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MUMBAI:
Sony has made a foray into the regional broadcasting space
through the acquisition route.
Sony
Pictures Television International (SPTI) has acquired Channel
8, a Bengali movie channel, for an undisclosed amount. The
channel will be under the management of SPTI's international
networks group.
"The
international networks group is continuously looking for new
opportunities to expand, whether it's through acquisition
or via the launch of an entirely new channel," said SPTI
president international networks Andy Kaplan.
"We're
excited by the prospects of Channel 8 and the revenue potential
for us in the Bengal region. We look forward to providing
even more high-quality Bengali-language programming in the
region," Kaplan added.
Kolkata-based
Channel 8, also known as Bangla Entertainment (BEPL), was
launched in March 2008 and has licensed a library of Bengali
films and telefilms. It originally started as a free-to-air
service and will be converted to pay shortly. Channel 8 is
currently available throughout West Bengal, Tripura and some
parts of Assam and Orissa.
The
channel joins SPTI's branded channels portfolio in the Indian
market. SPTI already has television networks business in India,
Multi Screen Media Private Limited, which includes the Hindi-language
channels Sony Entertainment Television (SET), Max, Sab and
English-language Pix. SPTI's AXN and Animax channels also
air in India.
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