MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has decided to realign its channel portfolio. The company is about to phase out its Sony Mix Hindi music channel outside of Sony ESPN SD and HD sports channels. The channels will be deleted from March 31.
“In line with our growth strategy, we are realigning our channel portfolio. As a result, we decided to delete a few channels. This decision takes effect on March 31, 2020, “said a spokesperson for SPNI.
With the end of Sony Mix, the broadcaster will completely leave the Hindi musical genre. Previously, it had closed Sony Rox HD on December 31, 2018. Sony Mix was launched in September 2011 while Sony Rox HD had its debut in January 2017.
Besides Sony Rox HD, the broadcaster had also closed the premium English cinema channel Sony Le Plex HD and the sports channel dedicated to golf called Sony TEN Golf HD.
In 2015, Sony partnered with ESPN to launch a co-branded Sony ESPN channel. As part of its new content strategy, Sony ESPN / Sony ESPN HD had become the birthplace of the best international sports like the NBA. It should be noted that Disney, the parent company of ESPN, acquired Star India as part of its acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
SPNI has a strong presence in Hindi GEC, Hindi cinema and sports genres. It is also a recognized player in the entertainment, infotainment and children’s categories in English. The broadcaster is also present on the Marathi and Bengali markets via Sony Marathi and Sony Aath. It reaches more than 700 million viewers in India and is available in 167 countries.
