MANILA – Sony Pictures Television Networks is rebranding beTV in the Philippines as Sony Channel, which will debut on October 15.
This is the second rebranding for the channel, which started out as the male-skewing AXN Beyond, and was then changed to beTV in 2012, offering “lighter entertainment” and a more casual brand image.
The new rebranding sees the channel becoming more female-skewing, with new shows such as legal drama How to Get Away with Murder, White House drama Madam Secretary, romantic comedy Manhattan Love Story, and comedy-drama Jane the Virgin.
“We believe there is an opportunity in the Philippines for a general entertainment destination that is female focused, but also male inclusive. These four new series are smart, edgy and driven by strong women — a perfect fit for the new Sony Channel brand,” said Hui Keng Ang, senior vice president and general manager, Networks, Asia, Sony Pictures Television.
How to Get Away with Murder stars Oscar nominee Viola Davis as the brilliant, charismatic professor and master litigator Annalise Keating, who invites five of her first year law students to work on high profile cases and manipulates them into doing dirty legal legwork.
Madam Secretary revolves around Elizabeth McCord, played by Téa Leoni, the shrewd, determined, newly appointed Secretary of State who negotiates politics and issues, both at the White House and at home.
Manhattan Love Story is a romantic comedy that follows the journey of a new couple played by Analeigh Tipton and Jake McDorman,juxtaposing the things they say with their thoughts.
Jane the Virgin stars Gina Rodriguez as the titular character, a young woman whose vow to save her virginity until her marriage to her detective boyfriend is dashed when she is mistakenly artificially inseminated.
The new shows will join a variety of programs retained from the beTV lineup, including medical drama The Night Shift, musical drama Nashville, and reality shows Cupcake Wars and The Millionaire Matchmaker.
“Sony channel has been around for more than 15 years, it started out in Latin America and has been brought to Asia for more than six years,” Ang told adobo.
“Sony is a very, very strong brand especially in the Philippines and in the region, and Sony Pictures has been operating many channel assets in Asia…so we felt it’s the right time to realign and have all our assets have a consistent brand,” he said.
Sony Channel is seen on SKYCable Channel 35, Cignal Digital TV Channel 60, Destiny Cable Channel 62, Cable Link Channel 39.
photo: How to Get Away with Murder is among the new shows debuting on the new Sony Channel.
