Sony BBC Earth launches in India

This joint venture is a pioneering model for us in global markets. By working with a respected local partner of the calibre of Sony Pictures Networks, we look forward to bringing BBC Earth’s world class content to a new audience who we know has a huge appetite for premium factual programming.

Sony BBC Earth is a premium factual entertainment channel brought to you by MSM Worldwide Factual Media – a joint venture between Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) and BBC Worldwide.

The JV partnership combines SPN’s extensive experience and expertise in operating and distributing televised entertainment both to audiences in India and across the globe, with BBC Worldwide’s extensive catalogue of programming and reputation for excellence in premium factual content.

Sony BBC will bring award-winning, premium factual content from BBC Worldwide  to over 500 million of SPN’s viewers across India, and will feature some of the world's foremost factual film-makers and extraordinary storytellers like Sir David Attenborough and other well-known BBC Earth personalities like Bafta-winning English naturalist, writer and television presenter Steve Backshall, author, broadcaster and writer, Ben Fogle, Dr Michael Mosley - amedical doctor and award-winning science journalist as well as award-winning wildlife cameraman, presenter and film maker, Gordon Buchanan.

As a key differentiator in its category, the channel will have defined programming slots - Why, How & What on Earth @ 8:00PM forfun and insightful science, Wild Wild Earth @ 9:00PM for nature and wildlife, and Earth Explorers @ 10:00PM for adventure and human interest stories. Weekends will showcase distinctive stories with a special slot; Earth Specials. Key launch shows include The Hunt, Where The Wild Men Are with Ben Fogle, Trust Me I’m A Doctor, Snow Chick andthe iconic, greatly anticipated series, Planet Earth II amongst others.

Sony BBC Earth will be available in both SD and HD in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

Comments

NP Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Sony Pictures Networks India

“Sony Pictures Networks is known to create compelling and differentiated brands across all genres that it operates in. Nurtured as a JV partnership, Sony BBC Earth, combines the strengths of both partners; including fascinating content, estimable brand equity and superior sales and distribution prowess. This gives Sony BBC Earth a distinct positioning and watchability. I am confident that this channel will be a major player in its category.”

Paul Dempsey, President Global Markets, BBC Worldwide 

“This joint venture is a pioneering model for us in global markets. By working with a respected local partner of the calibre of Sony Pictures Networks, we look forward to bringing BBC Earth’s world class content to a new audience who we know has a huge appetite for premium factual programming.”

 

About Sony Pictures Networks India:

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), (formerly Multi Screen Media Private Ltd.), is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation which owns and operates the Sony Entertainment network of television channels.

As a leading television network in India, SPN comprises of 22 channels including Sony Entertainment Television (SET), one of India's leading Hindi general entertainment television channels; MAX, India's premium Hindi movies and special events channel; MAX 2, a second Hindi movie channel showcasing great Indian Cinema; MAX HD, a high definition Hindi movie channel airing premium quality films; WAH, the FTA Hindi Movie channel for rural audiences SAB, a family comedy entertainment channel; PIX, the English movie channel; LePlex HD showing critically-acclaimed Hollywood films; AXN, the leader amongst English Entertainment Channels; AATH, the Bangla movie channel; MIX a refreshing Hindi music channel; ROX HD, a channel for contemporary Hindi music; SIX and SONY ESPN – the cluster of sports entertainment channels; SonyLIV - the Digital Entertainment VOD platform and SPN Productions, the networks’ Bollywood film production arm.

Sony Pictures Networks India is in its 22nd year in India.

Contact: Humsa Dhir, +91 22 6461174; [email protected]

 

About BBC Worldwide

BBC Worldwide is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Its vision is to build the BBC’s brands, audiences, commercial returns and reputation across the world. This is achieved through investing in, commercializing and showcasing content from the BBC around the world, in a way that is consistent with BBC standards and values. The business also champions British creativity globally.

In 2015/16 BBC Worldwide generated headline profits of £133.8m and headline sales of £1,029.4m and returned £222.2m to the BBC.

For more detailed performance information please see our Annual Review webpage: bbcworldwide.com/annual-review/.

Contact: Gavin Dawson, +44 7730 284611; [email protected]