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Tag: Sony

  • Sony: Tushar Shah now heads English cluster, Saurabh Yagnik shifted to new role

    Sony: Tushar Shah now heads English cluster, Saurabh Yagnik shifted to new role

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN has announced the following changes in the leadership team portfolio.

    Saurabh Yagnik, will move into a newly created role of EVP – monetization strategy and consumer insights. In this role, Yagnik will lead the identification of organic and inorganic monetization opportunities in partnership with the revenue and channel heads, to increase SPN’s participation in the marketplace. He will also leverage consumer insights to identify and facilitate implementation of new business opportunities for the network. Yagnik moves into this new role from being SPN’s EVP and Business Head for the English cluster of channels, where he was heading AXN, Sony Pix, Sony Le Plex HD and Sony BBC Earth.

    Tushar Shah will take on the role of EVP – AXN, Sony PIX, Sony Le Plex HD, Sony BBC Earth and Sony Aath. Shah moves into this role from being SPN’s EVP & Business Head –Sony Aath.

    Both these roles will report into SPN CEO NP Singh.

    Yagnik has been with SPN for over four and a half years and Tushar has been with SPN for over eleven years. These moves are in line with SPN’s philosophy of providing exciting career opportunities to internal talent and the network’s focus on the future.

  • Sony pulls off ‘Pehredaar Piya Ki’, aims at developing viewer interest in upcoming shows

    Sony pulls off ‘Pehredaar Piya Ki’, aims at developing viewer interest in upcoming shows

    MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment, after facing flak for its show ‘Pehredaar Piya Ki’ and Broadcasting Council’s fiat to shift it, has pulled off the show altogether. The council had also earlier asked the channel to run it with a scroll, reading that it does not promote child marriage.

    After being shrouded in controversies and days after Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) directed it to shift the show in late night slot from prime time, Sony has finally taken the call to discontinue it.

    Launched on 17 July, the show attracted the audience’s ire over its content, which showed a nine-year old boy into a marriage with an 18- year-old woman. The show was slammed for being “regressive”, with many viewers accusing it for “promoting child marriage.”

    Two weeks ago, the BCCC directed the channel to move the show from 8.30 pm to the 10 pm slot but now, effective from 28 August, 2017, the channel has stopped telecasting the show.

    In an official statement, channel stated: “We are pulling off our programme, Pehredaar Piye Ki, from television. While we understand that the decision to end this serial will be disappointing to those whose creative energies are vested in it, namely, its crew and cast, we (as a channel) are convinced that we will be better served by focusing instead on developing viewer interest in our upcoming, new shows.”

  • Sony to simulcast Sachin film across 7 channels in 5 languages on I-Day

    MUMBAI: This Independence Day, Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) will simulcast the inspirational tale of India’s greatest ever sports icon, Sachin Tendulkar with the film ‘Sachin: A Billion Dreams’.

    In an endeavour to truly go beyond the ordinary, the film will be a multi-lingual telecast across seven channels of the network in five languages, so that viewers can connect with the film in their preferred language.

    Hitting airwaves on 15 August at 8:00 p.m. viewers can watch the film on Sony MAX and Sony MAX HD in Hindi, Tamil & Telugu, Sony MAX2 in Marathi, Sony PIX, Sony PIX HD, Sony SIX and Sony SIX HD in English.

    Reaching out to over 700 million viewers in India, SPN will bring the country together on Independence Day by striking an emotional chord with fans of SPN’s ambassador for sports Sachin Tendulkar.

    Directed by Emmy-nominated British filmmaker James Erskine and produced by Ravi Bhagchandka, this is a biographical film which captures Tendulkar’s cricket and personal life in detail, as well as reveals few aspects of his life which have never been heard of or seen before.

    The movie features real footage, including clips from his matches and interviews with colleagues and family and present day stars including Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The biopic also marks the acting debut of the master blaster.

    Tendulkar said: “The viewers have lived every moment of my 24 years on the field with me but no one knew what was going on in my head. They might know my scores and recall every ball but this movie will help them get inside my brain and know what I was feeling during the lows and highs. The movie will reveal my relationship with my family and also give the fans a glimpse into my personal life through my real-life family footages.”

  • eBay campaign busts myths about refurbished products

    MUMBAI: eBay India has launched its latest campaign #DontJudgeReboxed through a video release across its social media platforms. The campaign aims to educate consumers about refurbished products purchased on the platform and highlight these products to be as good as new. As part of the campaign, consumers can avail upto 70% off on electronic products.

    The refurbished sale that has gone live will allow consumers to shop amongst leading electronic brands such as Apple, Samsung, Sony, OnePlus until 4th August 2017.

    eBay India director – marketing Shivani Suri said: “On witnessing growing consumer interest and basis consumer feedback, we have always felt the need to communicate and address consumers concerns that are still surrounding ‘refurbished’ products. Through our latest digital campaign, we aim to address the misconceptions regarding refurbished products. We urge more consumers to buy refurbished goods without any reservations as they are as good as new.”

    Consumers can now buy 100% original, quality tested, fully functional products with zero defects and a valid warranty at unbelievable prices. They can get their hands on the products which they dreamt of but were not able to purchase because they were heavy on their pocket.

  • Sony ropes in Tendulkar as it rebrands sports portfolio, adds two HD channels

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Network is all set to rebrand its sports portfolio, including ESPN. SPNI’s bouquet of sports channels includes TEN 1, TEN 2, TEN 3 and Sony 6, which are set to see significant changes.

    SPNI has also roped in Sachin Tendulkar as its brand ambassador for sports. Sony has grouped its sports brands under the business vertical — Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN).

    With the addition of two HD channels, Sony TEN 2 HD and Sony TEN 3 HD, 11 channels dedicated to bringing the best domestic and international sporting action to viewers, Sony reinforces its position as one of the largest broadcasters of sports in the Indian sub-continent.

    Programming break-up of 11 channels comprising five SD and six HD channels:

    Sony 6 and Sony 6 HD —– Cricket

    Sony TEN 1 & Sony TEN 1 HD: Wrestling entertainment

    Sony TEN 2 & Sony TEN 2 HD: Football

    Sony TEN 3 & Sony TEN 3 HD: Sporting events in Hindi

    Sony ESPN & Sony ESPN HD — International sports

    Sony TEN Golf HD —— Non-stop golf action

    Also Read:

    ITW bags ad rights from Sony, India series sponsor & partners’ announcement shortly

    Sports channels ratings dive in week 26

    FIFA U-17 draw: Hosts India to take on U.S. in Delhi

    U-20 & U-17 FIFA ’19 bidding for host launched, Sony to telecast U-17 in seven countries

  • Hindi Movies genre grew by 1.36%, Sony Max tops with 93.9% OTS: Chrome

    MUMBAI: Hindi Movies (Hindi-speaking market) HSM (Exclusive) was the most benefitted genre with 1.36 per cent with Sony Max topping the chart with 93.9 per cent opportunity to see (OTS) in week 27, Chrome Data Analytics & Media reported.

    Next in the tally was the kids genre — all-India genre saw a growth of 0.64 per cent with Nickelodeon leading the genre with 83.6 per cent OTS on an all-India basis.

    This was followed by Hindi News-HSM Exclusive which came third with a growth of 0.64 per cent and India TV lead the chart with 99.5 per cent OTS.

    Last, but not the least, Business News was on the fourth position with 0.62 per cent in six metros with CNBC Awaaz leading the chart with 83.7 per cent OTS.

    Among the losers this week, the English News segment in six metros recorded a fall of 1.17 per cent. Loksabha TV was the most affected channel in the genre with 95.1 per cent.

    Ratings of the English GEC genre in six metros decreased by 1.12 per cent with Colors Infinity leading the genre with 47.2 per cent. In the Infotainment genre, all-India ratings dropped by 1.04 per cent with NGC leading the section with 91.3 per cent.

    Religious – HSM Exclusive and Youth genre grabbed the fourth and fifth spots, respectively, with 0.68 per cent and 0.36 per cent. Sanskar and MTV led the genre with 96.2 per cent and 91.1 per cent OTS, respectively.

  • ITW bags ad rights from Sony, India series sponsor & partners’ announcement shortly

    MUMBAI: ITW Consulting, an India-based sports management company, has acquired some exclusive rights from Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited — the sole media rights holder of the Sri Lanka Cricket Series 2017. The deal involves title rights, on-ground and in-stadia advertising rights for all the cricket matches played during the above two series.

    With these rights, ITW Consulting covered five ODIs and one test match under Sri Lanka v/s Zimbabwe series and also India’s tour Sri Lanka for three test matches, five ODIs and one T20 under Sri Lanka v/s India Series from 23 July till 6 September 2017, respectively.

    Virat Kohli-led Indian team is scheduled to reach Sri Lankan capital Colombo on 19 July. They are likely to play a warm-up match on 21 & 22 July. The first test will be played at Pallekele between 26 & 30 July. The action will then shift to Galle for the second test, which is scheduled to be played between 4 & 8 August. SSC, Colombo will host the third test from 12 August. The tour continues with an ODI series between 24 August & 3 September, where the two teams will play a five-match series, followed by a T20I on 6 September.

    Commenting on the deal, ITW Consulting director M S Muralidharan (a Global Sports Commerce affiliate) said, “We are one of the new generation companies and are delighted to partner with Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) for these two series. With nearly 15 matches scheduled over the series, we are sure that we will be able to build strong and strategic brand associations that will be fruitful for both, the brands and cricket fans.” “At ITW, we are bringing in innovative technologies in cricket and other sports to ensure fans are engaged throughout the match with a crowd facing interactive display system”, he added.

    Commenting on the deal, ITW Consulting co-founder Bhairav Shanth said, “This series has received an overwhelming response from the market. Brands see this as an excellent alternate medium with rationale pricing, delivering perfect ROI. Categories such as telecom network, automobiles, sports gear along with handset have locked in their participation. Most of our key slots have been closed a month before the start of the series. We will shortly be making the title sponsor announcement for the India series along with the central on-ground partners of the series.”

    Commenting on the association, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) president, distribution and sports business Rajesh Kaul said, “Viewers are looking forward to the series as this is the Indian cricket team’s first full tour (Tests, ODIs and a T20) of Sri Lanka in three years. In addition to this, advertisers are also aware of the visibility that is ensured through the duration of the tournament, giving brands a wider reach.”

    The 45-day long cricket extravaganza will reach a wide Indian, Sri Lankan and global audience cheering for the powerhouses and superstars of the likes of Angelo Mathews, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga as well as their Indian counterparts like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Ravi Ashwin amongst others. The series will be telecast by the official live broadcasting partner, Sony Pictures Networks India on Sony SIX and TEN 3 channels and will be livestreamed on SonyLIV. Scheduled to reach prime time audiences in India and Sri Lanka, the match preview, pitch report and toss will commence 30 minutes prior, followed by the match at 10:00 AM IST for Tests, 2:30 PM IST for ODI’s and 7:00 PM IST for T20.

  • Sony can air ‘Danish Girl’ on TV as Tribunal reverses CBFC order

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures is now free to telecast ‘The Danish Girl’ on television.

    The Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) has ordered the Censor Board to grant certification to the British-American film for viewing on TV channels, by reversing the Board’s directive against airing the film on television.

    The FCAT observed the film shows the “travails and sufferings of a husband who struggles to find his own identity, believing that he should be a woman.” “His wife empathises with him, remaining by his bed side all through his sex reassignment surgery in the 18th century,” it said.

    The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had approved the film for a theatrical release in January 2017 and granted it an A certificate. In March, however, the CBFC refused U/UA certification to the film necessary for a film to be telecast on TV channels, saying that the film should be viewed only by “mature adults”, Hindustan Times reported.

    Based on by David Ebershoff’s fictional novel, the 2015 biographical romantic drama film directed by Tom Hooper is loosely inspired by the lives of Danish painters Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. The film features Eddie Redmayne as Elbe, one of the first known recipients of the reassignment surgery. 

    Citing a Supreme Court decision that granted recognition of gender identity to the transgender community by acknowledging the existence of the ‘third gender’, the FCAT chaired by Justice Manmohan Sarin reversed the CBFC’s decision.

    Sony Pictures had, in their appeal, showed television shows revolving around similar subjects. Seeking U/UA certification, they had also offered 14 cuts in scenes and dialogues to make the film eligible for the small screen viewers.

    Sony cited the examples of films such as Milk, The Brokeback Mountain, Boys Don’t Cry and D Train, and stated that these movies had been approved for telecast on Indian television after grant of U/UAcertificate. The production house, similarly, referred to shows such as Shakti-Ek Ehsaas Ki and The Big F that were being telecast on different channels.

  • Sony & Impact to produce maiden wrestling show in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) and IMPACT Wrestling will, for the first time in professional wrestling history, produce the North American-based wrestling promotion show in the bustling city of Mumbai. Episodes of the highly engaging sport which are usually shot in the Northern Subcontinent of America and distributed across the globe will now shoot a segment amidst the welcoming Indian audience.

    The four-special action packed episodes with remarkable programming will be shot in a span of 2 days and telecast to an international audience. This would be the first opportunity for IMPACT Wrestling fans in India to engage with their favorite stars in India. The episodes will be shot in the famous entertainment hub of Film City on 30th and 31st May, 2017.

    For decades, wrestling has bound Indian audience close together. This will be another chance for fans to come together and witness some of the well-known international wrestling Superstars. The craze among viewers in the audience is bound to reach another level when the especially-built wrestling arena will welcome some of the biggest names in Impact Wrestling such as Mahabali Shera and Sonjay Dutt. Fans will also see Alberto El Patron, Bobby Lashley, James Storm, Ethan Carter III, Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, Low Ki, IMPACT Knockout Allie and many more.

    Sony Pictures Networks India president – sports and distribution Rajesh Kaul said: “The partnership of the sports cluster of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) and IMPACT Wresting to produce localized content in India is a landmark step from the Indian perspective as the episodes will be distributed internationally. It has always been our endeavor not only to showcase some of the best international content but also bring prime international properties like IMPACT Wrestling closer to the Indian fans.

    Ed Nordholm, President, IMPACT Wrestling, Nashville, TN: “We are excited to make history as we embark on a tour of India, marking the first time an international professional wrestling organization has staged television tapings in this massive market. The reception in India has been overwhelmingly positive and we’re thrilled with the tremendous local support from Sony Pictures Networks India. Our hope is that this will be the first of many tours in India, a passionate market that has supported the IMPACT Wrestling brand for many years.”

    Jeff Jarrett, Chief Creative Officer, IMPACT Wrestling, Nashville, TN: “I’m thrilled to be going back to India to produce new episodes of our flagship show IMPACT Wrestling that will incorporate the Sony SIX branding. These historic episodes will lead into our blockbuster 15th anniversary Slammiversary event July 2 on pay-per-view, so our fanbase in India can expect to see all our biggest stars in action.

    SPN’s proposition is to ensure the visit of IMPACT Wrestling talent engage and entertain their fans in India and across the globe. To capture the attention, the broadcaster is encouraging the stars of IMPACT Wrestling to share their videos with fans while travelling to India. The stars of IMPACT Wrestling will also be experiencing local food and cultural activities. Select Indian fans will get a chance to mingle with some of their favorite wrestling Superstars. Other than the four IMPACT episodes from Mumbai, there will be specific India-centric storylines featured in each show.

    Fans can tune in to Impact Wrestling on Fridays at 9:00 pm only on Sony SIX and Sony SIX HD.

  • Emirates FA Cup: Sony launches ‘Heartbreaks Await’ campaign

    MUMBAI: The Sports Cluster of Sony Pictures Network India (SPN) launches its ‘Heartbreaks Await’ campaign ahead of the upcoming semi-finals and finals of the Emirates FA Cup, the oldest recognized football tournament in the world.  Currently in its 136th edition, the stakes are sky high with some of the biggest clubs in English football making it to the semi-finals and competing to win the prestigious title.

    The concept behind the ‘Heartbreaks Await” campaign is the impending heartbreak that fans will experience as their favorite clubs clash during the semi-finals of the Emirates FA Cup. The campaign attempts to capture the scale of the fandom and resonates with die-hard fans who react to the wins or losses of their favorite teams.

    Footy Fans will see all the big boys in action with league leaders Chelsea facing high flying Tottenham Hotspurs while Champions League hopefuls Arsenal and Manchester City face-off in the other tie. In the knockout stages of the tournament, both games will play out until a winner is decided. With so much at stake for fans of all four teams, by the end of it, one way or another, heartbreaks are inevitable.

    Sony Pictures Network president, distribution and sports business, Rajesh Kaul, said, “Our campaign ‘Heartbreaks Await’ for the Emirates FA Cup semi-finals and finals resonates with football fans across the world as extreme fan reactions are expected with the top four teams competing to claim the trophy. Our aim was to create an innovative campaign that would reach out and strike a chord with all the football fans in India. The campaign is one of our many strategies to establish the Sports Cluster of Sony Pictures Networks India as the premier destination for an unparalleled football viewing experience and the one-stop destination for International football.”

    The campaign comprises two 30 second films that showcase the Heartbreak that fans are experiencing in different situations.

    Hospital: A young doctor is desperately trying to revive a patient by performing CPR on him and hears the FA Cup commentary in the background. The Doctor hears that his team has missed the penalty and the tables are turned with the Doctor unconscious on the hospital bed and the patient on top of him, trying to revive him in the same manner.

    Winning & Losing: We see the winning and losing fan reactions. A bunch of friends, arm-in-arm, jump up and down in unison, celebrating to the beat of a techno song because their team is winning while right in the apartment next door, a young man bangs his head against the wall in frustration to the same beat because his team is losing.