MUMBAI: Multi Screen Media (MSM) has entered into a joint venture with BBC Worldwide to bring BBC Earth to India. MSM will be a majority stakeholder in the JV partnership.
Called, Sony BBC Earth, the premium factual channel for Indian audiences, will broadcast in HD and will be available in Hindi, English and Tamil across India.
While BBC Worldwide will draw on its programming catalogue, MSM has years of experience in programming and in operating and distributing television content under the Sony brand name.
It may be recalled that in April this year, the two companies has announced their intention to jointly launch BBC Earth in India.
The JV between MSM and BBC Worldwide and the launch of Sony BBC Earth is subject to necessary regulatory approvals in India.
In order to scale up the JV with BBC Worldwide, MSM will be putting together a new team, which will handle the programming, marketing, operations as well as sales and distribution of Sony BBC Earth.
MSM chief executive officer NP Singh said, “Sony BBC Earth is a joint venture between MSM and BBC Worldwide; with MSM owning the majority stake. This partnership with BBC Worldwide gives us an unparalleled edge in distributing factual programming to viewers across MSM’s network in India and to sharing with them, some of the best television content ever.”
“Sony BBC Earth will combine information and entertainment in real surroundings and audiences that crave the virgin thrill and adventure of exploring natural environments, demystifying science and rewriting history will find it difficult to meander away from this channel. We are confident that within a short span of time, this new channel will carve its own distinct positioning in the minds of the discerning Indian viewer,” he added.
BBC Worldwide Global Markets president Paul Dempsey added, “This is a pioneering model for us. By working with a respected local partner of the calibre of MSM we can bring BBC Earth’s world class content to a new audience who we know have a huge appetite for premium factual programming.”
