ITV

Tag: SPN

  • Anooj Kapoor bids adieu to Sony Pictures Network India

    Anooj Kapoor bids adieu to Sony Pictures Network India

    MUMBAI: After championing the growth of channel Sab within the fabric of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), Sab TV business head Anooj Kapoor has decided to move on to pursue an independent venture. He will serve his last day tomorrow.

    SPNI CEO NP Singh said, “Anooj has played a key role in the curation of SAB as a family humour channel. His contribution has been instrumental in creating a strong viewer base for SAB. As he moves on to embrace a new future, I wish him the best in all his endeavours.”

    Kapoor added, “My best memories have been shaped at SPN. As I move on to pursue other dreams. I thank my team at SAB for being one of the best teams anyone can get to work with.”

  • Anooj Kapoor bids adieu to Sony Pictures Network India

    Anooj Kapoor bids adieu to Sony Pictures Network India

    MUMBAI: After championing the growth of channel Sab within the fabric of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), Sab TV business head Anooj Kapoor has decided to move on to pursue an independent venture. He will serve his last day tomorrow.

    SPNI CEO NP Singh said, “Anooj has played a key role in the curation of SAB as a family humour channel. His contribution has been instrumental in creating a strong viewer base for SAB. As he moves on to embrace a new future, I wish him the best in all his endeavours.”

    Kapoor added, “My best memories have been shaped at SPN. As I move on to pursue other dreams. I thank my team at SAB for being one of the best teams anyone can get to work with.”

  • Sony targets 9m HD subs & diaspora with youth-focused Rox in Dolby quality

    Sony targets 9m HD subs & diaspora with youth-focused Rox in Dolby quality

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Network India (SPN) has launched its second channel in music genre. The group has strengthened its position in the Hindi music space bringing in Sony Rox HD, a youth-focused contemporary Hindi music high-definition channel.

    Sony Rox HD launched across key direct-to-home (DTH) and digital cable platforms such as Tata Sky, Fastway, In Cable and UCN, among other. It will showcase latest Hindi film music in high-definition visual format of 1080i resolution that is enhanced by Dolby Audio.

    True to its positioning of being a youth-focused music channel, Sony ROX HD revealed the channel look and offerings at a music-styled event that included a special performance by the first two ROX original artistes in Mumbai. The event was witnessed by select media as well as the millions of followers of the SPN network channels simulcast on Facebook Live.

    Served through a day-parted playout with unique programming initiatives, the latest channel on the block promises to be the most exciting. Its tagline: ‘Music Melody Madhoshi’ captures the approach of taking the core ingredient of the genre i.e. ‘Music’, curating and treating it through the perspective of beautiful music i.e.‘Melody’ to transcend the music experience on Sony Rox HD to a high of ‘Madhoshi’.

    Speaking at the launch, SPN CEO NP Singh said, “In the last few years, as a network, we have been growing aggressively. We have been launching more channels and expanding our portfolio in all the genres. When we launched Sony Mix, that was the first time we were getting into Bolllywood music. Six months post the launch, Mix has become the number one channel in the Hindi music space. Building on this gratifying experience, we decided to launch Hindi music super premium channel which is youth focused and which will offer you good quality video i.e 1080i with Dolby Audio. I am confident that Sony Rox HD too will be the leader in the Hindi music space.”

    SPN Hindi movies and music sluster senior EVP and business head Neeraj Vyas said, “A youth-focused contemporary Hindi music channel Sony Rox HD’s music content and programming initiatives will make it the leading hangout destination on television for 15-21-year olds. We are a ‘True-Blue HD Hindi Music Channel’ ensuring our viewers enjoy music that looks good, sounds great and feels awesome.” Speaking to indiantelevision.com, Vyas said that Sony Rox would be primarily targeting the nine million HD homes in India and the sub-continental diaspora across the globe. With Dolby collaboration, he said, Sony Rox aimed at enhancing the sound quality for the music aficianados.

    To a question on the DTH traffic moving on to OTT/VOD platforms, Vyas quipped: “It’s going to take time (in India),” adding that, in the west, in spite of good penetration of Internet and that too at a high speed, television still was a growing phenomenon.

    One of the channel specials: ‘Rox Original artiste of the Month’ sets Rox HD as the first ongoing platform for upcoming Indie artistes on the national television. At the center of it all is a comprehensive music content acquisition strategy ensuring tie-ups with all the leading labels in contemporary music such as T-series, Zee Music, Sony Music, YRF, Eros Music, UTV-Disney and Tips, etc.

    Dolby Laboratories emerging markets senior director Pankaj Kedia said, “Great sound is essential for a complete cinematic entertainment experience and Dolby is excited to work with Sony Rox HD to unveil a dynamic audio experience for consumers. Together with Sony Rox HD, we aim to transform the way music is consumed in the country.”

    The channel will be promoted extensively across all Sony Pictures Networks’ HD channels, carrier platforms, coupled with print, a robust digital and social media presence to engage with audiences at different touch points.

  • Sony targets 9m HD subs & diaspora with youth-focused Rox in Dolby quality

    Sony targets 9m HD subs & diaspora with youth-focused Rox in Dolby quality

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Network India (SPN) has launched its second channel in music genre. The group has strengthened its position in the Hindi music space bringing in Sony Rox HD, a youth-focused contemporary Hindi music high-definition channel.

    Sony Rox HD launched across key direct-to-home (DTH) and digital cable platforms such as Tata Sky, Fastway, In Cable and UCN, among other. It will showcase latest Hindi film music in high-definition visual format of 1080i resolution that is enhanced by Dolby Audio.

    True to its positioning of being a youth-focused music channel, Sony ROX HD revealed the channel look and offerings at a music-styled event that included a special performance by the first two ROX original artistes in Mumbai. The event was witnessed by select media as well as the millions of followers of the SPN network channels simulcast on Facebook Live.

    Served through a day-parted playout with unique programming initiatives, the latest channel on the block promises to be the most exciting. Its tagline: ‘Music Melody Madhoshi’ captures the approach of taking the core ingredient of the genre i.e. ‘Music’, curating and treating it through the perspective of beautiful music i.e.‘Melody’ to transcend the music experience on Sony Rox HD to a high of ‘Madhoshi’.

    Speaking at the launch, SPN CEO NP Singh said, “In the last few years, as a network, we have been growing aggressively. We have been launching more channels and expanding our portfolio in all the genres. When we launched Sony Mix, that was the first time we were getting into Bolllywood music. Six months post the launch, Mix has become the number one channel in the Hindi music space. Building on this gratifying experience, we decided to launch Hindi music super premium channel which is youth focused and which will offer you good quality video i.e 1080i with Dolby Audio. I am confident that Sony Rox HD too will be the leader in the Hindi music space.”

    SPN Hindi movies and music sluster senior EVP and business head Neeraj Vyas said, “A youth-focused contemporary Hindi music channel Sony Rox HD’s music content and programming initiatives will make it the leading hangout destination on television for 15-21-year olds. We are a ‘True-Blue HD Hindi Music Channel’ ensuring our viewers enjoy music that looks good, sounds great and feels awesome.” Speaking to indiantelevision.com, Vyas said that Sony Rox would be primarily targeting the nine million HD homes in India and the sub-continental diaspora across the globe. With Dolby collaboration, he said, Sony Rox aimed at enhancing the sound quality for the music aficianados.

    To a question on the DTH traffic moving on to OTT/VOD platforms, Vyas quipped: “It’s going to take time (in India),” adding that, in the west, in spite of good penetration of Internet and that too at a high speed, television still was a growing phenomenon.

    One of the channel specials: ‘Rox Original artiste of the Month’ sets Rox HD as the first ongoing platform for upcoming Indie artistes on the national television. At the center of it all is a comprehensive music content acquisition strategy ensuring tie-ups with all the leading labels in contemporary music such as T-series, Zee Music, Sony Music, YRF, Eros Music, UTV-Disney and Tips, etc.

    Dolby Laboratories emerging markets senior director Pankaj Kedia said, “Great sound is essential for a complete cinematic entertainment experience and Dolby is excited to work with Sony Rox HD to unveil a dynamic audio experience for consumers. Together with Sony Rox HD, we aim to transform the way music is consumed in the country.”

    The channel will be promoted extensively across all Sony Pictures Networks’ HD channels, carrier platforms, coupled with print, a robust digital and social media presence to engage with audiences at different touch points.

  • ‘Vibrant’ Sony Entertainment refreshes with new shows; ESPN to localise global shows

    ‘Vibrant’ Sony Entertainment refreshes with new shows; ESPN to localise global shows

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures (SPN)’s general entertainment channel Sony Entertainment (SET), celebrating 21st anniversary, has carved a new brand identity and is undertaking a fresh look at programming to bolster its viewership base and build continuous viewing.

    Now taking on new colours of purple, gold and orange, the new on-air display of SET is a plan to build a striking visual appeal for the Indian audience. The channel had a few years ago modified its packaging to convey content innovation and creative vision.Since 2015, however, SET has been trying hard to connect with viewers as it kept slipping on BARC reviews owing to the poor performance of its shows. SET was then highly dependent on Crime Patrol and CID, the Financial Express reported.

    Sony Entertainment Television recently peaked to number three in the Hindi GEC urban ratings chart on BARC India with Mahabali Hanuman, The Kapil Sharma Show, Super Dancer and Kuch Rang Pyar ke Aise Bhi doing quite well.

    The positioning SET plans to adopt is ‘When a relationship turns into partnership, life looks up and leaps forward’, and this is what it will reflect through its programming going ahead.

    Its primary focus area will be to bolster the weekday line-u. The new strategy is to expand the programming hours from the existing 8-11pm to 7pm-12 midnight by bringing in new shows such as Moh Moh ke Dhaage and Peshwa Bajirao, among other.

    In a bid to offer localised and differentiated content, ESPN, which operates in India as Sony ESPN, meantime is planning to customise its international shows such as SportsCenter’ and ‘Pardon the Interruption’ for the Indian market. ESPN at present offers the international version of ‘Pardon the Interruption’, a sports show compered by commentators Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser on Sony ESPN.

    ESPN is also aiming to bring X Games to India, an annual sports event which focuses on action sports such as snowboarding and skateboarding. The US-based ESPN re-entered India in January 2016 and jointly launched new sports channels, a multi-sports website and a mobile app in partnership with Sony Pictures Networks.

    The Indian sports sector is undergoing a sea change with a hike in viewership, sponsorship and participation in sports other than cricket as per a a report titled ‘The Business of Sports’, from consulting firm KPMG and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Sports sponsorship market in 2015 grew approximately 12% from a year ago to reach Rs 5,190 crore, the report stated.

  • ‘Vibrant’ Sony Entertainment refreshes with new shows; ESPN to localise global shows

    ‘Vibrant’ Sony Entertainment refreshes with new shows; ESPN to localise global shows

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures (SPN)’s general entertainment channel Sony Entertainment (SET), celebrating 21st anniversary, has carved a new brand identity and is undertaking a fresh look at programming to bolster its viewership base and build continuous viewing.

    Now taking on new colours of purple, gold and orange, the new on-air display of SET is a plan to build a striking visual appeal for the Indian audience. The channel had a few years ago modified its packaging to convey content innovation and creative vision.Since 2015, however, SET has been trying hard to connect with viewers as it kept slipping on BARC reviews owing to the poor performance of its shows. SET was then highly dependent on Crime Patrol and CID, the Financial Express reported.

    Sony Entertainment Television recently peaked to number three in the Hindi GEC urban ratings chart on BARC India with Mahabali Hanuman, The Kapil Sharma Show, Super Dancer and Kuch Rang Pyar ke Aise Bhi doing quite well.

    The positioning SET plans to adopt is ‘When a relationship turns into partnership, life looks up and leaps forward’, and this is what it will reflect through its programming going ahead.

    Its primary focus area will be to bolster the weekday line-u. The new strategy is to expand the programming hours from the existing 8-11pm to 7pm-12 midnight by bringing in new shows such as Moh Moh ke Dhaage and Peshwa Bajirao, among other.

    In a bid to offer localised and differentiated content, ESPN, which operates in India as Sony ESPN, meantime is planning to customise its international shows such as SportsCenter’ and ‘Pardon the Interruption’ for the Indian market. ESPN at present offers the international version of ‘Pardon the Interruption’, a sports show compered by commentators Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser on Sony ESPN.

    ESPN is also aiming to bring X Games to India, an annual sports event which focuses on action sports such as snowboarding and skateboarding. The US-based ESPN re-entered India in January 2016 and jointly launched new sports channels, a multi-sports website and a mobile app in partnership with Sony Pictures Networks.

    The Indian sports sector is undergoing a sea change with a hike in viewership, sponsorship and participation in sports other than cricket as per a a report titled ‘The Business of Sports’, from consulting firm KPMG and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Sports sponsorship market in 2015 grew approximately 12% from a year ago to reach Rs 5,190 crore, the report stated.

  • Sony brings ESPN Films’ iconic sports documentaries

    Sony brings ESPN Films’ iconic sports documentaries

    MUMBAI: ESPN Films, known for producing award-winning sports films and documentaries, has tied up with Sony Pictures Network (SPN) to bring some compelling sports stories to India. The initiative starts 27 November 2016 on Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD channels.

    The series will debut in India with `The Two Escobars’. Directed by the Zimbalists, it tells the tale of two men named Escobar — Andrés, the captain and poster child of Colombia’s national team, and Pablo, the infamous drug baron who pioneered the phenomenon known in the underworld as `narco-soccer’.

    Appearing for the first time in India, the critically-acclaimed, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning series of documentaries bring to viewers a thoughtful and innovative examination of the sports world, its characters, events and intersections with society at large where stories are told by filmmakers in partnership with ESPN.

    With topics ranging from Nelson Mandela’s embrace of the 1995 Rugby World Cup as a force for racial unity, to the rise and fall of Pablo and Andres Escobar during the “Narco-Soccer” era in Colombia, to the bravado and foolhardy courage of Muhammad Ali in his twilight years, fighting to hold on to greatness, the range and poignancy of stories are timeless and should appeal to Indian viewers who love great storytelling.

    Addressing the media here on Tuesday at a special screening of one such film, ESPN India and South Asia head and vice president Ramesh Kumar said, “Part of what has always distinguished ESPN is that we do not only cover the games, we cover the ‘game around the game’ and we do it as storytellers. These films go beyond sports and engage viewers with compelling, often unknown or previously unseen, narratives that capture the power, emotion and poignancy of sports in our lives.”

    Often credited with revitalizing and revolutionizing the art of sports documentary, ESPN Films projects are brought to life by a roster of gifted filmmakers collaborating with ESPN. Among those who have created films for the series are Jeff & Michael Zimbalist, Clifford Bestall, Albert Maysles, Barry Levinson, Bradley Kaplan, Brett Ratner, Spike Jonze, John Singleton, Brian Koppleman, Michael Rappaport, Daniel Gordon, Alex Gibney, Eric Drath, Ezra Edelman and many more.

    Commenting on the launch, SPN India Sports Cluster Business Head and EVP Prasana Krishnan said, “Some of the most inspiring stories in the world have come from sports. We are showcasing a collection of award-winning ESPN Films documentary series for the first time in India that is sure to appeal to both die-hard sports fans as well as people who don’t know much about sports. The ESPN films are a differentiated offering from Sony ESPN channels that comprise legendary human interest stories that will give our viewers an opportunity to relive some of the greatest moments in the history of sports.”

    ESPN Films was launched in March 2008 and has been an industry leader in documentary filmmaking since its inception, producing more than 100 documentaries that have showcased some of the most compelling stories in sports.

    Speaking to indiantelevision.com, ESPN India Television Initiatives Head Jasdeep Pannu said, “Times are changing in India and sports is becoming extremely relevant. Also, this is the kind of content that you will not find anywhere in the world. The content appeals to sports fans as well those passionate about films.”

    Pointing out that to promote and market these films campaigns are being run on Sony’s in-house TV channels, Pannu said. “We are also cross promoting the films on our regular channels on digital media like ESPN.com, cricinfo, etc.”

    Films like `The 16th Man’, `Muhammad and Lary’, `Maradona’, `The Real Rocky’, `Into the Wind’, `Little Master’ and `Unmatched’ are among the few productions that will be telecasted on Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD every Sunday noon.

  • Sony brings ESPN Films’ iconic sports documentaries

    Sony brings ESPN Films’ iconic sports documentaries

    MUMBAI: ESPN Films, known for producing award-winning sports films and documentaries, has tied up with Sony Pictures Network (SPN) to bring some compelling sports stories to India. The initiative starts 27 November 2016 on Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD channels.

    The series will debut in India with `The Two Escobars’. Directed by the Zimbalists, it tells the tale of two men named Escobar — Andrés, the captain and poster child of Colombia’s national team, and Pablo, the infamous drug baron who pioneered the phenomenon known in the underworld as `narco-soccer’.

    Appearing for the first time in India, the critically-acclaimed, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning series of documentaries bring to viewers a thoughtful and innovative examination of the sports world, its characters, events and intersections with society at large where stories are told by filmmakers in partnership with ESPN.

    With topics ranging from Nelson Mandela’s embrace of the 1995 Rugby World Cup as a force for racial unity, to the rise and fall of Pablo and Andres Escobar during the “Narco-Soccer” era in Colombia, to the bravado and foolhardy courage of Muhammad Ali in his twilight years, fighting to hold on to greatness, the range and poignancy of stories are timeless and should appeal to Indian viewers who love great storytelling.

    Addressing the media here on Tuesday at a special screening of one such film, ESPN India and South Asia head and vice president Ramesh Kumar said, “Part of what has always distinguished ESPN is that we do not only cover the games, we cover the ‘game around the game’ and we do it as storytellers. These films go beyond sports and engage viewers with compelling, often unknown or previously unseen, narratives that capture the power, emotion and poignancy of sports in our lives.”

    Often credited with revitalizing and revolutionizing the art of sports documentary, ESPN Films projects are brought to life by a roster of gifted filmmakers collaborating with ESPN. Among those who have created films for the series are Jeff & Michael Zimbalist, Clifford Bestall, Albert Maysles, Barry Levinson, Bradley Kaplan, Brett Ratner, Spike Jonze, John Singleton, Brian Koppleman, Michael Rappaport, Daniel Gordon, Alex Gibney, Eric Drath, Ezra Edelman and many more.

    Commenting on the launch, SPN India Sports Cluster Business Head and EVP Prasana Krishnan said, “Some of the most inspiring stories in the world have come from sports. We are showcasing a collection of award-winning ESPN Films documentary series for the first time in India that is sure to appeal to both die-hard sports fans as well as people who don’t know much about sports. The ESPN films are a differentiated offering from Sony ESPN channels that comprise legendary human interest stories that will give our viewers an opportunity to relive some of the greatest moments in the history of sports.”

    ESPN Films was launched in March 2008 and has been an industry leader in documentary filmmaking since its inception, producing more than 100 documentaries that have showcased some of the most compelling stories in sports.

    Speaking to indiantelevision.com, ESPN India Television Initiatives Head Jasdeep Pannu said, “Times are changing in India and sports is becoming extremely relevant. Also, this is the kind of content that you will not find anywhere in the world. The content appeals to sports fans as well those passionate about films.”

    Pointing out that to promote and market these films campaigns are being run on Sony’s in-house TV channels, Pannu said. “We are also cross promoting the films on our regular channels on digital media like ESPN.com, cricinfo, etc.”

    Films like `The 16th Man’, `Muhammad and Lary’, `Maradona’, `The Real Rocky’, `Into the Wind’, `Little Master’ and `Unmatched’ are among the few productions that will be telecasted on Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD every Sunday noon.

  • Sony Max celebrates Bollywood lovers in new campaign

    Sony Max celebrates Bollywood lovers in new campaign

    MUMBAI: Hindi movie channel Sony Max has rolled out a new campaign to celebrate its success of being the undisputed leader amongst movie channels in India. The campaign is based on the thought ‘Naaz Hai Humein Apni Deewangi Pe’ (I am proud of my passion or madness), which encapsulates the country’s obsession with Hindi Cinema and its influence on the everyday moments of life.

    The channel will be unveiling multiple short films showcasing how fans inspired by movies have imbibed the `deewanapan’ or passion.

    The TVCs are conceptualized by DDB Mudra and shot by Tubelight Films, and went on air on 12 November. To promote the campaign, the channel is engaging in a massive television plan across news, regional and music channels (apart from its own TV network) for two weeks. The marketing plan also consists of a digital leg.

    “The strategic reason to have a fresh campaign is to celebrate the uninterrupted leadership and success of the Sony Max channel over the last 26 weeks. The campaign is a reflection of the influence and impact that Sony Max has had on people’s lives with its movie offerings. The core thought ‘Naaz hai humein apni Deewangi pe’ not only showcases the madness that movies instills in every Indian but also takes the `deewanapan’ a notch higher,” said Sony Max Marketing SVP Vaishali Sharma.

    The three 45 seconder TVCs string together people from different walks of life and depicts how extremely passionate movie buffs look at every situation from a 70mm lens. The campaign also attempts to capture the rich pallet of emotions behind various facets of Hindi Cinema. The TVCs consist of seven distinct situations.

  • Sony Max celebrates Bollywood lovers in new campaign

    Sony Max celebrates Bollywood lovers in new campaign

    MUMBAI: Hindi movie channel Sony Max has rolled out a new campaign to celebrate its success of being the undisputed leader amongst movie channels in India. The campaign is based on the thought ‘Naaz Hai Humein Apni Deewangi Pe’ (I am proud of my passion or madness), which encapsulates the country’s obsession with Hindi Cinema and its influence on the everyday moments of life.

    The channel will be unveiling multiple short films showcasing how fans inspired by movies have imbibed the `deewanapan’ or passion.

    The TVCs are conceptualized by DDB Mudra and shot by Tubelight Films, and went on air on 12 November. To promote the campaign, the channel is engaging in a massive television plan across news, regional and music channels (apart from its own TV network) for two weeks. The marketing plan also consists of a digital leg.

    “The strategic reason to have a fresh campaign is to celebrate the uninterrupted leadership and success of the Sony Max channel over the last 26 weeks. The campaign is a reflection of the influence and impact that Sony Max has had on people’s lives with its movie offerings. The core thought ‘Naaz hai humein apni Deewangi pe’ not only showcases the madness that movies instills in every Indian but also takes the `deewanapan’ a notch higher,” said Sony Max Marketing SVP Vaishali Sharma.

    The three 45 seconder TVCs string together people from different walks of life and depicts how extremely passionate movie buffs look at every situation from a 70mm lens. The campaign also attempts to capture the rich pallet of emotions behind various facets of Hindi Cinema. The TVCs consist of seven distinct situations.