Sony Entertainment Television (SET India) has been a significant player in the Indian television landscape since its launch in 1995. Over the years, its logo has evolved to reflect changes in branding, design trends, and the channel’s identity. This article delves into the history and evolution of the SET India logo and other details over the years.
The Genesis of the Sony Entertainment Television Logo (1995 – 2007)
The original logo of Sony Entertainment Television was introduced at the launch of the channel on October 8, 1995. This logo featured a simple yet bold design with the brand name “Sony” in a distinctive Clarendon bold Helvetica black font at the top. And at the bottom of the solid green square-shaped emblem featured the wordmark “Entertainment Television” in a smaller text and executed in a Futura BT Condensed typeface.
The colour palette primarily consisted of green, blue, and red to convey a sense of professionalism and reliability. This logo established SET as a prominent player in the Indian entertainment sector and showcased its commitment to quality programming.
(2007 – 2011)
In 2007, as part of a rebranding strategy, SET India unveiled a new logo that featured a vibrant green colour scheme. This change was aimed at refreshing the brand’s image and appealing to a younger audience. The new design maintained the core elements of the original logo but introduced a more modern typeface and layout.
The brand name “SONY” was displayed in white at the bottom of a green square emblem against a black background. The redesigned logo symbolised growth and vitality and was aligned with the channel’s expansion into various genres of entertainment. The wordmark “ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION” of uniform length in black was placed at the bottom of the emblem in two levels.
(2011 – 2016)
In this redesigned logo, the brand name “SONY” in white is featured at the top of the square emblem with a large, thick letter “S” portrayed against a green background and a tiny red mark at the bottom. The brand name was placed against a black background. The wordmark “ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION” appeared at the bottom of the emblem in white, but against a black background.
(2016 – 2022)
In November 2016, SET India transitioned to a purple logo, thereby marking another significant evolution in its branding. The purple colour was chosen to represent creativity and innovation and to reflect the diverse programming of the channel that included dramas, reality shows, and movies. The purple colour with dark and light shades formed the background of the square emblem with golden framing. At the centre of the emblem was a large thick golden “S” in the foreground.
At the top, the style of the wordmark “SONY” was retained from the previous iteration, but “ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION” appeared in a golden colour palette against a black background. This version of the logo retained the familiar layout but featured a sleeker design with refined typography. The purple logo helped SET stand out in a crowded market and reinforced its identity as a leading entertainment channel.
(2022 – Present)
On October 24, 2022, SET India adopted its latest logo as part of a broader rebranding initiative across Sony’s television networks. This new design aligns with the global branding strategy of Sony and features an “S-curve” logo template that emphasises modernity and dynamism. The upper part of the S-curve featured a deep brown colour scheme with the wordmark “SONY” displayed in white.
On the other hand, the bottom part of the S-curve featured a golden colour background with white accents with the wordmark “ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION” in black. The updated logo reflects not just continuity but also innovation. It showcases SET India’s commitment to evolve with contemporary trends while maintaining its core values. The same logo design with the letters “HD” in a gradient gold colour scheme symbolised the logo for the HD channel.
The Elements of the Sony Entertainment Television (India) Logo
Font
The font used in the latest Sony Entertainment Television (India) logo is a distinctive sans-serif typeface that conveys modernity and clarity. The letters of the wordmarks are bold and easily legible, which make the logo recognisable across various media platforms.
Colour
The colour palette of the SET India logo has evolved over time, with each colour choice symbolising different aspects of the brand’s identity. The colour red represents energy, passion, and excitement. The colour blue conveys trust, reliability, and professionalism, while green symbolises growth and freshness.
The History of Sony Entertainment Television (India)
SET India was established as a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Networks India, which was originally named Sony Entertainment Television India Private Limited. The channel made its debut with a variety of programmes that included Indian dramas, comedies, and international content. It gained popularity with shows like CID, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, and Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, which resonated with Indian audiences. In 1999, SET India expanded its offerings by launching Sony Max, a channel dedicated to Hindi movies and sports events. This diversification helped cement SET’s position in the competitive television market.
The early 2000s saw significant growth for SET India. In 2001, the channel updated its logo to a vibrant green colour to symbolise freshness and vitality. The programming slate continued to evolve, wherein it introduced popular reality shows such as Indian Idol and adaptations of various international formats like Bigg Boss and Fear Factor. In 2005, SET India acquired SAB TV from Sri Adhikari Brothers and rebranded it as Sony SAB. This acquisition allowed the network to cater to family-oriented content, thereby further broadening its audience base.
By 2006, SET had launched Sony Pix, an English movie channel, to diversify its portfolio even further. In December 2007, SET India Pvt Ltd was renamed Multi Screen Media Private Limited. This rebranding marked a new phase in the company’s evolution as it began to focus on consolidating its various channels under a unified brand strategy. In 2015, the company underwent another name change to Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN). This shift aligned the network more closely with the global Sony brand.
The channel’s programming continued to thrive with successful shows like The Kapil Sharma Show, Kaun Banega Crorepati, and India’s Got Talent. The introduction of these formats showcased SET India’s ability to adapt international concepts for Indian audiences while maintaining cultural relevance.
In September 2021, Zee Entertainment Enterprises announced plans to merge with SPN. After negotiations and regulatory approvals, the merger was officially approved by the National Company Law Tribunal in August 2023. Today, Sony Entertainment Television continues to be one of India’s leading Hindi general entertainment channels. With a rich history marked by innovation and adaptability, it remains committed to delivering quality content that resonates with viewers across the country.
Interesting Facts About Sony Entertainment Television (India)
- SET India was one of the first channels to introduce reality television formats to Indian audiences. Shows like Indian Idol and Kaun Banega Crorepati garnered immense popularity and set benchmarks for reality programming in the country. These paved the way for numerous similar shows across various networks.
- The channel is known for its diverse range of programming, which includes dramas, comedies, reality shows, and mythological series. This variety allows SET India to cater to a wide demographic and appeal to different age groups and preferences.
- SET India has had a significant cultural impact in India. Iconic shows like Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin and Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki have not only entertained viewers but also influenced societal norms and conversations around various issues.
- SET India reaches over 700 million viewers across India and is available in 167 countries worldwide. This extensive reach makes it one of the most-watched Hindi general entertainment channels in the country.
- The channel has consistently pushed the envelope with innovative show formats. For instance, Super Dancer and India’s Best Dancer have become popular platforms for discovering and showcasing dance talent, while The Kapil Sharma Show has redefined comedy on Indian television.
- SET India has successfully produced historical dramas such as Porus and Peshwa Bajirao and mythological sagas like Vighnaharta Ganesh. These shows have garnered critical acclaim and have contributed to a resurgence of interest in Indian history and mythology on television.
- Over the years, SET India has received numerous awards for its programming excellence. These include accolades for Best Entertainment Channel, Best Reality Show, and Best Actor/Actress in various award ceremonies.
- The channel has embraced technological advancements by adapting high-definition (HD) formats for its broadcasts. In recent years, SET India adopted XAVC as its in-house format for HD transmission to enhance content quality.
- In addition to traditional broadcasting, SET India has expanded its reach through digital platforms like SonyLIV, which offers on-demand streaming of its shows, movies, and original content. This move caters to the growing trend of digital consumption among viewers.
- SET India actively engages with its audience through social media platforms. It creates interactive experiences that allow viewers to connect with their favourite shows and characters. This engagement strategy has helped build a loyal fan base.
Finally
The Sony Entertainment Television (India) logo and its various iterations are more than just a visual identifier. They encapsulate the channel’s ethos and mission in the entertainment industry. With their bold typography, vibrant colour scheme, and dynamic design philosophy, the logo iterations effectively communicate SET India’s commitment to providing quality entertainment. As the channel continues to evolve, these elements will remain central to its brand identity.