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Tag: Sony Pictures Entertainment

  • Sony Electronics focusses on transformation this year

    Sony Electronics focusses on transformation this year

    MUMBAI: Sony Electronics says that it is continuing its transformation into an entertainment powerhouse.

    At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas it has a 100,000 square-foot exhibit that brings together all of the company’s strengths from electronics, music and gaming to movies, television and online entertainment.

    In a press conference kicked off by Sony BMG Music Grammy award-winning musician Joshua Bell, several of the company’s US business leaders announced products and technologies related to four strategic growth areas — gaming, high definition, digital imaging and mobile products.

    Sony Electronics president and COO Stan Glasgow unveilled the company’s first Internet video system. He announced that in 2007 the majority of new Sony televisions — starting
    with several Bravia flat-panel LCD TVs this year– will accept an attachable module that can stream broadband high-definition and other Internet video content with the press of a remote control button. The module will be available this summer.

    Glasgow said, “While other companies struggle with standard definition, Sony has developed a scalable Internet HDTV solution with some notable partners providing content”. Those partners include AOL, Yahoo! and Grouper, now part of Sony Pictures Entertainment, as well as Sony Pictures itself and Sony BMG.

    Sony’s Xross Media Bar (XMB), an icon-based user interface similar to what is already found on Playstation 3 (PS3), PlayStation Portable
    and a recently introduced Sony A/V receiver, made its debut in conjunction with the Internet video demo.

    Glasgow also reported that Sony Electronics enjoyed strong holiday sales in the US, which have put the company on track for a year of double-digit growth.

    PlayStation: Sony claims to have shipped one million units of PS3, equipped with high-definition, Blu-ray disc drives, in the US by the end of December.

    More High Definition: Acknowledging its position in what the company calls ‘Full HD’ across practically every product category in both consumer and professional
    arenas Sony Electronics’ home products division senior VP Randy Waynick highlighted a continuum of HD technology from the lens
    to the living room.

    Waynick previewed a prototype 55-inch SXRD Grand Wega rear projection micro-display television with a new laser light engine
    technology that enhances color uniformity and brightness, while maintaining a slim profile.

    He also recounted the success of Sony’s Bravia flat-panel LCD line, which comprises 16 models ranging in size from 23- to 52-inch screens,
    before announcing the newest member of the family, a 70-inch 1080p HD television.

    The model features a new backlighting system and contrast ratio enhancements, as well as three HDMI inputs for full 1080p connectivity to
    the latest Blu-ray Disc players. It is also distinguished by its high refresh rate and x.v.Colour technology, which is Sony’s name for xvYCC, a new international standard in colour technology for personal video applications.

  • Sony Pictures Entertainment acquires Grouper for $ 65 million

    Sony Pictures Entertainment acquires Grouper for $ 65 million

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) has acquired Grouper, the fast-growing user-generated video site on the internet. The announcement was made by SPE chairman and CEO Michael Lynton.

    Grouper.com, which is the second largest independent video community, enables its members to watch, share and create video on the Web. Under the terms of the $65 million deal, the Sausalito-based company will retain its current management, working closely with a team at Sony Pictures.

    “Consumers are spending more and more time on sites like Grouper, and as one of the world’s largest creators of entertainment, we want to be where the audiences are. This acquisition demonstrates the breadth of involvement of Sony Corporation in the field of digital online entertainment. Many people in the Grouper community use Sony cameras to create videos and Sony VAIO computers and mobile devices to store and view them. It makes sense to complete the circle by having Grouper be a part of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which itself creates so much content for people around the world,” said Lynton.

    “When you pair Grouper’s innovative video sharing platform on the web and the desktop with Sony’s connected devices and copyrighted media you create a dynamic and exciting environment for consumers. We have an opportunity, as part of the Sony family, to bring together user-generated and copyrighted content across platforms and devices for the first time,” said Grouper CEO and co-founder Josh Felser.

    Grouper’s primary mission is to give its users the flexibility to take their videos with them across site and platform. Grouper users can browse videos and easily post them to a wide variety of third-party Web sites, such as their personal pages on MySpace, Blogger and Friendster. Grouper’s portability is anchored by its robust peer-to-peer video sharing network, which facilitates downloads of high quality uncut original video shared by its members. Its users can download from Grouper.com to connected mobile devices like the PSP and iPod. Grouper also provides members with easy-to-use video editing tools so that videos can be quickly uploaded from cameras, camcorders and webcams.

    Lynton said he is impressed by the experience of Grouper’s management team. “Grouper is not only one of the leaders in a new wave of content development, it is also a major innovator in empowering users to participate in a dynamic on-line community,” he said.

    Lynton said the acquisition of Grouper is a strategic initiative in the field of digital entertainment and consistent with Sony Pictures’ vision of making entertainment accessible to consumers whenever, wherever and however they want. No immediate changes are planned for the site. Over time, Lynton said there is potential for development of ad-supported and premium content businesses. “Grouper gives us a strong platform for growth,” Lynton said.

    In addition, he noted that there is value in connecting an enormous amount of imaginative content with a studio that is always interested in finding new ideas and talent for the movies, television shows and games it creates for audiences around the world. “A site like Grouper allows people to showcase their creativity to a vast audience. It’s like a virtual, global audition, and a great source of entertainment,” he added.

  • Universal Music sues content sharing sites Grouper, Bolt

    Universal Music sues content sharing sites Grouper, Bolt

    MUMBAI: The world’s largest recording company, Universal Music Group is charging the operators of two video-sharing Web sites for illegal downloading.

    The company has filed lawsuits against Grouper Networks which operates Grouper.com, and Bolt which runs Bolt.com.

    Grouper.com was recently acquired by Sony Pictures Entertainment for $65 million. Media reports indicate that the suit charges that both grouper and Bolt.com had built traffic by encouraging users to share music videos from its artists without their permission. In one incident, it claimed a video for the Mariah Carey song “Shake it Off” was viewed more than 50,000 times on Grouper without the company’s permission.

    Earlier Universal had threatened to sue YouTube. However later on the two parties signed a deal to distribute music videos. YouTube agreed to pay a small licensing fee for the material and to share associated advertising revenues. Universal says that prior to filing the suit had looked to reach licensing deals with both Grouper and Bolt.

  • Sony Pictures Entertainment promoted Pascal as co-chairman

    Sony Pictures Entertainment promoted Pascal as co-chairman

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Entertainment has promoted Amy Pascal to cochairman and has extended her deal with the studio to 2011. This announcement was made by chairman and CEO Michael Lynton.

    In addition to her new title, Pascal will continue to serve as chairman of the studio’s Motion Picture Group. Both Pascal and Lynton will continue to report to Sony Corporation chairman and CEO Howard Stringer.

    The move recognizes Pascal’s vast contributions to the company and was initiated by Lynton, who wanted to formalize the strong relationship he and Pascal have forged as partners, managing the operations of Sony Pictures, according to an official release.

    “This richly deserved promotion reflects the reality of our partnership here at Sony Pictures,” Lynton said. “Ever since Howard brought us together, Amy and I have been partners in running the studio, and I really wanted our titles to reflect our teamwork.”

    Sony is the only studio to exceed the $6 billion dollar mark in domestic box office sales between 2002 and 2006. To date this year, Sony has released eight films, including The Da Vinci Code, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and Click.

    Upcoming films from Sony Pictures include the launch of Sony Pictures Animation and their debut title Open Season, Pursuit of Happyness, starring Will Smith, Casino Royale, the 21st James Bond adventure, The Grudge 2, and Nancy Meyers’ The Holiday, starring Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, Jude Law and Kate Winslet, among many others.

  • HBO proudly presents the second season of the award winning series ‘Huff’

    HBO proudly presents the second season of the award winning series ‘Huff’

    NMumbai, August 16, 2006: HBO, the world’s leading movie channel, returns with the most critically acclaimed Emmy® Award winning and Golden Globe® Award nominated series Huff Season 2 premiering exclusively for the first time on Indian TV starting 24th August at 11:15 pm and thereafter every Thursday right after the Prime-Time Movie with two back-to-back brand new episodes.

    The first season of `HUFF’, premiered on HBO last year, dexterously chronicled the comedy and the pathos of a psychiatrist, Dr. Craig ‘Huff’ Huffstodt, entangled in a web of dilemma and dysfunction in his personal life. This year, HBO celebrates the comeback of the series with Heff Season 2, starring Hank Azaria (3-time Emmy® Award Winner for Actor, as also an Emmy® Award 2005 Lead Actor nominee), Oliver Platt (of ‘Kinsey’ and ‘Ice Harvest’ fame) and Blythe Danner (of ‘Meet the Parents’ and ‘Meet the Fockers’ fame). While this season showcases the gripping storylines that are distinctly characteristic of the series, it also welcomes Emmy® Award winner Sharon Stone and Academy Award® winner Anjelica Huston as guest stars in multi-episode arcs.

    Celebrating the premiere of HUFF Season 2, Shruti Bajpai, Country Manager, HBO South Asia, said, “We are proud to be associated with an award winning series like Huff. This special presentation of Huff Season 2 is part of our constant endeavor to bring the best of English programming to our patrons.”

    Returning for the second season, HUFF continues examining the professional and personal life of a psychiatrist, Dr. Craig `Huff’ Huffstodt (Hank Azaria), who finds he’s drifting perilously close to the border between sanity and insanity. According to HUFF creator Bob Lowry, “HUFF is about the unpredictability of human nature. It is an episodic drama about people and their interactions with each other – not so much about what they do as much as how they react to what’s happening around them. We’re not a formulaic show that you typically see on television”

    HUFF Sesaon 2, spanning 13 episodes, finds the Huffstodt family ties slowly coming undone. While Dr. Craig is still clad in the guilt of the suicide of a 15-year-old gay patient in his office, he is also deeply disturbed by the paranoid ramblings of his schizophrenic younger brother Teddy (Andy Comeau). Huff’s once close friend, Russell Tupper (Oliver Platt) continues to be an adorable alcoholic misogynist drug addict. And HUFF finds an attractive new client Dauri Rathbun (Sharon Stone), who is in desperate need of his legal advice.

    HBO brings the best of Hollywood by premiering the top blockbuster movies on television first in South Asia through exclusive licensing deals with four major Hollywood studios – Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment (Columbia/ TriStar), Universal and Warner Bros.

    Prime time viewing on HBO includes HBO Blockbuster Of The Month, a special television event that premieres a mega blockbuster movie every month, HBO Saturday Nights, which premieres a new box office hit each week throughout the year; HBO Sunday Super Hits, which showcases the blockbuster hits, star-studded hits, favourite genre hits, Asian hits, highly acclaimed hits and so much more. In addition, HBO features at least 3- 4 new movie showcases every month to offer viewers an interesting mix of Hollywood movies based on exciting themes.

  • Jason Wells is SPTI senior VP, mobile entertainment

    Jason Wells is SPTI senior VP, mobile entertainment

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) has announced that Jason Wells has been appointed senior VP, mobile entertainment. Wells will relocate from Los Angeles to SPTI’s European headquarters in London and will lead the newly formed mobile entertainment group.

    He will report to both SPTI president Michael Grindon and SPTI Europe president, MD John McMahon.

    Grindon says, “Many new distribution venues are now available for Sony’s feature films and television content. Regarding the mobile marketplace, Jason Wells has a great deal of experience and expertise in the mobile entertainment market and we are very fortunate that he has agreed to manage our growing business in this sector.”

    McMahon says, “SPTI has established itself as a leader in the international television distribution, production and networks business over the past 10 years. The appointment of Jason Wells to head up our newly formed mobile entertainment group is indicative of our belief that the mobile business is poised for substantial growth in the coming years. He brings a wealth of experience in this sector and I look forward to working with him here in London.”

    In his new position, Wells, will lead an international group within SPTI dedicated to extending Sony Pictures Entertainment’s (SPE) theatrical and TV assets, as well as its range of custom-made mobile content, into mobile distribution outside the US. With products such as the Spider-Man II film, the Ratchet and Clank Going Mobile game adaptation from the popular Sony PlayStation franchise, and the Da Vinci Code mobile content, SPTI will be the international distribution and marketing arm for SPE’s portfolio of mobile content including mobile games, tones, images, video and text programs.

    As mobile TV adoption grows, SPTI’s mobile entertainment group will work alongside SPTI’s licensing, international networks and production business lines to roll out programming and new initiatives for mobile operators that draw upon the strengths of all of these businesses.

    Wells brings with him years of experience in business development, management consulting and business launch strategy. Most recently he was VP of business development for Handango, where he directed the content and distribution business units.