ITV

Tag: Jaideep Janakiram

  • Sony adds two channels to its Canadian offering through ATN

    Sony adds two channels to its Canadian offering through ATN

    Mumbai: South Asian broadcaster Asian Television Network International (ATN) has acquired the Canadian distribution rights for two more TV channels from Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) namely Sony YAY! and Sony PAL.

    Sony YAY! is India’s go-to kids channel for non-stop Kids entertainment! Its vision is to be a part of kids’ everyday lives through various endeavours. A channel targeted at kids aged between two–14 years, Sony YAY! is here to set new standards and benchmarks in kids’ entertainment genre with its unique, fresh and relatable content.

    Sony PAL is the general entertainment channel (GEC) from the SPN stable. The channel showcases stories and characters which forms an instant bond with its viewers. With the tagline “Yeh Pal Humara Hai,” which means this moment is ours, Sony PAL aims to bring positivity through its content offerings which inspires its viewers.

    ATN CEO and president Dr Shan Chandrasekar said,“We are very proud of our long association with Sony Pictures Networks, a world leader in Entertainment. We are delighted to launch our first children’s channel across Canada along with another popular General Entertainment Channel from the network. With the massive growth in South Asian population across Canada, these channels will attract a large loyal audience.”

    ATN already has a long-lasting association with Sony Pictures Networks India and distributes five channels across Canada namely Set HD, Sony SAB, Sony MAX, Sony MAX2, and Sony AATH. Sony YAY!  and Sony PAL will be launched on 13 September on Telus Optik TV in Western Canada, and soon after in other parts of the country through licensed distributors.

    Sony Entertainment Television senior vice president of international business America Jaideep Janakiram said, “We are ecstatic to announce our launch in Canada with Sony YAY! and Sony PAL. Our partnership with ATN goes a long way and will further help in taking our channels to the right audiences. The consumption of Indian content has surged amongst the South Asian diaspora in recent years and the launch of both these channels in Canada will fill in the gap of audiences with our compelling content.”

  • Sony Entertainment to broadcast American College Cricket

    Sony Entertainment to broadcast American College Cricket

    MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television Asia (SET Asia) has acquired the exclusive media rights for American College Cricket (ACC), and will be the official broadcast partner beginning the season of 2016, ACC stated in a press release. SET Asia will broadcast major match-ups including regional and national semi-final and final matches.

    President of American College Cricket Lloyd Jodah, announcing the new broadcast partnership arrangement, said, “It’s the right time, and Sony is the ideal Broadcast Partner for American College Cricket to go back on TV. Since March 2009, we’ve been setting the bar for cricket in America, and Sony’s experience in broadcasting major tournaments will ensure we take cricket in the USA to the next level. America & Canada will get to see the young talent representing well-known universities, which in addition to their educational reputations, are major brands in sports such as football, basketball, baseball, soccer and more. American College Cricket has created a new platform which, together with SET Asia will raise the stature of the game in North America significantly higher.”

    Across the US and Canada, there is a growing number of students who are ardent cricket fans. Many play at a local or regional level. ACC and SET Asia will provide opportunities for them to play the sport at a competitive, national level. With an ever-increasing interest in the game and growth in available resources, cricket in North America is now poised to exponentially expand its player and viewership base.

    Talking about the role of SET Asia, SVP International Business-Head of the Americas Jaideep Janakiram said, “SET Asia is developing relevant, localized content to cater to the preferences of youth in the United States. We believe cricket, played locally, will be a driver for success. We are excited about the partnership with ACC, not just broadcast rights but also the key role we play in amplifying the game in North America.”

  • Sony Entertainment to broadcast American College Cricket

    Sony Entertainment to broadcast American College Cricket

    MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television Asia (SET Asia) has acquired the exclusive media rights for American College Cricket (ACC), and will be the official broadcast partner beginning the season of 2016, ACC stated in a press release. SET Asia will broadcast major match-ups including regional and national semi-final and final matches.

    President of American College Cricket Lloyd Jodah, announcing the new broadcast partnership arrangement, said, “It’s the right time, and Sony is the ideal Broadcast Partner for American College Cricket to go back on TV. Since March 2009, we’ve been setting the bar for cricket in America, and Sony’s experience in broadcasting major tournaments will ensure we take cricket in the USA to the next level. America & Canada will get to see the young talent representing well-known universities, which in addition to their educational reputations, are major brands in sports such as football, basketball, baseball, soccer and more. American College Cricket has created a new platform which, together with SET Asia will raise the stature of the game in North America significantly higher.”

    Across the US and Canada, there is a growing number of students who are ardent cricket fans. Many play at a local or regional level. ACC and SET Asia will provide opportunities for them to play the sport at a competitive, national level. With an ever-increasing interest in the game and growth in available resources, cricket in North America is now poised to exponentially expand its player and viewership base.

    Talking about the role of SET Asia, SVP International Business-Head of the Americas Jaideep Janakiram said, “SET Asia is developing relevant, localized content to cater to the preferences of youth in the United States. We believe cricket, played locally, will be a driver for success. We are excited about the partnership with ACC, not just broadcast rights but also the key role we play in amplifying the game in North America.”

  • Sony Entertainment takes HD route in the US

    Sony Entertainment takes HD route in the US

    MUMBAI: From now on, viewers in America can enjoy their favorite SET (Sony Entertainment Television) Asia programmes including some of the popular shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati, Sanjeev Kapoor Ke Kitchen Khiladi, Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana and the World Television Premier blockbusters in high definition (HD).

    Recently, the network — part of Multi Screen Media (MSM) — announced that it had made its HD feed available on direct to home platform Dish and the IPTV service Dishworld. While most Indian channels are already available as a part of several packages on Dish and DishWorld, the only ones that also have a HD version are Zee TV, Star India Plus and Willow Cricket. Amongst the GECs, the only one which is yet to get its HD channels running in the US is Colors.

    Talking about the development, SVP of International Business, head of North America Jaideep Janakiram said in a press release: “Sony Entertainment Network has always embraced excellence in content and quality, going HD is another step in that direction. SET Asia will continue to keep its viewers in the entertainment forefront, and I am sure that our consumers will enjoy the enhanced viewer experience.”

    Industry sources say that the HD offerings by Indian GECs have not found too many takers as yet in the US and that it is still at a very nascent stage there and it would require some time to grow. “But it would reap benefits,” says IndiaCast group COO Gaurav Gandhi, who believes that the US is probably the most lucrative amongst international markets for Indian broadcasters. “The Indian TV networks have been earning a lot from the American market, especially with popular channels like Star, Zee, Colors and Sony,” says Gandhi.

    Indian channels are classified in the south Asian bouquet provided by Dish in the US. And they are available in various packages, according to its website. At the top of the heap is the Mega Pack, which offers blockbuster movies, music videos, action-packed thrillers, the biggest reality shows, sitcoms, family drama, up-to the minute news and current affairs, and lifestyle at $54.99 per month.

    “Hindi Mega Pack is the No 1 choice for Hindi Television Entertainment in the US and is sure to enthrall every member of the family…with no activation fee and free standard installation,” writes Dish on its website.

    The two platforms have many more interesting packages on offer that clubs some of the popular channels. Interestingly, DishWorld offers an exclusive “Sony Package” at $ 14.95 per month that has on offer all the four channels — Sony HD, SET MAX, SAB and Sony Mix. Besides, the package also includes “13 great English International channels” for free including Eurochannel, Euronews, Trace Urban, Blue Ocean Network, Baby TV, Ebru TV, LUXE TV, France 24 (English), Fashion TV, Zoom, NDTV 24/7, RT and Bloomberg.

    Dish too has special packages. A package that clubs Zee and Sony is available at $ 24.99 per month and includes Zee TV and Sony Entertainment Televison Asia, both HD and standard definition. The package in its programming also includes game shows, live concerts and talk shows daily news feeds, music videos and more.

    Another package, available at the same price, has Sony Entertainment Television Asia and Aapka Colors and the programming includes fresh new shows, dramas and serials, news and movies from Bollywood, the biggest reality shows and a lot of other things.

    Other packages in which Sony Entertainment Television Asia is available are Hindi: Premium at $44.99, Hindi: Super at $39.99 and Hindi Elite at $34.99 per month each.

    Interestingly, SET Asia HD will be available on both Dish platforms at no additional cost to subscribers. Satellite customers can just tune in on HD channel 9663; subscribers who do not have an HD receiver can only access SET Asia in standard definition on channel 695.

    Dish director of programming, Sruta Vootukuru said: “DISH is the leading provider of HD international content to viewers in the US, and we are pleased to add SET Asia HD to this impressive lineup. We remain committed to offering the best programming options to our nation’s South Asian communities interested in high-definition entertainment from their home countries.”

  • SET launches in New York City through RCN deal

    SET launches in New York City through RCN deal

    MUMBAI: RCN, the all-digital cable, internet and phone provider in New York City, has added Sony Entertainment Television (Set) Asia as part of its 100 per cent per cent-digital TV platform beginning 2 April. The channel will be part of the brand-new RCN ‘Sona‘ tier, including other premium South Asian networks.

    “We‘re very excited to announce the launch of Sony Entertainment Television in New York City. It falls perfectly in line with our goal to continually add more networks that provide maximum entertainment and value for our customers,” RCN New York General Manager Bruce Abbott.

    SET SVP International Business-Head of North America Jaideep Janakiram said, “At Sony Entertainment Television, we continue to lead in ways to make our programming available to the widest possible audience. We are proud to announce the launch of Set Asia on RCN and are committed to bring our viewers the best family entertainment and Bollywood blockbusters.”

  • SET selects Rentrak to provide TV ratings service in US

    MUMBAI: Hindi general entertainment channel Sony Entertainment Television (SET) Asia has signed a multi-year TV essentials contract with Rentrak, the multi-screen media measurement service provider, for the US market.

    The broadcaster will work with Rentrak‘s TV ratings currency to provide detailed measurement to advertisers and agencies and remain competitive in the South Asian marketplace.

    Sony Entertainment Network SVP international business- head of North America Jaideep Janakiram said, “Rentrak‘s stable and granular TV ratings information as our currency will assist SET Asia to provide detailed measurement allowing our advertising clients to precisely target their campaigns.”

    Rentrak president of national linear television Chris Wilson added, “Rentrak is proud to serve the South Asian category and prove the value of SET‘s audience through our unique advertising targets. The South Asian market is among the fastest growing populations in the United States and the growing networks serving this audience need stable measurement to help them be competitive within the industry.”

    Rentrak‘s television ratings measurement service provides daily measurement of all TV networks nationally and at a granular level for TV stations in all 210 media markets nationwide. The service incorporates information from over 30 million televisions and is the only fully integrated system of detailed satellite, telco and cable TV viewing data commercially available.

  • MSM launches Sony Mix in US on Dish Network

    MSM launches Sony Mix in US on Dish Network

    MUMBAI: Sony Mix, Multi Screen Media‘s (MSM) Hindi music channel, has launched on leading US direct-broadcast satellite service provider, Dish Network.

    Moving into the gap created by erstwhile music channels rechristened as ‘youth channels‘ and other music channels dishing out non-music content as interstitial programming, the channel is confident that viewers shall enjoy Mix as a channel that remains true to the music genre.

    Mix also aims to maintain its focus on content by producing packaged shows offering right from user generated content to people profiles executed in the most unmistakably musical fashion.

    Says Sony Entertainment Television (SET) SVP International Business and Head of North America Jaideep Janakiram, “We are proud to announce the launch of our music channel – Mix on DISH Network for the discerning South Asian lovers of Hindi film music. We are confident that MIX will connect with every viewer with its variety of music and special programming. Mix is and shall stay true to music.”

    Dish Network Director of Programming Sruta Vootukuru states, “Sony Mix‘s unique theme-based music format helps Dish deliver a better experience to our customers. Adding the Sony MIX channel compliments Dish‘s robust international programming and enhances our South Asian offerings.”

    In a related development, SET has launched its flagship HIndi general entertainment channel Sony Entertainment on RCN, the all-Digital Cable, Internet & Phone provider in New York City effective 2 April.

    The channel is part of the brand-new RCN “Sona” tier, including other premium South Asian networks.

    “We‘re very excited to announce the launch of Sony Entertainment Television in New York City,” said RCN New York General Manager Bruce Abbott. “It falls perfectly in line with our goal to continually add more networks that provide maximum entertainment and value for our customers.”

    Adds Janakiram, “At Sony Entertainment Television, we continue to lead in ways to make our programming available to the widest possible audience. We are proud to announce the launch of SET Asia on RCN and are committed to bring our viewers the best family entertainment and Bollywood blockbusters.”