Narrative acquires Sony’s UK channels
US-based media investment firm Narrative Capital has acquired Sony Pictures Television’s portfolio of free-to-air channels in the UK, including Sony Movies and kids’ brand POP.
Seven channels have been acquired – Sony Movies, Sony Movies Action, Sony Movies Classic, Sony Channel, POP, Tiny POP and POP Max – along with digital assets such as the POP AVoD service.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed but Narrative says 35 channel employees in the UK will remain in London under the new Narrative Entertainment banner.
Narrative says the movies and kids portfolios it is acquiring collectively offer more than 6,400 hours of content available on Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media and Freesat.
The POP channels feature established brands such as Pokemon, My Little Pony and Care Bears, along with shows such as Alvinnn!!! & the Chipmunks, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir and PJ Masks. The POP audience is aimed at kids aged 6-10, Tiny POP is for preschoolers 3-6 and Pop Max is for boys 6-10.
The movie and entertainment portfolio offers a combined 5,000-plus hours of licensed programming across the channels including Blade Runner 2049, Fury, Prometheus, Baby Driver, Unstoppable, The Graduate and Our Man In Havana.
Series-led Sony Channel a number of classic TV drama franchises and gameshows.
Narrative says it will build on existing digital assets across the portfolio to increase reach and capture audiences on a variety of devices. There has already been an increased digital presence with the rollout of the POP Player AVoD TV and mobile app, web destinations and YouTube channels.
Narrative CEO Daniel Levin said: “Narrative’s range of activity all along the lifecycle of content makes this a terrific match. Sony Pictures Television’s UK free-to-air broadcasting business has long stood out to us as a hub for creator, brand and technology interaction, which is something we look for.
“What an exciting opportunity to rebrand with a dynamic, confident voice that welcomes new viewers to celebrate the ease, spontaneity and connection of broadcast television.”
The deal was led in the UK by Remy Minute who was the founder and CEO of CSC Media Group in 2006, a company he grew to be one of the largest portfolios of FTA channels in the country. Minute will step in as CEO to help with the transition from Sony.
Minute said: “These quality channels from Sony Pictures Television together with the agile group of media experts who run them is that rare platform opportunity from which to grow both across existing businesses and new digital extensions. I am delighted to partner with Narrative and look forward to our work in the UK and the US to fully realise the opportunity.”
