SPNI to realign its portfolio by discontinuing Sony Mix, Sony ESPN

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has decided to realign its channel portfolio. The company is set to discontinue its Hindi music channel Sony Mix apart from sports channels Sony ESPN SD and HD. The channels will be discontinued from 31st March.

“In keeping with our growth strategy, we are realigning our channel portfolio. Accordingly, we have decided to discontinue a few channels. This decision comes into effect on March 31, 2020,” an SPNI spokesperson said.

With the discontinuation of Sony Mix, the broadcaster will exit the Hindi music genre completely. Earlier, it had shut down Sony Rox HD on 31st December 2018. Sony Mix was launched in September 2011 while Sony Rox HD had debuted in January 2017.

Apart from Sony Rox HD, the broadcaster had also shut down premium English movie channel Sony Le Plex HD and sports channel dedicated to Golf named Sony TEN Golf HD.

In 2015, Sony had joined hands with ESPN to launch a co-branded channel Sony ESPN. As part of its new content strategy, Sony ESPN/Sony ESPN HD had become the home of the best of international sports like the NBA. It is pertinent note that ESPN’s parent company Disney has acquired Star India as part of its 21st Century Fox acquisition.

SPNI has a strong presence in Hindi GEC, Hindi movie, and sports genres. It is also an established player in English entertainment, infotainment, and kids categories. The broadcaster is also present in Marathi and Bengali markets through Sony Marathi and Sony Aath. It reaches out to over 700 million viewers in India and is available in 167 countries.