Television still shapes India’s evenings in a way few other media can. From Pune apartments to Kochi villas and Kolkata townhouses, families switch on the TV at 7 PM almost instinctively. Even in the age of binge-watching apps, the Entertainment Channel List in India remains deeply relevant because television continues to dominate collective viewing.India has over 210 million TV households,according to BARC India, making it one of the largest television markets in the world. Moreover, traditional TV still attracts more than 50% of total media ad spend, proving that brands trust its reach and reliability. While OTT platforms grow rapidly, television retains unmatched penetration across urban and rural India.
That is precisely why the demand for a clear, updated, and well-structured directory keeps rising every year. Viewers want clarity about language options, HD availability, and regional networks. Brands want to reach across demographics. Media planners want verified and organised data before investing budgets. Therefore, a comprehensive and thoughtfully organised channel directory goes beyond surface-level listings. It offers category-wise segmentation, language breakdown, genre classification, HD/SD differentiation, and platform availability insights, all in one place.
- 1. Hindi General Entertainment Channels (GEC)
- 2. Hindi Movie Channels
- 3. Tamil Entertainment Channels
- 4. Malayalam Entertainment Channels
- 5. Telugu Entertainment Channels
- 6. Kannada Entertainment Channels
- 7. Bengali Entertainment Channels
- 8. Marathi Entertainment Channels
- 9. Kids and Youth Channels
- 10. Free-to-Air Entertainment Channels
- 11. TV Advertising Costs and Media Planning Insight
- 12. Influencer Marketing and Television Integration
- 13. The Whole Truth: TV vs OTT in India
- Conclusion
- About Hobo.Video
1. Hindi General Entertainment Channels (GEC)
Hindi GECs dominate national TRPs. In fact, they command nearly 45% weekly viewership share.
Hindi Entertainment Channels List (GEC)
| Channel Name | Language | Genre | HD Available | Major DTH Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colors TV | Hindi | GEC | Yes | Tata Play, Airtel, Dish TV |
| Zee TV | Hindi | GEC | Yes | All major DTH |
| Star Plus | Hindi | GEC | Yes | All major DTH |
| Sony TV | Hindi | GEC | Yes | All major DTH |
| &TV | Hindi | GEC | No | Most DTH |
| Star Bharat | Hindi | GEC | Yes | Major DTH |
| Sony SAB | Hindi | GEC | Yes | All major DTH |
| Dangal | Hindi | GEC | No | FTA + DTH |
| Shemaroo Umang | Hindi | GEC | No | FTA + DTH |
| Zee Anmol | Hindi | GEC | No | FTA |
Among these, colors tv and zee frequently rank among the most popular tv channels in india. When viewers search for the top 10 hindi entertainment channels in india, this list reflects current TRP leaders.
2. Hindi Movie Channels
Movie broadcasting drives festive spikes. During Diwali and Eid weekends, viewership often increases by nearly 20–25%, based on BARC seasonal reports.
| Channel Name | Language | Genre | HD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonymax | Hindi | Movies | Yes |
| Zee Cinema | Hindi | Movies | Yes |
| Star Gold | Hindi | Movies | Yes |
| Colors Cineplex | Hindi | Movies | Yes |
| &Pictures | Hindi | Movies | Yes |
| Goldmines | Hindi | Dubbed Movies | No |
| B4U Movies | Hindi | Movies | No |
Sonymax remains one of the most recognized names in the Entertainment Channel List in India, especially for repeat blockbuster telecasts.
3. Tamil Entertainment Channels
Tamil television enjoys deep loyalty in Chennai and Tier-2 towns alike.
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| Channel Name | Genre | HD |
|---|---|---|
| Zee Tamil | GEC | Yes |
| Sun TV | GEC | Yes |
| Star Vijay | GEC | Yes |
| Colors Tamil | GEC | Yes |
| Kalaignar TV | GEC | No |
Zee Tamil consistently appears among the popular tv channels in india within Tamil households.
4. Malayalam Entertainment Channels
Kerala’s viewing culture is unique. Political debates and cinema dominate prime-time.
| Channel Name | Genre | HD |
|---|---|---|
| Asianet | GEC | Yes |
| Asianet Movies | Movies | Yes |
| Kairali TV | GEC | No |
| Surya TV | GEC | Yes |
| Mazhavil Manorama | GEC | Yes |
Kairali TV holds cultural significance, while asianet movies leads Malayalam film broadcasting.
5. Telugu Entertainment Channels
Telugu markets contribute significantly to southern TRPs.
| Channel Name | Genre | HD |
|---|---|---|
| Star Maa | GEC | Yes |
| Zee Telugu | GEC | Yes |
| Gemini TV | GEC | Yes |
| ETV Telugu | GEC | No |
| Colors Telugu | GEC | Yes |
These channels form a crucial part of all entertainment channels in india.
6. Kannada Entertainment Channels
| Channel Name | Genre | HD |
|---|---|---|
| Zee Kannada | GEC | Yes |
| Colors Kannada | GEC | Yes |
| Udaya TV | GEC | Yes |
| Star Suvarna | GEC | Yes |
| Kasturi TV | GEC | No |
7. Bengali Entertainment Channels
West Bengal continues to support regional storytelling strongly.
| Channel Name | Genre | HD |
|---|---|---|
| Zee Bangla | GEC | Yes |
| Star Jalsha | GEC | Yes |
| Colors Bangla | GEC | Yes |
| Sun Bangla | GEC | No |
| Akash Aath | GEC | No |
These networks often rank among the most popular tv channels in india within eastern markets. For regional movie channel advertising dynamics, the landscape aroundJalsha Movies HDoffers a practical reference point in the Bengali entertainment ecosystem.
8. Marathi Entertainment Channels
Maharashtra remains a high-value advertising region.
| Channel Name | Genre | HD |
|---|---|---|
| Zee Marathi | GEC | Yes |
| Colors Marathi | GEC | Yes |
| Star Pravah | GEC | Yes |
| Sony Marathi | GEC | No |
| Fakt Marathi | GEC | No |
Prime-time between 7–10 PM drives strong regional engagement.
9. Kids and Youth Channels
Even with OTT penetration, children’s television holds rural dominance.
- Cartoon Network
- Pogo
- Nickelodeon
- Disney Channel
- Sonic
These channels complete the broader Entertainment Channel List in India for family households.
10. Free-to-Air Entertainment Channels
According to TRAI, free-to-air channels still serve millions of rural households.
Major FTA names include:
- Dangal
- Zee Anmol
- Big Magic
- Rishtey
- Shemaroo TV
These networks expand the reach of the indian tv channel list across Bharat.
11. TV Advertising Costs and Media Planning Insight
A 10-second ad spot on leading Hindi GECs like colors tv or zee can range between ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3 lakh, depending on the time slot, festival season, and TRP performance. Prime-time placements during reality show finales or major cricket tournaments can push rates even higher. Therefore, brands carefully evaluate the Entertainment Channel List in India to identify which channels deliver the strongest reach within their target demographics. However, television alone is no longer enough, as modern campaigns now combine TV visibility with digital amplification, influencer marketing, and performance-driven content to maximise impact and recall. When evaluating television ad rates across networks,current broadcast advertising cost patterns in Indiaprovide useful context for budget planning.
12. Influencer Marketing and Television Integration
The influencer marketing India industryis projected to cross ₹2,800 crore by 2026. Smart brands now combine television exposure with influencer marketing amplification. After airing promos on channels like sonymax or zee tamil, brands collaborate with top influencers in india. They generate UGC Videos and AI UGC content to extend campaign life. Many creators ask, how to become an influencer in this ecosystem. Consistency, niche authority, and collaboration with a best influencer platform make the difference. Looking at howinfluential creators shape entertainmentconsumption can be further informed by trends seen among top entertainment YouTubers in India.
13. The Whole Truth: TV vs OTT in India
India crossed 450 million OTT users in recent years, reflecting the country’s rapid digital adoption and affordable data revolution. Still, television continues to dominate living rooms, especially when families gather for daily soaps, reality shows, cricket matches, or weekend movies. Unlike OTT, which often serves individual screens and personalized recommendations, television creates shared cultural moments that entire households experience together.
The whole truth is simple. OTT offers personalization and on-demand control. TV delivers scale, emotional bonding, and collective viewing rituals. Therefore, the evolving Entertainment Channel List in India remains highly relevant not only for advertisers seeking mass reach but also for audiences who value familiarity, language-based programming, and community-driven entertainment.
Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- India hosts over 900 licensed channels.
- Hindi GECs dominate the hindi entertainment channels list.
- Regional leaders like kairali tv and zee tamil maintain loyal audiences.
- Sonymax and asianet movies remain movie favourites.
- Colors tv and zee rank among the most popular tv channels in india.
- Free-to-air networks expand rural access.
- Influencer marketing strengthens television recall.
The updated Entertainment Channel List in India helps viewers navigate choices and helps brands invest wisely. Moreover, understanding the complete Entertainment Channel List in India ensures better media planning and audience targeting.
About Hobo.Video
Hobo.Video is India’s leading AI-powered influencer marketing and UGC company. With over 2.25 million creators, it offers end-to-end campaign management designed for brand growth. The platform combines AI and human strategy for maximum ROI.
Services include:
- Influencer marketing
- UGC content creation
- Celebrity endorsements
- Product feedback and testing
- Marketplace and seller reputation management
- Regional and niche influencer campaigns
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FAQs
What is included in the Entertainment Channel List in India?
It includes Hindi GECs, regional channels, movie channels, kids channels, HD versions, and free-to-air networks available via cable and DTH platforms.
Which are the most popular TV channels in India?
Colors TV, Zee TV, Star Plus, Sun TV, and Star Maa frequently rank high in TRP charts.
What does a Hindi entertainment channels list cover?
It includes general entertainment networks like Colors TV, Zee TV, Sony TV, and others focused on Hindi-speaking audiences.
Are regional channels important?
Yes. Channels like kairali tv and zee tamil dominate state markets and drive strong local engagement.
How many TV households are there in India?
India has over 210 million television households, as per BARC India.
Which movie channels are widely watched?
Sonymax, Zee Cinema, Star Gold, and asianet movies remain highly viewed.
What is the role of influencer marketing in TV campaigns?
It amplifies television reach using UGC Videos, AI influencer marketing, and digital storytelling.
What is AI influencer marketing?
It uses data-driven tools to match brands with relevant creators for better campaign ROI.
Where can brands collaborate with creators?
Brands can work with a top influencer marketing company like Hobo.Video for integrated campaigns.
How to become an influencer in India?
Focus on niche authority, create consistent content, and collaborate with trusted platforms.

