Ofcom awards Sony TV licence for SAB

Rumours of Sony Entertainment Television Asia launching its sibling entertainment channel SAB can finally be put to rest.

Today, media regulator Ofcom confirmed that a licence for SAB had been awarded meaning the channel can now launch in the UK market.

Sony Entertainment Television Asia’s runs the MAX Mix bouquet of channels currently consisting of movie channels MAX and Sahara Filmy, entertainment channel Sahara One, Pakistani infotainment channel ARY Digital and India’s leading news channel Aaj Tak. To consolidate its package and add further variety, the network will no doubt add SAB as an alternative entertainment offering to Sahara One and ARY Digital, instead slanting it towards a comedy/youthful genre channel.

With Sky clamping down on the number of channels it launches on its platform, many Asian TV channels are getting in the launch queue quicker than before. A few weeks ago, it was revealed on BizAsia.co.uk that ZEE Network is getting ready to launch up to five new channels to form a bouquet of its own. Other India and Pakistani broadcasters have also been finalising their paperwork to speed-up their Sky Digital launches.