Culver Max Entertainment
Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited, doing business as Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN or SPNI), is an Indian media conglomerate owned by Sony Pictures.
| Culver Max Entertainment | |
| Formerly |
|
| Founded | September 18, 1995 |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Indian subcontinent |
Key people | NP Singh (MD & CEO) Nitin Nadkarni (CFO) Ashok Nambissan (General Counsel) |
| Owner | Sony |
| Parent | Sony Pictures |
| Website | sonypicturesnetworks |
Culver Max Entertainment manages and operates 26 television channels, the streaming media platform SonyLIV, as well as the television studio Studio NEXT and film studio Sony Pictures International Productions.[1]
History
It was founded on September 18, 1995[2] as Sony Entertainment Television India Private Limited (SET India Pvt Ltd.).[3][4] The first channel from the company was Sony Entertainment Television.
In 1999, SET India Pvt Ltd., launched its second channel Sony Max[5] which broadcast Hindi movies and sports events along with Sony Entertainment Television. In 2005, SET India Network bought SAB TV from Sri Adhikari Brothers and rebranded as Sony SAB.[6] In 2006 SET India launched the English movie channel Sony Pix.
In December 2007, SET India Private Limited was renamed as Multi Screen Media Private Limited.[7]
In December 2015, the company was renamed as Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN).[8][9]
On 22 September 2021, Zee Entertainment Enterprises announced that it had reached an agreement in principle to merge its television networks, production operations, digital assets, and program libraries with SPN; the combined company would be majority-owned by Sony, and led by Zee CEO Punit Goenka.[10][11] On 21 December 2021, the two companies reached a definitive agreement to merge; it was stated that the combined company "should be well-positioned to meet the growing consumer demand for premium content across entertainment touchpoints and platform[s]."[12]
In April 2022, SPN changed its corporate name to Culver Max Entertainment (taking its name and logo from a vanity production company used for the Sony/Marvel animated series The Spectacular Spider-Man); the name is used exclusively by the holding company, with Sony Pictures Networks continuing to be used as the consumer-facing brand.
On 24 October 2022, nearly all of Sony's networks underwent a rebranding coinciding with Diwali, replacing the cropped "S" logo used by SET since its launch with the S-curve logo template used by Sony's television networks worldwide since 2019, and first used locally by SonyLIV.[13][14]
Sports
The network forayed into the Indian sports TV market in 2002 after acquiring the licence rights for International Cricket Council (ICC) matches from 2002 to 2007,[15] which were broadcast on SET and Sony MAX.[16] In 2008, along with Singapore-based World Sport Group, it won the broadcast rights for the IPL for 10 years.[17] In April 2012, it launched its first sports channel Sony SIX.[18] In August 2016, SPN acquired the TEN Sports networks from Zee Entertainment Enterprises for $385 million, with the networks rebranded in 2017 under the "Sony TEN" brand, and integrated with Sony Six and Sony ESPN.[19][20][21]
General entertainment
In the widespread entertainment category, Sony Entertainment Television (SET)[22] and Sony SAB[23] are the network's premier channels. Offering content from SET and Sony SAB is Sony Pal,[24] a channel targeted towards rural Hindi-speaking markets. Sony YAY![25] is a kids’ entertainment channel that airs several shows in regional languages.
The network also has a joint venture with BBC Earth to showcase non-fictional programming via Sony BBC Earth.[26] Sony Aath is a premium Bangla entertainment channel centered on showcasing series, films, animated shows and sports events produced or dubbed in Bengali.[citation needed] Sony Marathi is a Marathi channel aimed at the Maharashtra audience.
Owned channels
On air channels
| Channel | Launched | Language | Category | SD/HD availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Entertainment Television | 1995 | Hindi | General Entertainment | SD+HD | |
| Sony SAB | 1999 | Formerly SAB TV | |||
| Sony Pal | 2014 | SD | |||
| Sony Kal | 2022 | Available in USA & Canada only | |||
| Sony Max | 1999 | Movies | SD+HD | ||
| Sony Max 2 | 2014 | SD | |||
| Sony Wah | 2016 | ||||
| Sony Sports Ten 3 | 2010 | Sports | SD+HD | Formerly Sony Ten 3 | |
| Sony Pix | 2006 | English | Movies | ||
| Sony Sports Ten 1 | 2002 | Sports | Formerly Sony Ten 1 | ||
| Sony Sports Ten 2 | 2006 | Formerly Sony Ten 2 | |||
| Sony Sports Ten 5 | 2012 | Formerly Sony Six | |||
| Sony YAY! | 2017 | English, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam | Kids | SD | Formerly Animax |
| Sony BBC Earth | 2017 | English, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, | Infotainment | SD+HD | Joint venture by BBC Studios |
| Sony Sports Ten 4 | 2021 | Telugu, Tamil | Sports | Formerly Sony Ten 4 | |
| Sony Aath | 2009 | Bengali | General Entertainment | SD | Formerly Channel 8 |
| Sony Marathi | 2018 | Marathi |
Defunct channels
| Channel | Launched | Defunct | Language | Category | SD/HD availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Mix | 2011 | 2020 | Hindi | Music | SD | |
| Sony Rox HD | 2017 | 2018 | HD | |||
| Sony Ten 3 | 2016 | 2022 | Sports | SD+HD | Rebranded as Sony Sports TEN 3 | |
| Ten Cricket | 2010 | 2016 | Rebranded as Sony Ten 3 | |||
| Ten Action | English | Rebranded as Sony Ten 2 | ||||
| AXN | 1999 | 2020 | General Entertainment | |||
| Sony Le Plex HD | 2016 | 2018 | Movies | HD | ||
| Animax | 2004 | 2017 | Kids | SD | Replaced by Sony Yay | |
| Sony Ten 1 | 2002 | 2022 | Sports | SD+HD | Rebranded as Sony Sports TEN 1 | |
| Sony Ten 2 | 2016 | 2022 | Rebranded as Sony Sports TEN 2 | |||
| Sony Six | 2012 | 2022 | Rebranded as Sony Sports TEN 5 | |||
| Sony Kix | 2015 | 2016 | English, Hindi | SD | Rebranded as Sony ESPN | |
| Sony ESPN | 2016 | 2020 | English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam | SD+HD | Joint venture by ESPN Inc. | |
| Sony Ten Golf HD | 2015 | 2018 | English, Hindi | HD | Formerly Ten Golf HD | |
| Sony Ten 4 | 2021 | 2022 | Tamil, Telugu | SD+HD | Rebranded as Sony Sports TEN 4 |
Streaming platform
In January 2013, the network forayed into video-on-demand with the launch of its OTT platform, SonyLIV.[27] Its library consists of content from the network's channels in India such as SET and Sony SAB, alongside originals such as, Gullak,[28] LIV Shout Out[29] and Holycross.[30] Apart from archival and regional content, movie premieres, short films and LIVE sports are also a part of SonyLIV's offerings.
The platform has crossed 109 million app downloads.
Movies
Sony Max[31] and Sony Max 2[32] offer Hindi cinema to viewers. Sony MAX showcases world premieres, while Sony MAX HD focuses to Indian viewers who prefer a high definition viewing experience. Sony MAX 2 caters to viewers who appreciate evergreen Indian cinema.
Alongside these, the network offers Sony Pix[33] basing its programming on Hollywood films and Sony WAH,[34] which was a Free To Air movie channel but recently switched back as a paid channel.
Sony Pictures International Productions
Set up in 2013, Sony Pictures International Productions (SPIP)[35] is the film production arm of the network. It produces cinema for Indian diaspora audiences worldwide. Since 2015, SPIP[36] has produced and distributed films such as
- Bajatey Raho
- Darr @ the Mall
- Youngistaan
- Piku
- Chalk n Duster
- Azhar
- Maacher Jhol
- Mubarakan
- Poster Boys
- Padman
- 102 Not Out
- Soorma
- Bombairiya
- Ghoomketu
- Shakuntala Devi
- Helmet
- Dial 100
- Looop Lapeta
- Major
- Nikamma
The upcoming films from SPIP include Maaveeran, Shaktimaan, Kaash Aisa Hota, Aankh Micholi, Advait, Dive and among others.
Studio NEXT
An independent business unit of SPNI, Studio NEXT creates original content and IPs for television and digital media within India and globally.[37] The venture began its journey by producing the debutant season of Kus Bani Koshur Karorpaet, the Kashmiri adaptation of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? but like other vernacular Indian adaptations, structured more in line with Indian flagship, national adaptation in Kaun Banega Crorepati.[a] Going forward, Studio NEXT will continue to produce new IPs whilst leveraging the existing ones under Sony Entertainment ownership.
Corporate social responsibility
'Ek India Happywala' is the call-to-action under which the network guides its contribution towards society. To create change in society, it focuses on 3 impact areas - Environment, Education and Empowerment.[41]
The network associates itself with several NGOs such as Krida Vikas Sanstha,[42] Cricket Association for the Blind of Maharashtra (CABM)[43] and ConnectEd Technologies to name a few, and undertakes initiatives such as providing clean drinking water to drought-affected areas in Maharashtra[41] and supporting upcoming Indian athletes with equipment and training required to compete at international events among a few.
International presence and distribution reach
SPNI reaches out to over 700M viewers across India and is available in 167 countries.[44]
See also
Notes and references
- ^ Although season 10 of KBC was reported to be co-produced with the legacy, pre-existing production company BIG Synergy by at least 2 sources,[38][39] the contract-documents from the company noted only the latter [as the producing-entity],[40] as has been the case for preceding seasons. Nevertheless, it remained uncredited on-screen. Thereby, making Kus Bani Koshur Karorpaet their first-ever credited project.
- ^ "Sony Pictures Networks: Life after IPL". Fortune India. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "SET India Private Limited Information - SET India Private Limited Company Profile, SET India Private Limited News on The Economic Times". The Economic Times. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ "NP Singh is Multi Screen Media CEO". @businessline. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- ^ "SET INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED - Company, directors and contact details". Zauba Corp. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ ""We are getting into an aggressive growth mode now"- N.P. Singh". afaqs!. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- ^ "Adhikaris sell SAB TV brand to Sony for $13 m". The Financial Express. 15 March 2005. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- ^ "SET India renamed Multi Screen Media Pvt. Ltd". afaqs!. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- ^ "Multi Screen Media (MSM) is now Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN)". exchange4media.com. 14 December 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ Shah, Gouri (3 January 2014). "N.P. Singh takes over as CEO at Multi-Screen Media". mint. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- ^ "Zee Entertainment Approves In-principle Merger With Sony Pictures India". Moneycontrol. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Sony Pictures India to Merge With Zee Entertainment". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ^ "Sony Pictures Networks, Zee Complete Merger to Create Indian TV Giant". Variety. 22 December 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ "Sony Pictures Networks India Rebrands Channel Portfolio". BW Businessworld. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
- ^ Bhadra, Soham. "Sony Pictures Network channels get rebranded with new logos and graphics". dreamdth.com. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
- ^ "Sony bags World Cup TV rights". The Times of India. 15 February 2002. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ "Sony to air ICC Champion's Trophy on MAX and SET, no plans for sports channel". exchange4media. 4 April 2002. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ "Sony and World Sports Group bag IPL television rights". ESPNCricinfo. 14 January 2008. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ Bhat, Varada (21 March 2012). "Coming from Sony: Sports channel named Six". Business Standard India. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ Menon, Bindu. "Sony Pictures acquires Ten Sports for $385 m". @businessline. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ^ "Zee completes 1st phase of sale of TEN sports to Sony Pictures". The Financial Express. 28 February 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ^ "Sony Pictures Networks India to Acquire Ten Sports for $385 Million". The Hollywood Reporter. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ "SET India - Indian Television, Hindi Serials, TV Shows & Live Reality Soaps| Entertainment Channel". setindia.com. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "SAB TV". sabtv.com. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "Sony Pal Information".
- ^ "Sony YAY! turns 2 - Exchange4media". Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ www.ETBrandEquity.com. "It is official! Sony BBC Earth launches in India - ET BrandEquity". ETBrandEquity.com. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "SonyLIV launches video-on-demand service".
- ^ "SonyLIV launches new Hindi original webisode series, Gullak - Exchange4media". Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "SonyLIV brings its first ever unscripted original, LIV Shout Out with Aditya Narayan". MediaNews4U. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ Rajesh, Srividya (24 January 2019). "Tarun Gahlot in Holy Cross, Vikram Bhatt's web-series for SonyLIV". IWMBuzz. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "SONY MAX - Deewana bana de". sonymax.tv. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "Sony MAX2". sonymax2.tv. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "Sony PIX". sonypix.com. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "SONY WAH". sonywah.tv. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "SPN Productions". spnproductions.in. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "Sony Pictures Networks Productions unveils two new releases for 2018". TelevisionPost. 5 April 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ Laghate, Gaurav (28 August 2018). "Sony Pictures launches separate content unit". The Economic Times. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "Sony's production house Studio Nxt to co-produce KBC 10". INDIANtelevision.com. 29 August 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ Saini, Sonam (29 August 2018). "SET signs 8 sponsors for KBC 10, 65% inventory sold before launch". exhange4media. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ Such as this one.
- ^ a b "Sony Pictures Networks India Takes a Step Towards Change - Provides over 20,00,000 litres of Potable Water to Villages in Maharashtra". Indian Television Dot Com. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "The SPN National Inclusion Cup 2019 a CSR Initiative of Sony Pictures Networks India". businesswireindia.com. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "Sony Pictures Networks associates with the Cricket Association for the Blind of Maharashtra for the state level cricket tournament". Sony Pictures Networks. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "Sony Pictures Networks India Enters Into a Licensing Agreement With The Indian Performing Right Society Ltd". businesswireindia.com. Retrieved 25 February 2020.