MUMBAI: Its good news for movie buffs as Multi Screen Media’s (MSM) long awaited plan to launch one more movie channel is rolling along fine.  And the unveiling of the new service is likely to be once both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and elections are wrapped up and done.

Multi-system operators (MSOs) say they have been approached by the Sony Entertainment Network (led by TheOneAlliance team) to keep aside space on their networks for two channels by May-end- early-June. 

One of these according to MSOs is the movie channel which has been christened as MAX 2 while the other a GEC has not yet been given a name. The GEC is likely to work as a third flanking GEC to both Sony and SAB. And the management is introducing it to take advantage of the monetisation opportunities digitisation is expected to bring with it.

Star India has in recent times been hyperactive by re-launching its Star Sports services under different brands like 1,2,3,4 and also flagging off Life OK to help absorb advertising inventory which cannot be absorbed by the market leader Star Plus. Ditto with Zee TV which has introduced &pictures while Colors debuted Rishtey India. Sony which has relatively been playing low-key was expected to up the ante and its impetus to launch new services such as the two channels is only expected.   

Await detailed report...