Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18 drives 80% ad revenue surge on Sony LIV

The eighteenth season of the Indian quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati premiered on 10 August 2026 on Sony Entertainment Television and the streaming platform Sony LIV. More than 25 sponsors signed on, including Google Gemini, Maruti Suzuki, PhonePe, Bharat Petroleum, UltraTech Cement and several others, with Google Gemini serving as a co‑presenting sponsor.

Sony LIV reported an 80 percent year‑on‑year increase in advertising revenue for the season, while premium CPM rates rose about 50 percent. Brands benefited from integrated placements such as in‑show product mentions, the KBC Play‑Along feature and connected‑TV streams, allowing advertisers to reach both household viewers and individual users. The season’s theme, “Sochna Padega,” emphasizes critical thinking, and the show continues to be hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, providing a high‑visibility, brand‑safe platform for the sponsors.