In a massive win for unscripted entertainment, Banijay Asia’s disruptive reality series, ‘The 50′, has officially emerged as the most-watched show on OTT in India. According to the latest Ormax Media viewership report released on February 11, 2026, the show has garnered a staggering 6.5 million views on JioHotstar, outperforming major sporting events and premium scripted dramas.
The success of ‘The 50’ is particularly noteworthy given the highly competitive viewing landscape. The show managed to secure the top spot even as audiences were glued to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 and premium scripted titles like Dhurandhar. This milestone reaffirms the growing appetite for high-stakes, innovative reality formats in the Indian market.
“The success of ‘The 50’ reaffirms that Indian audiences are ready for bold, global formats when thoughtfully localized,” said Deepak Dhar, Founder & Group CEO of Banijay Asia & EndemolShine India. “To emerge as the most-watched show amid marquee sporting events is a testament to the power of the format and the scale of our production.”
Adapted from the French hit Les Cinquante, ‘The 50’ marks a departure from traditional reality TV. Instead of relying on audience votes, the game is driven by strategy, social negotiation, and survival.
- The Setting: 50 high-profile celebrities are housed in a grand, palace-style “Mahal.”
- The Game Master: A mysterious figure hidden behind a Lion mask dictates the rules—or the lack thereof.
- The Players: The cast includes a mix of TV icons and digital stars like Karan Patel, Divya Agarwal, Mr Faisu, Prince Narula, and Nikki Tamboli.
A distinctive feature fueling the show’s viral engagement is its unique prize structure. Unlike other shows where the contestant takes home the cash, the final jackpot in ‘The 50’ is awarded to a registered follower of the winner. This “fan-first” approach has transformed passive viewers into active participants, with millions of fans using the app to register and follow their favorite players.
Currently, the competition has reached a fever pitch. With 26 contestants already eliminated—including shock exits like Divya Agarwal and Nikki Tamboli—the remaining 24 players are battling it out daily. New episodes stream every night at 9 PM on JioHotstar and air at 10:30 PM on Colors TV.
Key Highlights:
- Viewership Record: Emerged as the most-watched OTT show with 6.5 million views on JioHotstar, surpassing World Cup cricket.
- Unique Format: Features 50 celebrities in a strategy-led survival game where players, not the audience, decide eliminations.
- Interactive Prize: In a global first, the final cash reward is won by a registered fan of the winning contestant.
- Leadership: Produced by Banijay Asia, the show sets a new benchmark for unscripted content scale and audience engagement in India.