Sony eyes Bollywood for India expansion

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

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