Sony Pictures Networks India

Sony Pictures Networks India is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation, Japan. It has a subsidiary, MSM-Worldwide Factual Media Private Limited and an affiliate, Bangla Entertainment Private Limited in India.[1]

Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt Ltd
FoundedOctober 1995 (October 1995)
HeadquartersMumbai, Maharashtra, India
Key people
Digvijay Singh (MD and CEO)
Nitin Nadkarni (CFO)
Ashok Nambissan (General Counsel)
OwnerSony
Number of employees
1200+
WebsiteSony Pictures Networks India Website

SPN manages and operates 26 television channels, 1 OTT platform, 1 film production arm and 1 independent production venture for original content and IPs for TV and digital media.[2]

History

It was founded in October 1995 as Multi Screen Media Limited. In November 2015, the company was renamed as Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN).[3]

Sports
See also: Sony Six and Sony Ten

The network forayed into the Indian sports TV market in 2002 after acquiring the licence rights for ICC matches from 2003 to 2007,[4] which were broadcast on SET and Sony MAX.[5] In 2008, along with Singapore-based World Sport Group, it won the broadcast rights for the IPL for 10 years.[6] In April 2012, it launched it first sports channel Sony SIX.[7] In August 2016, it acquired the TEN Sports network from Zee Entertainment Enterprises.[8]

General entertainment

In the general entertainment category, Sony Entertainment Television (SET)[9] and Sony SAB[10] are the network's premier channels. Offering content from SET and Sony SAB is Sony Pal,[11] a channel targeted towards rural Hindi-speaking markets. AXN[12] broadcasts action and adventure-based programming. Sony YAY![13] is a kids’ entertainment channel that airs several shows in regional languages.

The network also has a joint venture with BBC Earth to showcase factual programming via Sony BBC Earth.[14] Sony Aath is a premium Bangla entertainment channel centered on showcasing series, films, cartoons and sports events produced or dubbed in Bengali. Sony Marathi is a Marathi channel aimed at the Maharashtra audience.

Online

In January 2013, the network forayed into video-on-demand with the launch of its OTT platform, SonyLIV.[15] Its library consists of content from the network's channels in India such as SET and Sony SAB, alongside originals such as, Gullak,[16] LIV Shout Out[17] and Holycross.[18] Apart from archival and regional content, movie premieres, short films and LIVE sports are also a part of SonyLIV’s offerings.

The platform has crossed 109 million app downloads and is available in five languages, along with select programming in Hindi, English, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu.[19]

Movies

Sony Max[20] and Sony Max 2[21] offer Hindi cinema to viewers. Sony MAX showcases world premieres, while Sony MAX HD focuses to Indian viewers who prefer a high definition viewing experience. Sony MAX 2 caters to viewers who appreciate evergreen Indian cinema.

Alongside these, the network offers Sony Pix[22] basing its programming on Hollywood films and Sony WAH,[23] which is a FTA movie channel.

Sony Pictures Networks Productions

Set up in 2013, Sony Pictures Networks Productions (SPNP)[24] is the film production arm of the network. It produces cinema for Indian diaspora audiences worldwide. In 2015, SPNP has produced and distributed films such as Darr @ the Mall, Youngistaan, Piku, Chalk n Duster, Azhar, Mubarakan, Poster Boys, Padman, 102 Not Out, Soorma, Bombairiya and Ghoomketu.[25]

The upcoming films from SPNP include Shakuntala Devi, Nikamma, Aankh Micholi, Helmet and Looop Lapeta among others.

Studio NEXT

An independent business unit of SPN, Studio NEXT[26] creates original content and IPs for television and digital media within India and globally. The venture began its journey by co-producing Season 10 of KBC in partnership with BIG Synergy. Going forward, Studio NEXT will continue to produce new IPs whilst leveraging the existing ones under SPN media.

Corporate Social Responsibility

'Ek India Happywala' is the call-to-action under which the network guides its contribution towards society. To create change in society, it focuses on 3 impact areas - Environment, Education and Empowerment.[27]

The network associates itself with several NGOs such as Krida Vikas Sanstha,[28] Cricket Association for the Blind of Maharashtra (CABM)[29] and ConnectEd Technologies to name a few, and undertakes initiatives such as providing clean drinking water to drought-affected areas in Maharashtra[27] and supporting upcoming Indian athletes with equipment and training required to compete at international events among a few.

International presence and distribution reach

SPN reaches out to over 700 million viewers across India and is available in 167 countries.[1]

Closed Channels
  • AXN
  • Animax
  • Sony Le Plex
  • Sony ROX
  • Sony MIX
  • Sony ESPN

See also

References
  1. "Sony Pictures Networks India Enters Into a Licensing Agreement With The Indian Performing Right Society Ltd". www.businesswireindia.com. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  2. "Sony Pictures Networks: Life after IPL". www.fortuneindia.com. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  3. "Multi Screen Media (MSM) is now Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) - Exchange4media". Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  4. "Sony bags World Cup TV rights". Times of India. 15 February 2002. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  5. "Sony to air ICC Champion's Trophy on MAX and SET, no plans for sports channel". exchange4media. 4 April 2002. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  6. "Sony and World Sports Group bag IPL television rights". ESPNCricinfo. 14 January 2008. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  7. "Coming from Sony: Sports channel named Six". Business Standard. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  8. "Sony Pictures Networks India to Acquire Ten Sports for $385 Million". Hollywood Reporter. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  9. "SET India - Indian Television, Hindi Serials, TV Shows & Live Reality Soaps| Entertainment Channel". www.setindia.com. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  10. "SAB TV". www.sabtv.com. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  11. "Sony Pal Information".
  12. "AXN India strengthens its weekend programming with new shows fresh from the US - Exchange4media". Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  13. "Sony YAY! turns 2 - Exchange4media". Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  14. www.ETBrandEquity.com. "It is official! Sony BBC Earth launches in India - ET BrandEquity". ETBrandEquity.com. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  15. "SonyLIV launches video-on-demand service".
  16. "SonyLIV launches new Hindi original web series, Gullak - Exchange4media". Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  17. "SonyLIV brings its first ever unscripted original, LIV Shout Out with Aditya Narayan". MediaNews4U. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  18. Rajesh, Author: Srividya (24 January 2019). "Tarun Gahlot in Holy Cross, Vikram Bhatt's web-series for SonyLIV". IWMBuzz. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  19. V, NARAYANAN. "SonyLIV enters Tamil digital content space". @businessline. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  20. "SONY MAX - Deewana bana de". www.sonymax.tv. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  21. "Sony MAX2". www.sonymax2.tv. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  22. "Sony PIX". www.sonypix.com. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  23. "SONY WAH". www.sonywah.tv. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  24. "SPN Productions". www.spnproductions.in. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  25. "Sony Pictures Networks Productions unveils two new releases for 2018". TelevisionPost: Latest News, India’s Television, Cable, DTH, TRAI. 5 April 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  26. Laghate, Gaurav (28 August 2018). "Sony Pictures launches separate content unit". The Economic Times. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  27. "Sony Pictures Networks India Takes a Step Towards Change - Provides over 20,00,000 litres of Potable Water to Villages in Maharashtra". Indian Television Dot Com. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  28. "The SPN National Inclusion Cup 2019 a CSR Initiative of Sony Pictures Networks India". www.businesswireindia.com. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  29. "Sony Pictures Networks associates with the Cricket Association for the Blind of Maharashtra for the state level cricket tournament". www.sonypicturesnetworks.com. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
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