ITV

Tag: Tom Hiddleston

  • The Night Manager returns with new secrets, new spies and old scars

    The Night Manager returns with new secrets, new spies and old scars

    MUMBAI: The night is getting darker, and Jonathan Pine is back to face the ghosts he thought he’d buried. Prime Video has announced that the highly anticipated Season Two of The Night Manager will premiere on Sunday, 11 January 2026, with the first three episodes dropping together, followed by a weekly rollout until 1 February 2026. The six-part series will stream exclusively on Prime Video worldwide (excluding the UK) and on BBC and BBC iPlayer in the UK.

    Eight years after its explosive Season One finale, the Emmy, Golden Globe and BAFTA-winning spy drama returns more dangerous, more deceptive, and just as addictive. Tom Hiddleston reprises his Golden Globe-winning role as the enigmatic former spy Jonathan Pine, who now lives under the alias Alex Goodwin. But when the past comes knocking in the form of a rogue mercenary and a global conspiracy, Pine is pulled back into the shadowy world he once escaped.

    This time, he’s not alone. Olivia Colman returns as the steadfast intelligence officer Angela Burr, while Diego Calva (Babylon, Narcos: Mexico) and Camila Morrone (Daisy Jones & The Six) join the cast as new players in Pine’s perilous new mission. The cast also includes Indira Varma, Paul Chahidi, and Hayley Squires, alongside returning favourites Alistair Petrie, Douglas Hodge, Michael Nardone, and Noah Jupe.

    Filmed across the UK, Spain, Colombia, and France, the new season raises the stakes with a global plot that spans continents and conspiracies. Pine, now a low-level MI6 officer running a quiet surveillance unit, is thrust into action after a fateful encounter with Colombian businessman Teddy Dos Santos (Calva) unravels a deadly arms network. Partnering with businesswoman Roxana Bolaños (Morrone), Pine must navigate treacherous alliances and buried betrayals to expose a plot designed to destabilise an entire nation.

    Created and executive produced by David Farr, and directed by BAFTA-winner Georgi Banks-Davies (I Hate Suzie, Paper Girls), the second season is once again based on the characters from John le Carré’s novel. It’s produced by The Ink Factory, in association with Character 7, Demarest Films, 127 Wall, and Spanish co-producer Nostromo Pictures.

    Executive producers include Stephen Garrett, Simon and Stephen Cornwell, Michele Wolkoff, Adrián Guerra, Hugh Laurie, and Tom Hiddleston himself. With such a powerhouse creative team, The Night Manager promises another elegant blend of espionage, emotion, and edge-of-your-seat tension.

    Season One, which premiered in 2016, was lauded for its razor-sharp writing, lush cinematography, and powerhouse performances bagging 11 BAFTA nominations, three Golden Globes, and critical acclaim worldwide. Season Two now picks up the story eight years later, delving deeper into Pine’s fractured psyche and the blurred lines between loyalty, deception, and survival.

    With betrayal lurking in every shadow and old enemies reborn, The Night Manager returns not just as a spy thriller, but as a study in reinvention of both its hero and the genre itself. After all, in the world of espionage, the night never truly ends; it only gets darker.

  • Sony PIX is set to bowl over fans this april with an amazing movie line-up

    Sony PIX is set to bowl over fans this april with an amazing movie line-up

    MUMBAI: Sony PIX fans are in for a power packed April. From the newest season of PIX Premiere League and the legendary Harry Potter franchise on World Book Day to the Indian Television Premiere of Early Man, Sony PIX is set to hit it out of the park.

    Giving the cricket fans a continued adrenaline rush, Sony PIX, known for the biggest Hollywood blockbusters and premieres, will air all-time hit movies every night at 11 pm for the post-match fun with PIX Premiere League. And with Sony PIX, everyone can be a winner as the channel is giving viewers a chance to win every day. Simply answer the question asked during the telecast of the 11pm movie and win exclusive merchandise.

    April is also the day when ‘reading’ is celebrated. On World Book Day (April 23), Sony PIX will air one of the most successful books-to-reel adaptation – the Harry Potter movies! Potterheads are in for the biggest Pottermania.

    To end the month with a bang, Sony PIX will premiere Early Man on April 28 for the first time in India. Starring the voices of Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Maisie Williams, and Timothy Spall, the animation film is a feel-good movie for audience of all ages.

  • 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.

  • Q3-2016: Sony mobiles & devices div offset gains from games & pictures segments

    Q3-2016: Sony mobiles & devices div offset gains from games & pictures segments

    BENGALURU: Sony Corporation reported almost flat (up 0.5 per cent) YoY sales and operating revenue (sales revenue) in the quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (Q3-2015, current quarter). However, net income attributable to stockholders (net income) was 23 per cent higher YoY. Sony reported sales of  ?2580.8 billion as compared to the ?2466.7 billion in Q3-2015. The company reported net income attributable to Sony shareholders of ?95.25 billion in Q3-2016 as compared to f ?79.96 billion in the corresponding year ago quarter.

     

    Sony says that sales were essentially flat YoY mainly due to due to increases in Game & Network Services (G&NS) segment sales, reflecting a significant increase in PlayStation4 (PS4) software sales, and in Pictures segment sales, reflecting a significant increase in Motion Pictures sales, substantially offset by decreases in Mobile Communications (MC) segment sales, reflecting a significant decrease in smartphone unit sales, and in Devices segment sales, primarily reflecting a significant decrease in image sensor sales. On a constant currency basis, sales were essentially flat year-on-year says the company.

     

    Segment Performance

     

    Mobile Communications

    Sony’s MC segment reported a 14.7 per cent decline in sales to ?384.5 billion in the current quarter as compared to the ?450.9 billion in Q3-2015, which Sony says was due to a significant decrease in smartphone unit sales resulting from a strategic decision not to pursue scale in order to improve profitability.

     

    Consequently the segment reported a higher operating profit of ?24.1 billion in Q3-2016 as compared to ?10.4 billion in Q3-2015. Sony says that this was due to an improvement in product mix reflecting a shift to high value-added models, as well as reductions in costs including marketing, research and development and other selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by the above-mentioned decrease in smartphone unit sales and the negative impact of the appreciation of the US dollar, reflecting the high ratio of US dollar-denominated costs.

     

    Game & Network Services (G&NS)

    GN&S segment reported a 10.5 per cent increase in sales to ?531.5 billion in Q3-2016 as compared to the ?309.5 million in Q3-2015, which Sony says was primarily due to an increase in PS4 software sales as well as the impact of foreign exchange rates, partially offset by a decrease in PlayStation3 (PS3) software sales.

     

    This segment’s Operating Income increased 45.5 per cent to ?40.2 billion in Q3-2016 as compared to the ?27.6 billion in Q3-2015. The gain due to to the increase in PS4 software sales as well as the absence in the current quarter of an 11.2 billion yen write-down of PS Vita and PS TV components recorded in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year. Partially offsetting the increase in operating income were the negative impact of the appreciation of the US dollar, reflecting the high ratio of US dollar-denominated costs, and the decrease in PS3 software sales.

     

    Imaging Products & Solutions (IP&S)

    IP&S segment reported a five per cent decline in sales to ?191.9 billion in the current quarter as compared to the ?201.9 billion in Q3-2015 due to decreases in unit sales of video cameras and digital cameras reflecting a contraction of the market, partially offset by an improvement in the product mix of digital cameras reflecting a shift to high value-added models.

     

    IP&S operating income increased 28.6 per cent to ?25.9 billion in Q3-2016 as compared to the ?20.1 billion in Q3-2015. During the current quarter there was a 1.9 billion yen positive impact from foreign exchange rate fluctuations says Sony.

     

    Home Entertainment & Sound (HE&S)

    Sony’s HE&S segment reported 4.3 per cent decline in revenue to ?402.2 billion in the current quarter as compared to the ?420.2 billion in Q3-2015 due to a decrease in unit sales of LCD televisions, and a decrease in home audio and video unit sales, reflecting a contraction of the market, as well as the impact of foreign exchange rates, partially offset by an improvement in the product mix of LCD televisions, reflecting a shift to high value-added model.

     

    HE&S operating income reported 19.8 per cent growth in operating income to ?31.2 billion in Q3-2016 as compared to the ?26 billion in Q3-2015 reductions and an improvement in product mix, partially offset by the negative impact of the appreciation of the US dollar, reflecting the high ratio of US dollar-denominated costs, as well as the impact of the above-mentioned decrease in sales.

     

    In Television, sales were flat YoY as ?288.5 billion. This was primarily due to a decrease in LCD television unit sales resulting from a strategic decision not to pursue scale in order to improve profitability and the impact of foreign exchange rates, substantially offset by the improvement in product mix reflecting a shift to high value-added models. Operating income increased ?6.6 billion yen YoY to ?15.9 billion. This increase was primarily due to cost reductions and the improvement in product mix, partially offset by the negative impact of the appreciation of the US dollar, reflecting the high ratio of US dollar-denominated costs, and the impact of the decrease in unit sales.

     

    Devices

    Devices Sales reduced 12.6 per cent YoY to ?249.9 billion in the current quarter from ?285.9 billion. This increase was primarily due to the impact of foreign exchange rates and an increase in demand for image sensors, partially offset by a decrease in battery business sales. Sales to external customers increased 17.3 per cent YoY.

     

    Operating income of the segment in Q3-2016 increased ?4.4 billion YoY to ?32.7 billion from ?28.3 billion in Q3-2015. This decrease was primarily due to a significant decrease in sales of image sensors, reflecting a decrease in demand for mobile products, and a significant decrease in battery business sales. This sales decrease was partially offset by an increase in sales of camera modules, which were lower than originally forecasted and the impact of foreign exchange rates. Sales to external customers decreased 7.5 per cent year-on-year.

     

    The segment reported an operating loss of ?11.7 billion in the current quarter as compared to an operating profit of ?53.8 billion in Q3-2015. This deterioration was primarily due to the deterioration in the operating results of the battery business, including the recording of a ?30.6 billion impairment charge related to long-lived assets, increases in depreciation and amortisation expenses as well as in research and development expenses for image sensors and camera modules, and the impact of the decrease in sales of image sensors.

     

    Pictures

    Sony’s Pictures segment reported 26.9 per cent growth in sales to ?262.1 billion in Q3-2016 as compared to the ?206.6 billion in Q3-2015. The increase in sales on a US dollar basis was primarily due to significantly higher sales for Motion Pictures, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates. The increase in Motion Pictures sales was primarily driven by higher theatrical revenues, as the current quarter benefitted from the strong worldwide theatrical performances of Spectre and Hotel Transylvania 2, partially offset by lower home entertainment revenues, as the same quarter of the previous fiscal year benefitted from the home entertainment performances of 22 Jump Street and The Equalizer.

     

    Operating income in the current quarter more than tripled (3.27 time) at ?20.4 billion YoY from ?6.2 billion from ?1 billion in Q3-2014 due to the impact of the above-mentioned increase in sales, partially offset by higher theatrical marketing expenses. The increase in operating income also reflects lower overhead expenses as compared to the same quarter of the previous fiscal year, primarily due to a reduction in incentive compensation expense as well as insurance recoveries related to losses incurred from the cyberattack on SPE’s network and IT infrastructure in the fall of 2014.

     

    Music

    Music reported 8.2 per cent increase in sales to ?18.1 billion in Q3-2016 as compared to the ?167.5 billion in Q3-2015 due to the impact of the depreciation of the yen against the US dollar. Sony says that the increase in sales on a constant currency basis was due to higher Recorded Music sales, reflecting an increase in digital streaming revenue, and higher Visual Media and Platform sales, reflecting the strong performance of a game application for mobile devices. The current quarter includes record-breaking sales of Adele’s new album 25. Other best-selling titles included One Direction’s Made in the A.M., Elvis Presley’s If I Can Dream: Elvis Presley with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Bruce Springsteen’s The Ties That Bind: The River Collection.

     

    Operating income increased ?1.5 billion year-on-year to ?27.4 billion ($228 million). This increase was primarily due to the above-mentioned increase in sales in Recorded Music and Visual Media and Platform.

     

    Operating income increased ?2.4 billion to ?14.6 billion. This increase was primarily due to an improvement in product mix, reflecting an increase in digital streaming revenues says Sony.

     

    Financial services

    Financial services increased 5.6 per cent YoY to ?322.0 billion primarily due to an increase in revenue at Sony Life. Revenue at Sony Life increased 5.7 per cent year-on-year to ?295.0 billion mainly due to an increase in insurance premium revenue reflecting a steady increase in policy amount in force.

     

    Operating income of ?52.2 billion was recorded, essentially flat YoY. At Sony Life, operating income of ?51.6 billion was recorded, essentially flat YoY, mainly due to the above-mentioned increase in insurance premium revenue, substantially offset by an increase in operating expenses.

     

    Other

    Sales decreased 17.7 per cent YoY in Q3-2016 to ?5196.8 billion.

    Operating income of ?515.7 billion was recorded in Q3-2016, compared to an operating loss of ?5112.6 billion in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year. This improvement was primarily due to a decrease in PC exit costs, including restructuring charges and after-sales service expenses, as well as the absence in the current quarter of sales company fixed costs charged to the PC business in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year, which were allocated based on the prior year results says Sony.

     

  • Q3-2016: Sony mobiles & devices div offset gains from games & pictures segments

    Q3-2016: Sony mobiles & devices div offset gains from games & pictures segments

    BENGALURU: Sony Corporation reported almost flat (up 0.5 per cent) YoY sales and operating revenue (sales revenue) in the quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (Q3-2015, current quarter). However, net income attributable to stockholders (net income) was 23 per cent higher YoY. Sony reported sales of  ?2580.8 billion as compared to the ?2466.7 billion in Q3-2015. The company reported net income attributable to Sony shareholders of ?95.25 billion in Q3-2016 as compared to f ?79.96 billion in the corresponding year ago quarter.

     

    Sony says that sales were essentially flat YoY mainly due to due to increases in Game & Network Services (G&NS) segment sales, reflecting a significant increase in PlayStation4 (PS4) software sales, and in Pictures segment sales, reflecting a significant increase in Motion Pictures sales, substantially offset by decreases in Mobile Communications (MC) segment sales, reflecting a significant decrease in smartphone unit sales, and in Devices segment sales, primarily reflecting a significant decrease in image sensor sales. On a constant currency basis, sales were essentially flat year-on-year says the company.

     

    Segment Performance

     

    Mobile Communications

    Sony’s MC segment reported a 14.7 per cent decline in sales to ?384.5 billion in the current quarter as compared to the ?450.9 billion in Q3-2015, which Sony says was due to a significant decrease in smartphone unit sales resulting from a strategic decision not to pursue scale in order to improve profitability.

     

    Consequently the segment reported a higher operating profit of ?24.1 billion in Q3-2016 as compared to ?10.4 billion in Q3-2015. Sony says that this was due to an improvement in product mix reflecting a shift to high value-added models, as well as reductions in costs including marketing, research and development and other selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by the above-mentioned decrease in smartphone unit sales and the negative impact of the appreciation of the US dollar, reflecting the high ratio of US dollar-denominated costs.

     

    Game & Network Services (G&NS)

    GN&S segment reported a 10.5 per cent increase in sales to ?531.5 billion in Q3-2016 as compared to the ?309.5 million in Q3-2015, which Sony says was primarily due to an increase in PS4 software sales as well as the impact of foreign exchange rates, partially offset by a decrease in PlayStation3 (PS3) software sales.

     

    This segment’s Operating Income increased 45.5 per cent to ?40.2 billion in Q3-2016 as compared to the ?27.6 billion in Q3-2015. The gain due to to the increase in PS4 software sales as well as the absence in the current quarter of an 11.2 billion yen write-down of PS Vita and PS TV components recorded in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year. Partially offsetting the increase in operating income were the negative impact of the appreciation of the US dollar, reflecting the high ratio of US dollar-denominated costs, and the decrease in PS3 software sales.

     

    Imaging Products & Solutions (IP&S)

    IP&S segment reported a five per cent decline in sales to ?191.9 billion in the current quarter as compared to the ?201.9 billion in Q3-2015 due to decreases in unit sales of video cameras and digital cameras reflecting a contraction of the market, partially offset by an improvement in the product mix of digital cameras reflecting a shift to high value-added models.

     

    IP&S operating income increased 28.6 per cent to ?25.9 billion in Q3-2016 as compared to the ?20.1 billion in Q3-2015. During the current quarter there was a 1.9 billion yen positive impact from foreign exchange rate fluctuations says Sony.

     

    Home Entertainment & Sound (HE&S)

    Sony’s HE&S segment reported 4.3 per cent decline in revenue to ?402.2 billion in the current quarter as compared to the ?420.2 billion in Q3-2015 due to a decrease in unit sales of LCD televisions, and a decrease in home audio and video unit sales, reflecting a contraction of the market, as well as the impact of foreign exchange rates, partially offset by an improvement in the product mix of LCD televisions, reflecting a shift to high value-added model.

     

    HE&S operating income reported 19.8 per cent growth in operating income to ?31.2 billion in Q3-2016 as compared to the ?26 billion in Q3-2015 reductions and an improvement in product mix, partially offset by the negative impact of the appreciation of the US dollar, reflecting the high ratio of US dollar-denominated costs, as well as the impact of the above-mentioned decrease in sales.

     

    In Television, sales were flat YoY as ?288.5 billion. This was primarily due to a decrease in LCD television unit sales resulting from a strategic decision not to pursue scale in order to improve profitability and the impact of foreign exchange rates, substantially offset by the improvement in product mix reflecting a shift to high value-added models. Operating income increased ?6.6 billion yen YoY to ?15.9 billion. This increase was primarily due to cost reductions and the improvement in product mix, partially offset by the negative impact of the appreciation of the US dollar, reflecting the high ratio of US dollar-denominated costs, and the impact of the decrease in unit sales.

     

    Devices

    Devices Sales reduced 12.6 per cent YoY to ?249.9 billion in the current quarter from ?285.9 billion. This increase was primarily due to the impact of foreign exchange rates and an increase in demand for image sensors, partially offset by a decrease in battery business sales. Sales to external customers increased 17.3 per cent YoY.

     

    Operating income of the segment in Q3-2016 increased ?4.4 billion YoY to ?32.7 billion from ?28.3 billion in Q3-2015. This decrease was primarily due to a significant decrease in sales of image sensors, reflecting a decrease in demand for mobile products, and a significant decrease in battery business sales. This sales decrease was partially offset by an increase in sales of camera modules, which were lower than originally forecasted and the impact of foreign exchange rates. Sales to external customers decreased 7.5 per cent year-on-year.

     

    The segment reported an operating loss of ?11.7 billion in the current quarter as compared to an operating profit of ?53.8 billion in Q3-2015. This deterioration was primarily due to the deterioration in the operating results of the battery business, including the recording of a ?30.6 billion impairment charge related to long-lived assets, increases in depreciation and amortisation expenses as well as in research and development expenses for image sensors and camera modules, and the impact of the decrease in sales of image sensors.

     

    Pictures

    Sony’s Pictures segment reported 26.9 per cent growth in sales to ?262.1 billion in Q3-2016 as compared to the ?206.6 billion in Q3-2015. The increase in sales on a US dollar basis was primarily due to significantly higher sales for Motion Pictures, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates. The increase in Motion Pictures sales was primarily driven by higher theatrical revenues, as the current quarter benefitted from the strong worldwide theatrical performances of Spectre and Hotel Transylvania 2, partially offset by lower home entertainment revenues, as the same quarter of the previous fiscal year benefitted from the home entertainment performances of 22 Jump Street and The Equalizer.

     

    Operating income in the current quarter more than tripled (3.27 time) at ?20.4 billion YoY from ?6.2 billion from ?1 billion in Q3-2014 due to the impact of the above-mentioned increase in sales, partially offset by higher theatrical marketing expenses. The increase in operating income also reflects lower overhead expenses as compared to the same quarter of the previous fiscal year, primarily due to a reduction in incentive compensation expense as well as insurance recoveries related to losses incurred from the cyberattack on SPE’s network and IT infrastructure in the fall of 2014.

     

    Music

    Music reported 8.2 per cent increase in sales to ?18.1 billion in Q3-2016 as compared to the ?167.5 billion in Q3-2015 due to the impact of the depreciation of the yen against the US dollar. Sony says that the increase in sales on a constant currency basis was due to higher Recorded Music sales, reflecting an increase in digital streaming revenue, and higher Visual Media and Platform sales, reflecting the strong performance of a game application for mobile devices. The current quarter includes record-breaking sales of Adele’s new album 25. Other best-selling titles included One Direction’s Made in the A.M., Elvis Presley’s If I Can Dream: Elvis Presley with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Bruce Springsteen’s The Ties That Bind: The River Collection.

     

    Operating income increased ?1.5 billion year-on-year to ?27.4 billion ($228 million). This increase was primarily due to the above-mentioned increase in sales in Recorded Music and Visual Media and Platform.

     

    Operating income increased ?2.4 billion to ?14.6 billion. This increase was primarily due to an improvement in product mix, reflecting an increase in digital streaming revenues says Sony.

     

    Financial services

    Financial services increased 5.6 per cent YoY to ?322.0 billion primarily due to an increase in revenue at Sony Life. Revenue at Sony Life increased 5.7 per cent year-on-year to ?295.0 billion mainly due to an increase in insurance premium revenue reflecting a steady increase in policy amount in force.

     

    Operating income of ?52.2 billion was recorded, essentially flat YoY. At Sony Life, operating income of ?51.6 billion was recorded, essentially flat YoY, mainly due to the above-mentioned increase in insurance premium revenue, substantially offset by an increase in operating expenses.

     

    Other

    Sales decreased 17.7 per cent YoY in Q3-2016 to ?5196.8 billion.

    Operating income of ?515.7 billion was recorded in Q3-2016, compared to an operating loss of ?5112.6 billion in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year. This improvement was primarily due to a decrease in PC exit costs, including restructuring charges and after-sales service expenses, as well as the absence in the current quarter of sales company fixed costs charged to the PC business in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year, which were allocated based on the prior year results says Sony.

     

  • The Avengers’ Loki set to dawn a country star’s hat in new biopic

    The Avengers’ Loki set to dawn a country star’s hat in new biopic

    MUMBAI: Keeping his villainous persona as The Avengers’ Loki on hold momentarily, Tom Hiddleston will play country western singer Hank Williams in Marc Abraham’s I Saw the Light, which will recount the legendary country musician’s rise to fame and the tragic downfall that ensued.

     

    Hiddleston, who will do his own singing in the film, has appeared as Loki in Thor, The Avengers and Thor: The Dark World. He recently wrapped Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak and will soon start work on Ben Wheatley’s High-Rise.

     

    The film is written and directed by Abraham and is based on the bestselling biography by Colin Escott’s biography. The film is scheduled to begin production in Louisiana in October. Via Sony ATV, the production has secured rights to the Williams music catalogue including hits as “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “Hey Good Lookin’” and “Your Cheatin’ Heart.”

  • Robert Pattinson named sexiest man on Earth

    Robert Pattinson named sexiest man on Earth

    MUMBAI: Robert Pattinson has been voted world‘s sexiest man, as per a poll conducted by a magazine.
    The 26-year-old, who is reportedly rekindling his relationship with Twilight co-star Kristen Stewart, has won the accolade for the fourth year running, it is understood.
    Pattinson started his career by playing Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. He later landed the leading role of Edward Cullen in the film adaptations of the Twilight novels by Stephenie Meyer, and came to worldwide fame, thus establishing himself among the highest paid and most bankable actors in Hollywood.
    In 2010, the actor was named one of TIME magazine‘s 100 most influential people in the world and also in the same year, Forbes ranked him as one of the most powerful celebrities in the world.
    Pattinson was followed by Assemble actor Tom Hiddleston who was in turn followed by Johnny Depp.
    While Prometheus actor Michael Fassbender was in fourth place, British TV actor Benedict Cumberbatch took the fifth place.
    Over 40,000 people voted in the poll to choose the 50 sexiest men of 2012.