Sony eyes Bollywood for India expansion

<p>SINGAPORE: Sony is looking to expand in India with plans to launch a new </p><p>channel and enter Bollywood - the Bombay-based Indian film industry - </p><p>according to a senior executive at the company. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Following the success of its Japanese anime channel, the network also </p><p>plans to introduce a 24-hour anime channel in Hong Kong. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Columbia Tristar International Television executive vice-president of </p><p>international networks, Jon Petrovich, said while the Indian market was </p><p>highly competitive it presented huge potential. He said the company is </p><p>in talks with "other groups to (set up) a platform as India becomes more </p><p>competitive". </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Sony's India channel competes against two other channels and Star </p><p>TV. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We have plans to launch another channel because it is a very lucrative </p><p>business and we have already set up strong distribution channels," he </p><p>said. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The network, which acts as a representative for CNBC advertising sales </p><p>and distribution in India, will also target overseas Indian </p><p>communities. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The timeline for both launches will be driven by the company's business </p><p>plan, regulatory matters and conditions for foreigners to operate in the </p><p>country, Petrovich said. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>AXN Asia, which has featured several anime programmes in Hong Kong, also </p><p>organises the annual AXN Anime Festival. "We do have a daily animation </p><p>feature, but with the success of our Japanese channel, it makes sense to </p><p>set up a channel focused on anime for Hong Kong." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The AXN Anime Festival kicked off with an action strip contest, giving </p><p>viewers the opportunity to create their own manga-style action strip </p><p>until June 15.Further plans for AXN's expansion in Asia would be </p><p>considered once the channel breaks even. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>