Colors Kannada
Colors Kannada is an Indian Kannada-language general-entertainment television channel known for serials, reality programming and Kannada films.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Colors Kannada is a Kannada-language general-entertainment television channel serving viewers primarily in Karnataka, India. The channel traces its origins to ETV Kannada, which began broadcasting on 10 December 2000. It was promoted by businessman Ramoji Rao and initially operated as part of the ETV television network. Its programming model centered on locally relevant Kannada entertainment, including fiction serials, non-fiction and reality formats, and Kannada cinema. The channel later became associated with Viacom18, the Indian media company connected with Network18, and was repositioned within the broader Colors television franchise. On 26 April 2015, ETV Kannada was formally rebranded as Colors Kannada. The change aligned the channel with the Colors family while retaining its Kannada-language focus and regional programming identity. The rebrand also placed the channel within a larger portfolio of general-entertainment services spanning multiple Indian languages. Colors Kannada's core business is television programming rather than the sale of physical consumer products. Its typical schedule has included scripted fiction series, dubbed programs, reality competitions, celebrity and family-oriented entertainment, and Kannada films. Programs associated with the channel include the Kannada edition of Bigg Boss, Dancing Star, Majaa Talkies, Nannamma Super Star, Raja Rani and Kannadada Kotyadhipati, alongside a substantial roster of fiction serials such as Agnisakshi, Kannadathi, Lakshmi Baramma and Nannarasi Radhe. Programming has changed over time as series seasons conclude and new shows are commissioned. A notable technology milestone was the channel's introduction of an HD service, described in reference material as the first general-entertainment channel in Karnataka to start an HD channel. This strengthened the brand's position in the premium television segment while maintaining its regional-language proposition. The wider Colors Kannada ecosystem also includes related Kannada entertainment services, notably Colors Super and Colors Kannada Cinema, although these are separate channel brands. The channel's positioning combines mass-market entertainment with Kannada cultural and linguistic relevance. Fiction serials provide regular appointment viewing, while reality and talent formats create event programming and audience participation. Kannada films broaden the schedule beyond serial and studio formats. Through its connection to JioStar, Colors Kannada operates within one of India's major television and streaming-content groups, but the channel remains differentiated by its focus on Kannada-language audiences. Public reference material does not establish a separate headquarters, financial performance, listed status or named current executives for the brand.
History
Colors Kannada originated as ETV Kannada, a Kannada-language television channel launched on 10 December 2000. The service was promoted by businessman Ramoji Rao and formed part of the ETV television network. From its beginning, the channel addressed the Kannada-speaking market with general entertainment rather than a narrowly defined news, sports or movie-only format. Its schedule developed around serial fiction, entertainment programs, reality formats and Kannada films. The channel's subsequent corporate history followed the consolidation and expansion of India's private television industry. It later became part of Viacom18, the media group associated with Network18, and was brought into the Colors family of regional and national entertainment brands. On 26 April 2015, the ETV Kannada identity was replaced by Colors Kannada. The rebranding preserved the channel's regional-language proposition while giving it a more consistent relationship with the Colors portfolio. Following the rebrand, the channel continued to build its identity through a mixture of original Kannada fiction, adapted or dubbed programming, reality competitions and studio-based entertainment. Its associated programming history includes long-running or widely referenced serials such as Agnisakshi, Lakshmi Baramma, Kannadathi, Nannamma Yuvarani, Nannarasi Radhe, Geetha, Kendasampige and Ramachaari. Reality and non-fiction properties have included Bigg Boss Kannada, Dancing Star, Majaa Talkies, Nannamma Super Star, Raja Rani and Kannadada Kotyadhipati. These titles illustrate the channel's use of both locally produced formats and Kannada adaptations of broader Indian television franchises. Technology and portfolio expansion were also part of the brand's development. Colors Kannada is identified in reference material as the first general-entertainment channel in Karnataka to introduce an HD channel. The broader Kannada portfolio subsequently gained Colors Super, launched on 24 July 2016, and Colors Kannada Cinema, a Kannada movie channel launched on 24 September 2018. These services are related brands rather than alternate names for the main channel. The channel is now described as being owned by JioStar, the joint venture formed around Viacom18 and Disney India. Its principal role within that group is to provide Kannada-language general entertainment for the Karnataka market and Kannada-speaking viewers. Its competitive proposition rests on regional-language storytelling, recurring serial viewing, recognizable reality formats and access to Kannada cinema. Publicly available reference material supplied for this entry does not provide verified information about headquarters, revenue, audience measurements, current management personnel or a separate legal corporate entity for the brand.
- 2018
Colors Kannada Cinema launches
[1]The related Kannada pay television movie channel Colors Kannada Cinema launches on 24 September 2018.
- 2016
Colors Super launches
[1]A related Kannada general-entertainment channel, Colors Super, launches on 24 July 2016.
- 2015
Rebrand to Colors Kannada
[1]ETV Kannada adopts the Colors Kannada name on 26 April 2015 following its alignment with the Colors franchise and Viacom18.
- 2000
ETV Kannada begins broadcasting
[1]The channel launches on 10 December 2000 as ETV Kannada, a Kannada-language general-entertainment service promoted by Ramoji Rao.
HD service introduced
[1]The channel introduces an HD service and is described as the first general-entertainment channel in Karnataka to do so.
Products and positioning
A regional general-entertainment television brand combining Kannada fiction, reality formats, family programming and films under the Colors franchise.
General-entertainment television · 2000
Colors Kannada television channel
The core channel broadcasts Kannada-language entertainment across scripted serials, reality and non-fiction programs, dubbed shows and Kannada films. Its programming is designed for broad regional appeal, combining daily or recurring fiction with seasonal event formats and movie content.
HD television service
Colors Kannada HD
The HD service extends the Colors Kannada proposition through higher-definition television distribution. Reference material presents its introduction as a notable first among Karnataka's general-entertainment channels.
Reality television
Bigg Boss Kannada
Bigg Boss Kannada is the Kannada-language version of the Bigg Boss reality format and has been one of the channel's recurring reality properties. The show uses a housed- contestant format and seasonal broadcasting, although this entry does not assert details about individual seasons or presenters.
Scripted television
Kannada fiction serials
Colors Kannada's fiction slate has included serials such as Agnisakshi, Kannadathi, Lakshmi Baramma, Geetha, Kendasampige, Nannarasi Radhe and Ramachaari. These programs provide continuing Kannada-language stories and form a central part of the channel's general-entertainment schedule.
Brand decisions
2015
Adopt the Colors Kannada identityStrategyBackground
ETV Kannada was brought into the Colors franchise after becoming associated with Viacom18.
Action taken
The channel officially rebranded as Colors Kannada on 26 April 2015.
Aftermath
The rebrand connected the Kannada service with a broader family of regional and national entertainment channels while retaining its language-specific programming focus.
- Introduce an HD serviceProduct launch
Background
The channel expanded its television proposition beyond standard-definition distribution.
Action taken
Colors Kannada launched an HD channel for the Karnataka market.
Aftermath
Reference material identifies the move as a first among Karnataka's general-entertainment channels.
Recent events
Viacom18 launches Har Din Diwali campaign[3]
Reported:
Viacom18 launched the Har Din Diwali consumer awareness campaign encouraging viewers to subscribe to COLORS and COLORS Kannada at their reduced price.
Viacom18 reduces prices for COLORS channels[3]
Reported:
Viacom18 announced that the a-la-carte monthly prices of COLORS and COLORS Kannada were reduced from Rs 19 to Rs 12 each.
Sources3 sources
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