MSM to launch new channels, shows; eyes top 3 slot for SET

Multi Screen Media, the Indian arm of global entertainment giant Sony, is undertaking an aggressive expansion, including launch of new channels and possible acquisitions in regional language segment and new shows, to be among the top players in the country.
The company, which will soon launch a new TV series, Yudh, featuring Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, is again seeking to acquire Telegu channel MAA as part of its expansion strategy. It is also lining up six brand new daily shows.
"We are looking at an aggressive growth of the company through launch of new channels, new programmes, increasing digital presence and entering into new business areas," Multi Screen Media (MSM) Chief Executive Officer N P Singh told PTI.

In the ongoing fiscal, he said there could be at least three new channels from the company with a soon-to-be launched general entertainment channel to be the first among them.
"We have already launched MAX 2 and we will also add the HD version of English movie channel PIX. Besides, if we get more rights for other sports properties, we will consider launching another sports channel," Singh said.
On the regional expansion, he said: "Our presence in regional space is very small. We will expand in 1-2 years. Wherever we see an opportunity we will expand both through organic and inorganic routes."

He said the company, which had earlier unsuccessfully tried to pick up 30 per cent stake in Telugu channel MAA, is reevaluating the whole process.

"We expect something to happen later this year or next year," he said without disclosing details.
The company, at present, has nine channels -- Sony Entertainment Television (SET), SAB, MAX, PIX, AXN, MIX, SIX, MAX2 and Aath (Bengali) in its portfolio. Barring its Bengali regional channel, all its channel are profitable.
On the content front, he said MSM has been focusing on revamping its flagship channel SET to make it among the top three channels in its segment.

"We have revamped the management of the channel and contents on prime time slot have been changed too. In the last two weeks, we have seen a 20 per cent growth in its viewership," Singh said.
Going forward, he said: "We will have a lot of new content, starting with Yudh, which is expected to be on air sometime next month and will be telecast over 70 countries.
"Also we have commissioned six new daily shows which will come up in the next few months and they will replace some of our existing fiction shows, starting with the ones which are not doing well at that point of time."

The new season of popular Kaun Bangea Crorepati will go on air soon, he added.
Spelling out the company's aim, Singh said: "SET has not done as well as we want it to be. We want SET to be among top three within this year. Last week, it was in 5th in terms of viewership.