India, Nov. 1 -- What if Netflix's next big hit in India is not an expensive scripted original, but a reality show with a ready-made fan base? The streaming giant appears to be warming up to an idea it once seemed determined to move away from: television.

Netflix is increasingly turning to established television franchises, reality formats and non-fiction programming to reach a wider audience in India. Its recent content choices, including Lock Upp, The Great Indian Kapil Show and deals for MTV Hustle and MTV Roadies, point to that shift in India.

The change is significant for a platform that initially built its India proposition around premium, urban-focused originals and international programming. In the fourth quarter of 2021, Netfli...