SonyLIV extends its digital footprint in South India; Gears to lead the Tamil digital content landscape

• Brings 2000 hrs of strong Tamil content
• Launches first Tamil original - Aivar

Chennai, 28^th May, 2019: SonyLIV, India’s first premium video on demand (VOD) platform, today launched its services in Tamil to localise the entertainment experience for its viewers. Uday Sodhi, Business Head Digital, Sony Pictures Networks India was present with Tamil industry’s popular faces Gautham Vasudev Menon, Baalaji Mohan  and Singeetham Srinivas to announce their association with the platform and the huge portfolio of Tamil content that goes live on SonyLIV this June.

(L-R) Amogh Dusad, Singeetham Srinivas, Kutty Padmini, Ashwin Kakamanu, Uday Sodhi, Business Head, Digital, Sony Pictures Networks India, Sanjana Galrani, Balaji Mohan, Badri Venkatesh

Headlining the announcement was the launch of SonyLIV’s first ever Tamil original –Aivar. Directed by Harsha, the show features Ashwin Kakamanu and Sanjana Galrani in the lead and is about a businessman’s struggle to revive his grandfather’s newspaper. Adding onto SonyLIV’s existing catalogue of 85 originals, Aivar will be up for viewing this June.

(L-R) Actor Ashwin Kakamanu, Uday Sodhi, Business Head, Digital, Sony Pictures Networks India, Actor Sanjana Galrani

SonyLIV’s Tamil slate also includes other titles like The Farm and My Marappu, the first show to be shot completely in USA. Sony Pictures Network’s top 20 shows, a host of movies and TVF originals like Pitchers, Tripling and Permanent Roommates will also be updated in Tamil for inducing a relevant and relatable viewing habit. SonyLIV will also be remaking the most popular IP of the network in Tamil. Crime Patrol, one of the longest running shows of the network will be remade on digital comprising of locally relevant stories and characters.

Aivar Team with Uday Sodhi, Business Head, Digital, Sony Pictures Networks India

SonyLIV also has an extensive library of highly rated and award-winning English shows like The Good Doctor, Counterpart, Victoria, The Handmaid’s Tale and more for the South markets. Football enthusiasts can now watch their favourite game on SonyLIV with Tamil commentary.

The Tamil content library will be available under premium subscription of Rs 99/- per month and Rs 499/- per year along with a sachet pack of 29 for 7 days. Currently, SonyLIV has existing libraries in Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati and just announced services in Telugu yesterday.

Director Singeetham Srinivas

Uday Sodhi, Business Head – Digital, Sony Pictures Networks India:

“As pioneers, SonyLIV recognised the potential in localising the entertainment experience for its consumers by amplifying reach and engagement. We are delighted to launch our services inTamil and strengthen our brand further in the digital ecosystem. Riding on our content portfolio, we are confident of offering viewers relatable stories and local stars coupled with a seamless digital streaming experience.”

Actors Ashwin Kakamanu and Sanjana Galrani

About SonyLIV

SonyLIV is the first premium Video on demand (VOD) service by Sony Pictures Networks’ (SPN) providing multi-screen engagement for users on all devices. Launched in January 2013, it enables users to discover over 23 years of rich content from the network channels of Sony Pictures Networks India.  It also provides a rich array of movies, strong line-up of events across all sports, shows, music, food and fitness.

With 109million app downloads so far, SonyLIV is the first amongst its competition to provide original exclusive premium content. As a true pioneer in its space, SonyLIV launched India’s first-ever original show exclusively for the online platform. Streaming the biggest football tournament, the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia on SonyLIV made it the most preferred online destination for football fans. SonyLIV also live streamed the India tour of South Africa, India tour of England and the India tour of Australia in 2018. It is the home for the biggest football leagues like UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, La Liga and more.

SonyLIV has TVF content like Tripling Season 1 and 2. It also has American entertainment giant Lionsgate Play’s top-rated shows on the platform. SonyLIV has a host of award-winning English content with award winning shows like The Good Doctor, Mr. Mercedes, Damages, Counterpart and The Handmaid’s Tale.

www.sonyliv.com

About Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN)  

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation which owns and operates the Sony Entertainment network of television channels.  

SPN has several channels including Sony Entertainment Television (SET and SET HD), one of India's leading Hindi general entertainment television channels; MAX, India's premium Hindi movies and special events channel; MAX 2, another Hindi movie channel showcasing great India Cinema; MAX HD, a high definition Hindi movie channel airing premium quality films; WAH, the FTA channel for Hindi movies; SAB and SAB HD the family-oriented Hindi comedy entertainment channels; PAL, a genre leader in rural Hindi speaking markets (HSM) showcasing the best of Hindi general entertainment and Hindi movies from SPN’s content library; PIX and PIX HD, the English movie channels; AXN and AXN HD, the channels showcasing the best in Reality, Entertainment and Drama; Sony BBC Earth and Sony BBC Earth HD, the premium factual entertainment channels, Sony AATH, the Bangla entertainment channel; MIX a refreshing Hindi music channel; YAY!, the kids entertainment channel; sports entertainment channels – SONY SIX, SONY SIX HD, SONY ESPN, SONY ESPN HD, SONY TEN 1,  SONY TEN 1 HD, SONY TEN 2, SONY TEN 2 HD, SONY TEN 3, SONY TEN 3 HD; Sony मराठी, the Marathi general entertainment channel; SonyLIV - the digital entertainment VOD platform; SPN Productions, the networks’ film production arm and StudioNEXT the independent production venture for original content and IPs for TV and digital media. SPN reaches out to over 700 million viewers in India and is available in 167 countries. 

The network is recognized as an employer of choice within and outside the media industry. SPN is a recipient of several awards, including the ‘Aon Best Employers India’ Award in recognition of SPN’s unique workplace culture and exceptional people practices, consistently ranking amongst India’s Top 10 Companies with Best Health & Wellness Practices by SHRM & CGP Partners, listed by Working Mother & AVTAR as one of the 100 Best Companies for Women in India and adjudged one of India’s Great Workplaces by the Great Place To Work® Institute.

Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited is in its 24^th year of operations in India. It has a subsidiary, MSM-Worldwide Factual Media Private Limited and an affiliate, Bangla Entertainment Private Limited in India.

For more information, log onto www.sonypicturesnetworks.com