With this launch, Sony Pictures will have 29 channels in its portfolio
Broadcasting giant Sony Pictures Network says that entertainment, sports and digital will form three core areas of its business in India.
The company said it is looking to cover the whole spectrum in the broadcasting genres, including kids channel, which it plans to launch in next two weeks.
For factual entertainment, it has entered into a 74: 26 per cent joint venture with British firm BBC to launch its first factual entertainment channel Sony BCC Earth.
The channel will go on air next week.
With this launch, SPN will have 29 channels in its portfolio.
Last year, Sony Pictures Network had bought Ten Sports from Zee Entertainment Ltd for ₹2,600 crore, to bolster its sports broadcasting business.
“We are constantly looking to expand our portfolio with compelling content. There is strong market for factual entertainment in India. Our JV with BBC is intended at capturing this niche audience,” N P Singh, CEO, Sony Pictures Network, told BusinessLine.
Singh said the company is seeing substantial traction from advertisers and consumers.
Sony BBC Earth will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
Singh said that the company will have close to 19 hours of content every week.
The channel has roped in Bollywood actor Karishma Kapoor as its brand ambassador.
Speaking on the channel’s expansion, Singh said it will be entering the kids entertainment segment by launching its channel soon.
The kids channel in India is currently dominated by Viacom18 (Nick and Sonic), Turner India (Pogo and Cartoon Network) and Disney India (Disney Channel and Hungama).
SPN’s digital platform SonyLIV had recently launched Liv Kids featuring content designed for children.
Asked if linear television is facing threat from digital, Singh said that linear television is here to grow in India.
“Digital is only complementing that growth,” he said.
SPN is also the broadcaster which has rights for IPL T20 cricket.
The company said it has already roped in close to nine sponsors for 10th season of the IPL set to be launched on April 20.