best Media Info. 19 February 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Aath