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Sony Pictures Networks India’s (SPN) is celebrating its 25th anniversary. On this occasion, N. P. Singh, MD & CEO, SPN, has issued a note to the media fraternity.
Talking about IPL and the channel’s association with the event, Singh said pointed out that the network ventured into the unchartered territory in 2007. “We invested in it when there were hardly any believers and molded it into one of the most valuable sports entertainment properties in the country.”
In the note Singh also touches upon the launch of Sony MAX in 1999. “This create a unique and unparalleled three-pronged channel identity which has not been replicated since.”
The rest of the text is below:
Another acquisition that has worked really well is Sony Aath. We took our time to launch a kid’s channel, Sony YAY! The new channel had to come up with a unique proposition in a cluttered category, and it did so through homegrown content; again, a category first. Our foray into the regional language space with the recent launch of Sony Marathi shows great promise.
We have had a fair share of challenges but have always taken them head-on. Through rigorous focus, our flagship channel SET has been turned around and now, is a torchbearer for relevant, progressive content. Presently, our footprint pervades the categories and genres of English, regional and factual entertainment besides Hindi entertainment, sports and movies. Societal reflections have been delicately portrayed in our movies; be it the story of a legendary mathematician (Shakuntala) or an inspirational hockey star (Soorma) or the fun side of arranged marriages (Mubarakan) and father-daug hter relationships (Piku).Truly, film productions under our banner have left lasting impressions.
We realised early on that digital needed to be the cornerstone of our strategy. In 2013, SPN became the first broadcaster in the country to launch an OTT platform. For all practical purposes, SonyLlV was like a start-up in an established organization and this came with its own set of challenges. But today, SonyLlV in its refreshed avatar, with its emphasis on premium original web series, live sports, global content, movies in multiple languages and popular entertainment content from our linear business, is among the most watched OTT platforms in India. I am very confident of its bright future.
What also served SPN well has been valuing its partnerships with content creators, top talent, distribution platforms, advertisers and advertising agencies, media, vendors, employees and other stakeholders. Whether distribution or advertising, our partnership approach has been fortified by our “Solutions at any cost” philosophy. We have forged a strong partnership with BBC Worldwide to launch a very successful premium factual entertainment channel, Sony BBC Earth. Our long-standing partnerships with some of the biggest names in the world of sport including WWE, NBA, Cricket Australia, ECB and Sri Lanka Cricket, bring live content to our viewers in India.
One can go on and on about SPN’s achievements. But it is more important to understand that at the end of the day, an organisation is only as good as its people. It is a matter of pride that we have cultivated an empowering workplace culture, standing tall on the tenets of consumer centricity, innovation, collaboration and diversity; recognised by the industry as one of India’s Great Places to Work. Our workplace ethos encourages larger participation of women at all levels of the organisation and we are considered one of the best places to work for women.
Through our D&I vision - Bring Your Own Self (BYOS), we seek for everyone to lead with humility and bring their individuality, their uniqueness, to work every single day. Focused on inclusive workplace practices, we envision a company where in the next five years, 50% of our workforce will be women, people with disabilities or from the LGBT+ community.
Our social programmes under the aegis of ‘Ek India Happywala’ have given a purpose to many in society. Rooted in the pillars of education, environment and empowerment, we are working across sectors to create societal impact. From educating the girl child, supporting rural communities, teaching music at prisons, encouraging and arranging sports for the blind and the homeless to providing relief to the daily wage earners of our industry during the ongoing pandemic, SPN continuously endeavours to enable a happier India.