SONY REPORTS GOOD UK NUMBERS

Sony Entertainment says the channel has achieved a penetration of 30,000 subscribers in the UL. The split between its cable and DTH subscribers is 18,000 and 12,000 respectively. SET is currently being sold at pounds 10.99 a month on cable alone. The sticker price is pounds 12.99 per month for it and B4U on DTH if the amount is paid in advance for a year. The monthly payment option costs pounds 17.99 for the two channels. And pounds 19.99 if the two channels are bought independently.

The management is currently drawing up localised programming initiatives to attract audiences to the channel. A five-day financial news programme prepared by a Financial Times offshoot is on the anvil. The capsule will be of 15 minutes duration. Another show called Soul Asia which showcases Asian oriented music programming is also planned.

"We're also creating a lot of local events like a Kabbadi tournament which was sponsored by the Royal Navy," discloses Rajesh Pant, SET marketing head who looks after SET's UK operations. "The Khalsa anniversary was also covered extensively by us. We are quite bullish about our UK service."