Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2, Laughter Chefs and more TV show trends that dominated 2025
In 2025, Hindi TV trends show a blend of traditional long-running daily soaps and an increasing influence from digital streaming (OTT) platforms, which introduce diverse genres and modern storytelling to a wider audience. Today, we look at the key trends that dominated this year.
From Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 reviving nostalgia to Laughter Chefs redefining comedy, 2025 television was shaped by reboots, reality innovations, and formats that ruled social media conversations.
Nostalgia-driven revivals - Iconic 90s and 2000s shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 and CID 2 are making comebacks, leveraging emotional connections with the 25-45 age demographic to draw viewers back to primetime TV.
Dominance of non-fiction and reality TV - Reality formats like Bigg Boss 19, Laughter Chefs 3, and Pati Patni Aur Panga remain strong viewership drivers, often adapted from successful international formats to ensure predictable audience engagement.
Rise of regional content - Content in languages other than Hindi accounts for over half of all TV viewership, driven by the digital revolution and a preference for local storytelling in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Adaptation of global and local formats - Popular international and domestic show formats (like MasterChef and Jau Bai Gavat) are being localized for the Indian TV and streaming audiences, reducing commissioning risks.
Mature and complex narratives - Streaming platforms and television, free from traditional censorship, explore bolder and more socially relevant themes such as caste dynamics, corruption, and social inequality, attracting audiences looking for more nuanced storytelling than daily soaps typically offer.
Hybrid content models - Many new shows are designed to air across both traditional television and streaming platforms (like JioHotstar or SonyLIV) simultaneously to maximize reach and cater to diverse viewing habits.
Focus on aspirational and social themes - New fictional shows are addressing modern issues such as body shaming (Radhika Dil Se), age-gap romance (Tum Se Tum Tak), and career aspirations (Meri Bhavya Life), indicating a move towards more relatable and contemporary social narratives within daily soaps.
