Mumbai: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has announced that it will telecast the Chetak SCREEN Awards 2026 LIVE across Sony Entertainment Television (SET) and Sony LIV on April 5, 2026, at 8:00 PM IST, marking a return to live award show broadcasting.
Recognised as one of India’s most credible honours in cinema, the SCREEN Awards celebrate excellence in filmmaking and storytelling while spotlighting the creative talent shaping the industry. The 2026 edition promises a star-studded showcase, hosted by Alia Bhatt, Farah Khan, Sunil Grover, and Zakir Khan, bringing together cinema, music, comedy and pop culture on a single stage.
In a first for the property, the awards will be broadcast live across both linear television and digital platforms, underscoring SPNI’s platform-agnostic content strategy. In addition to SET and Sony LIV, the ceremony will also be streamed live on the SCREEN Awards’ YouTube channel, with a repeat telecast scheduled for April 7, 2026, on Sony Entertainment Television’s YouTube channel.
By leveraging its integrated linear and digital ecosystem, SPNI aims to transform the awards into a real-time cultural moment, driving both scale and deeper audience engagement.
Nachiket Pantvaidya, Chief Content Officer, Sony Pictures Networks India, “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, added, “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 reach and visibility, Adani Airports has come on board as the OOH partner, while The Award Gallery joins as the Trophy Partner.
