Tag: The Blacklist

  • FY-16: Games, Music dampen Mobile’s drop in Sony revenue; reports profit

    FY-16: Games, Music dampen Mobile’s drop in Sony revenue; reports profit

    BENGALURU:  Sony Corporation (Sony) reported 1.3 percent drop in sales for the year ended 31 March 2016 (FY-16, current year). Sony’s revenue for the current year was ¥8,105.7 billion, for the previous year it was ¥8,215.9 billion. Sony attributes the decrease to a decline of 20 percent in sales of its Mobile Communications (MC) segment which was offset by a 11.8 percent increase in sales of its Games and Network Services (G&NS) segment, and a 10.4 percent in sales from its Music segment. The increase in sales from Sony’s G&NS segment reflects an increase in sales of its PlayStation 4 (PS4).

    Sony’s reported net income attributable to stockholders at ¥147.8 billion for the current year as compared to a loss of ¥126 billion yen in the previous year.

    Of special significance from the India perspective was the increase in Media Networks sales which was primarily due to higher advertising revenues in India and the United Kingdom. The Media Networks is a category in Sony’s Pictures segment.

    Mobile Communications

    MC segment reported 20 percent drop in sales in FY-16 to ¥1,127.5 billion from ¥1,410.2 billion in the previous year. The segment reported a lower operating loss of ¥61.4 billion as compared to an operating loss ¥217.6 billion in the previous year. The company says that this was because of a strategic decision not to pursue scale in order to improve profitability.

    Game & Network Services

    G&NS segment reported an increase of 11.8 percent in sales to ¥1,551.9 billion in the current year as compared to ¥1,388 billion in the previous year. The above mentioned gains from PS4 were offset by a decline in PS3 hardware and software sales. Operating income in FY-16 increased 84.4 percent in the current year to ¥88.7 billion from ¥48.1 billion in the previous year. Sony attributes the increase to increase in PS4 software sales and PS4 hardware cost reductions as well as the absence of write down of ¥11.2 billion in the current year of PS Vita and PS TV components that was recorded in FY-15.

    Imaging Products & Solutions (IP&S)

    IP&S segment reported a 1.7 percent decline in sales in FY-16 to ¥712.2 billion as compared to ¥723.9 billion in the previous year. Sony says that sales of video cameras and digital cameras were lower due to the contraction of the market. This segment reported a 72.1 increase in operating profit in FY-16 at ¥72.1 billion from ¥41.8 billion in the previous year. The increase was due to improvement in product mix of digital cameras and price reductions.

    Home Entertainment & Sound (HE&S)

    HE&S segment reported a 6.4 percent decline in sales in FY-16 to ¥1,159 billion from ¥1,238.1 billion in FY-15. Sony says that this was due to a decline in unit sales of LCD televisions and a decline in home audio and video unit sales, reflecting a contraction of the market. Television sales declined 4.5 percent in FY-16 to ¥797.8 billion as compared to last year.

    The segment’s operating income increased to ¥50.6 billion in the current year from ¥24.1 in FY-15, primarily due to cost reductions and increase in product mix.

    Devices

    Devices segment revenue in FY-16 was flat (increased by 0.9 percent) to ¥735.8 billion from ¥927.1 billion in FY-15. The segment reported an operating loss of ¥28.6 billion in the current year as compared to an operating profit of ¥89 billon in FY-15.

    Pictures

    Pictures segment sales increased 6.8 percent to ¥938.1 billion in FY-16 from ¥878.7 billion in the previous year. Sony’s Pictures segment is primarily comprises of Motion Pictures, Televisions Productions and Media Networks categories. The impact of forex rates and lower sales in Motion Pictures was offset by higher sales in Televisions Productions and Media Networks. The increase in Media Networks was primarily due to higher advertising revenues in India and the United Kingdom. The increase in Television Productions sales was primarily due to higher subscription video-on-demand (VOD) revenues from Breaking Bad, The Blacklist and Better call Saul.

    Operating income for the segment declined 51.9 percent in the current year to ¥38.5 billion from ¥58.5 billion in FY-15.

    Music

    Sony’s Music segment comprises of Recorded Music, Music Publishing and Visual Media and Platform categories. The segment reported a 10.4 percent increase in sales to ¥617.6 billion in FY-16 from ¥559.2 billion in FY-15. Sony says that the increase was primarily due to the depreciation of the yen versus the US dollar. There was a significant increase in Visual Media and Platform sales reflecting the continued strong performance of a game application for mobile devices. In Recorded Music digital streaming revenues significantly increased, partially offset by a worldwide decline in physical and digital download sales. The current year includes the record breaking sales of Adele’s new album 25. Other best-selling titles include One Direction’s Made in the A.M., David Bowie’s Black Star and Meghan Trainor’s Title.

    The segment’s operating income increased 44.1 percent in FY-16 to ¥87.3 billion from ¥60.6 billion in the previous year.

    Besides the above, Sony has two other segments – Financial Services and All Other services. Numbers of these segments have not been mentioned in this report.

  • FY-16: Games, Music dampen Mobile’s drop in Sony revenue; reports profit

    FY-16: Games, Music dampen Mobile’s drop in Sony revenue; reports profit

    BENGALURU:  Sony Corporation (Sony) reported 1.3 percent drop in sales for the year ended 31 March 2016 (FY-16, current year). Sony’s revenue for the current year was ¥8,105.7 billion, for the previous year it was ¥8,215.9 billion. Sony attributes the decrease to a decline of 20 percent in sales of its Mobile Communications (MC) segment which was offset by a 11.8 percent increase in sales of its Games and Network Services (G&NS) segment, and a 10.4 percent in sales from its Music segment. The increase in sales from Sony’s G&NS segment reflects an increase in sales of its PlayStation 4 (PS4).

    Sony’s reported net income attributable to stockholders at ¥147.8 billion for the current year as compared to a loss of ¥126 billion yen in the previous year.

    Of special significance from the India perspective was the increase in Media Networks sales which was primarily due to higher advertising revenues in India and the United Kingdom. The Media Networks is a category in Sony’s Pictures segment.

    Mobile Communications

    MC segment reported 20 percent drop in sales in FY-16 to ¥1,127.5 billion from ¥1,410.2 billion in the previous year. The segment reported a lower operating loss of ¥61.4 billion as compared to an operating loss ¥217.6 billion in the previous year. The company says that this was because of a strategic decision not to pursue scale in order to improve profitability.

    Game & Network Services

    G&NS segment reported an increase of 11.8 percent in sales to ¥1,551.9 billion in the current year as compared to ¥1,388 billion in the previous year. The above mentioned gains from PS4 were offset by a decline in PS3 hardware and software sales. Operating income in FY-16 increased 84.4 percent in the current year to ¥88.7 billion from ¥48.1 billion in the previous year. Sony attributes the increase to increase in PS4 software sales and PS4 hardware cost reductions as well as the absence of write down of ¥11.2 billion in the current year of PS Vita and PS TV components that was recorded in FY-15.

    Imaging Products & Solutions (IP&S)

    IP&S segment reported a 1.7 percent decline in sales in FY-16 to ¥712.2 billion as compared to ¥723.9 billion in the previous year. Sony says that sales of video cameras and digital cameras were lower due to the contraction of the market. This segment reported a 72.1 increase in operating profit in FY-16 at ¥72.1 billion from ¥41.8 billion in the previous year. The increase was due to improvement in product mix of digital cameras and price reductions.

    Home Entertainment & Sound (HE&S)

    HE&S segment reported a 6.4 percent decline in sales in FY-16 to ¥1,159 billion from ¥1,238.1 billion in FY-15. Sony says that this was due to a decline in unit sales of LCD televisions and a decline in home audio and video unit sales, reflecting a contraction of the market. Television sales declined 4.5 percent in FY-16 to ¥797.8 billion as compared to last year.

    The segment’s operating income increased to ¥50.6 billion in the current year from ¥24.1 in FY-15, primarily due to cost reductions and increase in product mix.

    Devices

    Devices segment revenue in FY-16 was flat (increased by 0.9 percent) to ¥735.8 billion from ¥927.1 billion in FY-15. The segment reported an operating loss of ¥28.6 billion in the current year as compared to an operating profit of ¥89 billon in FY-15.

    Pictures

    Pictures segment sales increased 6.8 percent to ¥938.1 billion in FY-16 from ¥878.7 billion in the previous year. Sony’s Pictures segment is primarily comprises of Motion Pictures, Televisions Productions and Media Networks categories. The impact of forex rates and lower sales in Motion Pictures was offset by higher sales in Televisions Productions and Media Networks. The increase in Media Networks was primarily due to higher advertising revenues in India and the United Kingdom. The increase in Television Productions sales was primarily due to higher subscription video-on-demand (VOD) revenues from Breaking Bad, The Blacklist and Better call Saul.

    Operating income for the segment declined 51.9 percent in the current year to ¥38.5 billion from ¥58.5 billion in FY-15.

    Music

    Sony’s Music segment comprises of Recorded Music, Music Publishing and Visual Media and Platform categories. The segment reported a 10.4 percent increase in sales to ¥617.6 billion in FY-16 from ¥559.2 billion in FY-15. Sony says that the increase was primarily due to the depreciation of the yen versus the US dollar. There was a significant increase in Visual Media and Platform sales reflecting the continued strong performance of a game application for mobile devices. In Recorded Music digital streaming revenues significantly increased, partially offset by a worldwide decline in physical and digital download sales. The current year includes the record breaking sales of Adele’s new album 25. Other best-selling titles include One Direction’s Made in the A.M., David Bowie’s Black Star and Meghan Trainor’s Title.

    The segment’s operating income increased 44.1 percent in FY-16 to ¥87.3 billion from ¥60.6 billion in the previous year.

    Besides the above, Sony has two other segments – Financial Services and All Other services. Numbers of these segments have not been mentioned in this report.

  • Star World Premiere HD to launch 3 shows this July

    Star World Premiere HD to launch 3 shows this July

    MUMBAI: This July, Star World Premiere HD is all set to unveil an exciting set of international shows in India. Home to over 50 of the latest and biggest shows every year, the channel will be extending the offering with 3 highly anticipated shows this July – a groovy new series – Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll, an exciting medical comedy – Royal Pains, and Season 2 of the breakout thrilling series – The Strain.

     

    Starting 10thJuly, the country’s only premium HD channel will bring Royal Pains, a story about a young doctor who seems to have it all until he loses it thanks to his principles, and ironically, ends up becoming an on-call doctor for the rich and famous of the Hamptons!

     

    The latest entrant creating waves in the international television world – Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll – is set to premiere in India exclusively on Star World Premiere HD, starting 22nd July. The comedy centers on Johnny Rock, a middle-aged rock star who desperately wants to be rich and famous. Actor-writer-producer Denis Leary, of The Amazing Spiderman fame, plays the lead in this series, also starring John Corbett and Elaine Hendrix.

     

    Viewers will be treated to a nail-biting experience with the premiere of the latest season of last year’s breakout success, The Strain. Launching on 31st July, The Strain is a high-concept thriller focusing on Dr. Ephraim Goodweather and his team from the Center for Disease Control in New York City, who are investigating a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism.

     

    Airing over 900 hours of fresh content in the year, Star World Premiere HD will also be premiering the latest seasons of popular shows like The Blacklist, Homeland, Modern Family, How to Get Away with Murder, Castle and many others, soon. 

  • Paul Edwards tapped to helm National Geographic’s four-hour movie event

    Paul Edwards tapped to helm National Geographic’s four-hour movie event

    MUMBAI: Acclaimed television director Paul Edwards has been tapped to direct National Geographic Channel’s four-hour scripted movie event Saints & Strangers.

    The program, produced by Sony Pictures Television with Little Engine Productions, is scheduled to start shooting this summer in South Africa, with a premiere set for fall 2015. The film puts a new lens on the familiar historical account of the trials and tribulations faced by the first American settlers and the native Americans they encountered upon their arrival.

     
    “Paul’s resume reads like a ‘must-watch’ list of TV programs from the last two decades, and we’re excited to watch him bring this story to life in a creative and cohesive way,” said NGC president of original programming and production Tim Pastore.

    “We are thrilled that Paul will be at the helm of this extraordinary project to contribute his vast expertise and experience as a director and cinematographer,” said Sony Pictures Television executive vice president of movies and limited series Helen Verno.

     
    Edwards has been directing for television series for more than 15 years. He has directed episodes of the popular current hits Gotham, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Blacklist, Once Upon a Time, Sleepy Hollow and Bates Motel, along with such cult favorites as Fringe and Lost. He received a BAFTA TV award for his work onHeroes.

     
    Saints & Strangers is a story that goes beyond the familiar historical version of the founding of America, revealing the trials and tribulations of the first American settlers: 101 men, women and children who sailed on the Mayflower for a place no one had ever seen. Half of these “pilgrims” were religious separatists who had abandoned their prior lives for religious freedom and an opportunity to create a new social order built on their values. The other half, “adventurers,” were mostly single men seeking financial opportunity and a rapid acquisition of wealth in a new land or trying to escape their old identities or criminal pasts. Intertwined with these complex inner struggles is the relationship with the Native Americans and the conflicting allegiances among these groups, culminating in trials of assimilation, faith and compromise that to this day define our country.

    Saints & Strangers will be produced for National Geographic Channels US by Sony Pictures Television. For Little Engine Productions, executive producers are Grant Scharbo and Gina Matthews; Teri Weinberg is executive producer; Eric Overmyer is executive producer/writer; Seth Fisher is writer. Original script was written by Chip Johannessen, with revisions by Walon Green. For Sony Pictures Television, executive vice president of movies and limited series is Helen Verno. For National Geographic Channels, president of original programming and production is Tim Pastore; vice president of production is Matt Renner.

  • Mongol TV announces programme acquisitions

    Mongol TV announces programme acquisitions

    MUMBAI: Mongol TV CEO Nomin Chinbat has announced several acquisitions from the recent Asia TV Forum, mainly drama renewals and a new acquisition from the UK.

    From ITV, Mongol TV has acquired Mr. Selfridge. This apart the channel has also acquired Downton Abbey from distributor NBC. The Mongolian broadcaster also renewed popular American primetime dramas: from CBS, The Good Wife, Hawaii Five-O, NBC’s The Blacklist and ABC’s Scandal.   

    Well known for broadcasting live events, Mongol TV will air the 87th Academy Awards live on 22 February 2015, which it acquired from Disney. This is the second year the broadcaster will air the show live.

    “Mongol TV has been consistently top in ratings in Mongolia by providing our audiences with the best quality programming from around the world. We are fortunate that CBS, ITV, NBC, Fox , Disney and Sony provide us with their best shows for our territory and appreciate our ongoing partnerships with them,” said Chinbat.