Rival channels use Salman to compete with Sultan

The world television premiere of Salman Khan's Sultan will take place tonight - 8PM Indian Standard Time on Sony Max. The year hasn't been great as far as television premieres are concerned, with Varun Dhawan's Dishoom topping the list of 2016 releases, followed by Housefull 3. No films has managed to cross the 1 crore mark this year.

While Dishoom will be easily surpassed, the record that Salman hopes to beat will be the viewership record that Prem Ratan Dhan Payo' set earlier this year.

The number to beat will be 2.51 crore (BARC Rating), but competing channels are well aware of the fact that it's only Salman who can compete with himself.

Zee Cinema will be airing Salman's Hum Aapke Hain Kaun' at 8PM tonight, setting up a television-clash with Sultan'. The target audience will be those at rural towns, especially in the North, where Sooraj Barjatya films command a huge following.

We also have Star Gold's trump card Bajrangi Bhaijaan' which will be aired at 9PM, after hour after Sultan' begins.

It's going to be Salman Khan across all major Hindi movie channels tonight. While one channel targets record television viewership, its rivals have made some smart choice as far as picking some of their most popular films to compete against Sultan'.

The viewership numbers will be out during the Diwali weekend. Stay tuned to Indicine.