Sony to add 10 channels in 2017

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India's new strategic decision is to add entertaining and engaging channels catering to a variety of viewers to its existing bouquet next year.

Sony has been working on its plans to expand its portfolio by adding 10 new channels which will include five sports channels. The remainder will be divided between kids, music and infotainment genres. SPN India is awaiting regulatory approval.

 Sony Pictures Networks CEO NP Singh said, “The company expanded its portfolio in 2016. New channels are coming in a few months". Singh further added, "We are integrating five Ten Sports channels, HD music channel, kids channel and infotainment channel.”

In the beginning of 2016, Sony added two channels -- Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD to its sports bouquet in collaboration with ESPN. Later that year, SPN India launched its third movie channel -- Sony Wah and also came up with Sony Le Plex, an English movie channel.

In August 2016, the network announced a deal to acquire Ten Sports Network from Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEE) and its subsidiaries for US$ 385 million. The acquisition added South Asia's leading sports network to SPN's portfolio.

The year seems to have been satisfying for Sony Pictures. Talking about the network’s flagship channel Sony Entertainment Television, Singh said, "The year has been good for the network. We have been able to successfully achieve leadership on weekends. Also, we have seen the audience accepting our fiction shows." Singh added, "In the next six months, I am sure, we will see a surge in viewership on weekdays too. We climbed up from number six to three, and hope Sony will continue to grow from there.”

The channel is bringing back the ninth season of one its iconic shows Indian Idol on 24 December.

Media distribution infra needs to change: Star India CEO Uday Shankar

NEW DELHI: Lack of infrastructure is impacting the media and entertainment industry and improving its current state could fuel growth in the sector, top media executives have said.

Star India CEO Uday Shankar said, “The distribution infrastructure of the industry has to change. There needs to be fundamental transformation in terms of screens for films, cable networks for television and digital infrastructure advertising."

Shankar was addressing the session on ‘How a flourishing M&E industry can deliver on India’s dream of Growth, Equity and Jobs’ during a two-day meet to mark the 89th Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Shankar is also the chairman of FICCI Media and Entertainment Committee.

In his closing remarks, Shankar said that lack of infrastructure, which was crucial for the industry was the major obstacle for growth, and improving the existing scenario by fixing few issues could fuel growth. “This is because it has the ability to employ and integrate people at the margins of the society,” he added.

The Indian Media and Entertainment industry is estimated to be worth around $18 billion, and employs about six million people.

However, he said the industry is unrecognized in terms of economic value and contribution to the country’s GDP, and represents only 0.9%. The lower contribution to the economy of the country is because the industry is stuck in a plethora of regulations including pricing of content, and lack of adequate infrastructure to monetise their content.

India Today Group chairman Aroon Purie, speaking on how the Media and Entertainment industry could deliver on India’s dream said that the television industry was impacted because of the regulations surrounding pricing of content and the disintegrated cable networks in the country. “Of the Rs 14,000 crore collected by the cable companies, only Rs 4,000 crore reaches the broadcaster,” Purie said.

Voicing similar concern on behalf of the film industry, FICCI Film Forum chairman Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra said that, though India produced around 1200 movies a year – the highest in the world – it could not monetise because of lack of theatres. “We want to have people’s theatres where the middle class family can go and watch movies at affordable prices,” Mehra said, adding that the higher number of screens directly translates into increase in revenue for film producers.

GroupM South Asia CEO C V L Srinivas said, with consumers increasingly moving to digital and social media, the government should look at integrating all its efforts in building digital infrastructure. “One-point agenda is: improving the digital infrastructure,” he added.

Sony strengthens weekday programming; launching four shows by July '17

MUMBAI: After strengthening the weekend programming with Super Dancer, Sony Entertainment Television is all set to bring one of its iconic shows -- Indian Idol -- back.

“Sony has traditionally done very well as far as the weekend is concerned. So, when we started rebuilding this channel a year ago, the aim was to make Sony the number one weekend destination. I am happy to say that we have achieved that. Weekday programming is where we are going to focus now. We have launched Beyhadh which received a good opening. Weekday is a habit which will take time to be cultivated, and can't happen in one go,” said Sony Entertainment Television EVP and business head Danish Khan.

Khan added, “There are three-four launches between January and July in 2017, and, in July, people will see a very healthy weekend. It will be gradual, step by step, but, like you have seen in the weekend, you will see weekday of Sony fulfilling expectation of the audience very soon.” Sony's much talked about historical drama Peshwa Bajirao is slated to launch in January.

Indian Idol is the first step in bringing back the old iconic shows of Sony. The show will be aired from 24 December on Saturday and Sunday at 8pm.

The channel has roped in Vivo as the title sponsors, and KUV 100 and Quick Heal as the 'Co-powered By' sponsors. According to sources, a 10-sec ad rate for the show has been sold for Rs 1 lakh each.

This season also marks the comeback of its original trio of judges, Farah Khan, Sonu Nigam and Anu Malik, which has come together on the platform once again, after 12 years. Their chemistry and unique style of interaction with the participants holds promise -- to make this season an ultimate entertainer on the Indian television.

While the contestants impress viewers with their talent, the judges will also mark them on three most important factors that define the Indian Idol platform – Riyaaz, Awaaz and Andaaz. The legendary singing sensation of India, Sonu Nigam, will focus on the contestants’ ‘Riyaaz’, the maestro Anu Malik will be keenly observing their ‘Awaaz’, and known for her distinguished style, Bollywood’s ace choreographer-turned-director Farah Khan will judge their ‘Andaaz’.

The show will begin with audition episodes from across the country; episodes that witnessed lakhs of talented singers competing to make it into the top 110. Hosting the ninth season will be the charming Karan Wahi and Paritosh Tripathy.

Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Sony Pictures Networks CEO NP Singh said, “It’s an authentic talent hunt show with authentic talent. Indian Idol is a show which broke new ground a few years ago, and in many ways changed the landscape of reality shows in India. It worked really well for us.”

Post the fantastic success of its most popular show Super Dancer, the channel now brings to the fore one of its biggest properties -- Indian Idol. Khan informed, “We have created a dedicated time of 8pm on weekends that will continue to bring unseen talent to our viewers. Super Dancer saw some amazing dancers and now, with Indian Idol, we intend to take this legacy ahead. The original trio of judges is a wonderful combination in the world of music and their chemistry coupled with outstanding singers will surely create magic on screen.”

Said FremantleMedia India business head Vidyuth Bhandary, “The global phenomenon of the Idol format -- launched in 52 territories worldwide and rated as the No 1 show 48 times -- has been watched by half a billion viewers globally, making it one of the world’s most loved shows. We are proud of our strong partnership and collaboration with Sony Pictures Networks India, and happy to announce the launch of the 9th season of Indian Idol. It's been 12 years since the first season of Indian Idol was launched on SET making it the longest-running reality show in India with unprecedented participation.”

The channel will soon bring back all its iconic shows such as -- KBC and Dus Ka Dum.

“Indian Idol has been a torch-bearer of sorts in terms of the non-fiction programming slate for Sony, and has proved to be a war-horse when it comes to TVR numbers. Thus, it's great news for Sony that the show is making a return after a rather long hiatus and what's better is that they have gone back to the earlier panel of judges, which allows the audience to find an instant connect from the word go. What's worked for the show earlier is the platform that it has provided for stars of the future, but the fact that the show wasn't around for four years has allowed other shows like 'The Voice' to create ample room for competition. It will be a great battle to be witnessed between Indian Idol's return along with a new format in Colors' Rising Star on the small screen in the coming days,” said a senior media planner.

Sony Pix to telecast 'Fast and Furious'; eighth slated for April '17

MUMBAI: Fourteen years, countless stunts, hundreds of damaged cars and seven films all narrows down to one thrilling movie series of all time, The Fast and Furious series. Sony Pix is all geared up to bring the Fast and Furious Pixathon (Part 1-5 and 7) all day on 17 December starting from 9 am.

The concept of the movie is inspired by Racer X and has renowned directors like Rob Cohen, John Singleton, Justin Line, James Wan and Gary Gray on board who have created a storm with each installment. The plot revolves around illegal street racing, thefts and series of action packed sequences that showcases swanky cars hovering in the air in beautiful locations with the best cast from the industry.

The series has grossed a total of $ 3,900,497,522 worldwide and opened to rave reviews each time it came out with its installment and gave the audience some serious mind rush. Each of the film have managed to create a ripple effect globally with death defying stunts and action.

Furious 7 also marks the final performance of the late Paul Walker and the film was dedicated to his memory. The movie ends at Dom and Brian bidding each other farewell and driving off in separate directions, who knew that a slight glimpse of the next installment would take the audience on a different ride altogether.

The much awaited Fast and Furious 8, which is slated for an April 2017 release, will also have its TV premiere on Sony Pix.

Film	Time
The Fast and Furious	9AM
2 Fast and 2 Furious	11:30 AM
Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift	1:30PM
Fast and Furious 4	4PM
Fast 5	6PM
Furious 7	9PM