Citing sources "familiar with the plans," the LATimes is reporting that Sony Pictures Television is set to launch two new movie channels by the end of 2010.
The first channel, dubbed Sony Pictures Movies HD for now, would be the company's first cable channel completely devoted to movies
Says television analyst Derek Baine: "They have been very successful internationally with their channels, but in the U.S. they have not had the leverage of the other media conglomerates, which have a bunch of different cable channels. Perhaps they are doing this because the market to sell movies to broadcast and cable networks has been so bad."
The channel has a tentative launch date of October 1st.
Sony's venture would be very similar to the popular Universal HD and MGM HD channels that are currently available to most cable subscribers.
The second channel would be the widely popular FearNet station, which is a joint venture between Comcast, Sony and Lionsgate. FearNet is currently available as a VOD channel through Comcast, FioS, and Cox and offers a plethora of horror films.
Says television analyst Derek Baine: "They have been very successful internationally with their channels, but in the U.S. they have not had the leverage of the other media conglomerates, which have a bunch of different cable channels. Perhaps they are doing this because the market to sell movies to broadcast and cable networks has been so bad."
The channel has a tentative launch date of October 1st.
Sony's venture would be very similar to the popular Universal HD and MGM HD channels that are currently available to most cable subscribers.
The second channel would be the widely popular FearNet station, which is a joint venture between Comcast, Sony and Lionsgate. FearNet is currently available as a VOD channel through Comcast, FioS, and Cox and offers a plethora of horror films.
