Sony TV to buy ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’?

STAR Plus is done with India’s once numero uno gameshow ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ (KBC), so with the show available to buy in the market, who looks likely to scoop it?

The industry has been abuzz today with reports suggesting Multi Screen Media, formerly Sony Entertainment Television India, has bought the rights to the gameshow format ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire?’ for an undisclosed sum from Sony Pictures Television, the Japanese company that now owns the rights.

However, Kunal Dasgupta, chief executive officer, MSM India, denied the development and said “we have not bought the rights of the show as of now.”

Sidharth Basu, producer of earlier KBC shows, says, “The show is available for any broadcaster who wants it. As for Sony TV, I don’t know if it is under consideration by them. From whatever I know, STAR has auctioned out the rights. So the show is available to anyone who wants the rights.”

Though ‘KBC’ turned around the fortunes of STAR India and pushed it to the number-one position when it first launched with Amitabh Bachchan in 2000, its popularity during the third season (2007) with Shah Rukh Khan diminished, marginally.

Since Sony International bought over 2Way-Traffic (owners of ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionair’) last year, it is likely to buy the rights to the format as its under the Sony house. However, they will not be able to use the same name, set or presenter as per contract.