Indian TV in October 2025: Big Drama Returns and Fresh Launches Lock Festive Slots

Mumbai, October 13, 2025 — General entertainment channels are sharpening their October slates. They are launching high-visibility promos and reshuffling time slots to ride the festive audience surge. Ekta Kapoor’s supernatural franchise Naagin has dropped a fresh promo, signaling the return with Season 7. Meanwhile, Star Plus and Colors are lining up weekday dramas to capture early-evening and prime-access bands. Zee has also firmed up a late-October reality premiere to complement its fiction grid.

‘Naagin 7’ Promo Primes a Legacy Comeback

A new teaser for Naagin 7 hints at “major twists.” This renews the franchise’s core promise of pulpy fantasy fused with melodrama. Although the promo doesn’t mention a telecast date, the network’s October push suggests rollout planning is underway. The franchise is expected to anchor weekend spikes once it returns.

Star Plus Opens October with a 7 PM Weekday Drama

Star Plus confirmed its new series “Maana Ke Hum Yaar Nahi” premiered on 7 October 2025 in the 19:00 IST slot on weekdays. It replaces “Ishaani,” which has moved earlier. This scheduling underscores the channel’s effort to fortify early primetime. Families tune in post-work and pre-dinner, making this a strategic move.

Colors Preps Late-October Fiction Launch, Tweaks Slots

Colors is readying “Tu Juliet Jatt Di” for 27 October at 7:00 PM. This comes with a light reshuffle that moves incumbent titles to accommodate the newcomer. The network has been iterating on early-evening slots to build a stronger flow into its high-performing reality and late-primetime fiction hours. Official grid teasers surfaced via the network’s social updates.

Zee Locks a New Saturday Reality to Complement Drama

Adding variety to the month’s rollouts, Zee TV has dated “Ideabaaz” for Saturday, 25 October. While not a drama, this business-reality format is positioned to feed weekend sampling and cross-promote weekday fiction. Zee’s schedule has added multiple new soaps in recent weeks. A marquee weekend title can lift tune-in across the grid.

Regional TV Events Keep Audiences Engaged Mid-Month

In regional entertainment, Zee Marathi has scheduled its annual awards broadcast for 11–12 October. This reliable mid-month tentpole drives tune-in and social chatter for the network’s ongoing serials. Such specials often buoy subsequent weekday ratings by refreshing character familiarity and fan loyalty.

Why October Matters for Fiction Launches

October is crucial for fiction launches. With festive holidays compressing audience availability, broadcasters chase habit formation quickly. An early-month start, like Star Plus at 7 PM, can lock repeat viewing before holiday travel begins. Late-October launches, such as Colors, aim to inherit lifted HUT levels and roll momentum into November. Pairing a legacy return (Naagin 7) with fresh weekday offerings creates a portfolio hedge. Legacy pulls appointment viewing while new soaps court sampling.

The Ratings Puzzle: Flow, Counter-Programming, and OTT Spillover

Networks are also counter-programming against each other’s tentpoles and streaming premieres. They stagger fiction against rival reality blocks and lean on promos across owned IP. Weekend events, like the Zee Marathi Awards, and late-night reality (Zee’s Ideabaaz) serve as funnels into weekday serials. The renewed push for recognizable IP like Naagin suggests broadcasters still see franchise equity as the fastest path to sampling in a cluttered month.

The Future of Entertainment: Trends to Watch

As we look ahead, several trends are shaping the landscape. The rise of streaming platforms is changing how audiences consume content. Brands must adapt to this shift. They need to create engaging narratives that resonate across multiple platforms. This means understanding audience preferences and delivering content that captivates.

Embracing Innovation in Storytelling

Innovation is key in storytelling. Brands and production houses must embrace new technologies. From virtual reality experiences to interactive storytelling, the possibilities are endless. This not only enhances viewer engagement but also creates memorable experiences.

The Importance of Collaboration

Collaboration is vital in this evolving landscape. Brands, production houses, and entertainment platforms must work together. By sharing insights and resources, they can create compelling content that stands out. This collaborative spirit can lead to groundbreaking projects that push the boundaries of creativity.

Bottom line: October’s TV playbook is classic but effective. Return a proven franchise, seed at least one new weekday drama in early primetime, add a weekend spectacle, and time a second fiction launch at month-end. Expect more promos to drop as channels jostle for share through Diwali. The next two weeks are key to establishing which newcomers stick and which get shuffled.

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SRESTHA ROY - AUTHOR

Srestha is a film writer who explores cinema through sharp reviews, insightful news, and in-depth features. From the magic of the big screen to behind-the-scenes stories, she brings readers closer to the art and industry of film.