Epic TV

About Epic TV

Overview

Epic TV, also styled as The Epic Channel, is an Indian television channel broadcasting in Hindi and English that specialises in action, drama, comedy and narrative non-fiction programming set against the backdrop of Indian history, mythology and folklore. Launched on 19 November 2014 by The Epic Company (Epic Television Networks Pvt. Ltd.), the channel was positioned as the country's first genre-specific Hindi entertainment channel, offering a dedicated home for historical and mythological storytelling rather than mixing such content into a general entertainment schedule. Headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, the channel operates as part of the IN10 Media Network umbrella and streams digitally through its Epic ON platform.

The channel's content is built around a contemporary retelling of India's past, covering eras ranging from ancient epics and medieval kingdoms to colonial-era narratives and the modern history of independent India. Its programming mix combines fiction series, narrative non-fiction, short-form content and feature films, and its stated slogan is "Soch Se Aage," meaning "Ahead of Thought." Over the years the brand has expanded beyond the flagship channel into a small family of sister services, including Epic Bharat, Epic Bhojpuri, Epic Kids, Epic Music and Epic Parivaar.

Launch and Ownership

The Epic Channel went on air on 19 November 2014 at 9 pm. The venture was spearheaded by Mahesh Samat, the founder and managing director of Epic Television Networks Pvt. Ltd. The company was promoted by three well-known business figures: Mukesh Ambani, Anand Mahindra and Rohit Khattar. Anand Mahindra, chairman and managing director of Mahindra & Mahindra, publicly endorsed the launch, commenting that the Hindi entertainment landscape was undergoing a dramatic transformation and that a revolution in the broadcast space was needed to engage a more evolved audience.

Mahesh Samat explained the rationale for a channel devoted entirely to history and mythology in terms of three observations. First, he argued that the Indian television market was largely homogenised, divided into general entertainment, sports and news, with little genre segmentation beyond those blocks, and that digitisation had created room for a more sophisticated offering. Second, he noted that industry data suggested around 16 percent of programming on general entertainment channels was already history- or mythology-based, indicating a natural viewer affinity for the genre. Third, he said the venture grew out of his own personal passion for history and mythology, which helped him sense that segmenting television in this way could succeed.

The managing director of the channel is Aditya Pittie, who is also the chief executive officer of the Pittie Group. Distribution at launch was handled by Indiacast, which placed the channel on leading direct-to-home and digital cable platforms across India.

Programming Concept

Epic TV's defining proposition is its genre focus. Rather than competing head-on with mainstream general entertainment channels, the channel set out to aggregate content set in Indian historic and mythological eras, presented in a contemporary format with high production values. At launch, the channel committed to action, drama, comedy, supernatural themes and narrative non-fiction, with stories that were described as innovative and shot at real locations with HD cameras. Original content was scheduled for two and a half hours each day, with prime time running from 8.30 pm to 11 pm. Weekend programming was designed to be movie-led, while weekdays carried a mix of fiction, non-fiction and short-form content. The launch line-up was supported by a slate of 13 driver shows, four of which premiered on the first day.

The channel was designed to appeal to both men and women, a departure from the female-skewed audience profile of many Hindi general entertainment channels. Weekend programming included a film-based show hosted by actor-comedian Javed Jaffrey, who discussed movies from the 1970s and 1980s in a lighter vein, connecting the channel's historical sensibility to the popular culture of earlier decades.

Launch Programmes

The four shows that premiered on launch night illustrated the channel's range. Siyaasat was a period drama; Dharmakshetra was a courtroom-style narrative set against the aftermath of the Mahabharata war; Dariba Diaries was a crime series set in nineteenth-century Delhi; and Daanav Hunters explored supernatural and folklore themes. Together they demonstrated the channel's stated mix of action, drama, comedy and the supernatural, all anchored in Indian history and mythology.

Key Programmes and Series

Over the following years the channel built a library of original series that reinforced its historical identity. Devlok with Devdutt Pattanaik, which ran for three seasons, featured the noted mythologist interpreting stories from Hindu mythology. Ekaant, which ran for two seasons plus a "Sarhad Paar" special episode, explored abandoned historical locations across India. Epic Ke Dus, also in two seasons, presented lists and countdowns drawn from Indian history and culture.

Food history was covered by Raja, Rasoi Aur Anya Kahaniyaan and Lost Recipes, which traced the origins of Indian cuisine. The channel's historical series included Siyaasat, Stories by Rabindranath Tagore, Time Machine, Adrishya, Lootere – The Bandits of India (three seasons), Kalyug: Ek Aarambh, Roz Sunday and Yam Kisi Se Kam Nahin. Acquired programming included Glory to God, Cultural Heritage India and Hit The Road India.

The channel also commissioned personality-led non-fiction: Once More with Javed Jaffrey and Back to Flashback with Javed Jaffrey, Mid Wicket Tales with Naseeruddin Shah, Jaane Pehchaane with Javed Akhtar and Khwaabon Ka Safar with Mahesh Bhatt. Other originals included Kahi Suni, Sanrachna, Indian Martial Arts – Ek Itihas, Kissa Currency Ka, Made in India, Epic Explorer, Epic Khoj, Epicpedia and Drishti, a documentary strand.

Netflix and Wider Distribution of Content

Several of Epic TV's programmes found an audience beyond linear television. Titles including Raja, Rasoi Aur Anya Kahaniyaan, Kahi Suni, Dharmakshetra and Sanrachana were added to Netflix, where they were reported to have been popular with the Indian diaspora. This gave the channel's Indian-history storytelling an international footprint without requiring it to alter its core programming strategy.

Digital Platform: Epic ON

The company's digital platform, Epic ON, was launched in early 2017, making most of the channel's shows available for streaming. Epic ON serves as the digital home of the Epic brand's content library in India, accessible at epicon.in, and carries the channel's live and catch-up programming alongside its original series.

Network Expansion and Sister Channels

The company has described a vision of building itself as a media network with ventures across the content life-cycle, consolidated under the banner of IN10 Media. As part of its expansion plans, the network announced new television channels including a kids channel and a family entertainment offering. The current sister-channel family listed for the Epic brand includes Epic Bharat, Epic Bhojpuri, Epic Kids, Epic Music and Epic Parivaar, extending the brand's historical-storytelling identity into regional languages and adjacent genres.

Availability and Distribution

At launch the channel was made available through Indiacast on leading DTH platforms, including Tata Sky on SD channel 133, Airtel Digital on SD channel 125 and HD channel 126, and Videocon d2h on SD channel 117, alongside availability on digital cable platforms such as Hathway, DEN Networks, GTPL and IMCL. At launch the channel was expected to reach close to 35 million households. Today it is available in both standard and high definition, with picture formats listed as 1080p full HD for its HD feed.

Editorial Identity

Epic TV remains unusual in the Indian broadcast market for having been built around a single content genre rather than a demographic or language. Its sustained commitment to Indian history, mythology and folklore — from epic retellings and period dramas to culinary history and mythology documentaries — has defined its brand since its launch night in November 2014, and its expansion into digital streaming and sister channels has kept that identity intact as the broader Indian television market has evolved.