SET Grows African Reach

LONDON: Sony Pictures Television has secured an agreement with MultiChoice that extends its general-entertainment channel Sony Entertainment Television (SET) across Africa, bringing its total number of subscriber households in the territory to more than 2 million.

Beginning May 6, SET will cover Sub-Saharan Africa, with launches on both DStv’s Premium and Compact bouquets. At the same time, SET in South Africa, which has been on the air since November 2007, is also now available on both the Compact and Premium bouquets with DStv.

Targeting an audience of 18 to 49, SET airs series such as The Late Show with David Letterman, Leverage, Rescue Me, The Amazing Race, The Shield, The West Wing and Will & Grace. SET is now watched in more than 90 countries, reaching more than 90 million households.

“Expanding SET distribution both within South Africa and across Sub-Saharan Africa is an exciting development for SPT,” said Ross Hair, the executive VP of international networks for SPT. “We look forward to continuing our close partnership with MultiChoice, geared to delivering outstanding entertainment to Africa’s growing pay-TV audience."