SPT Buys U.K. Channels Group

LONDON: Sony Pictures Television has expanded its U.K. activities with the acquisition of the channels business Dolphin Broadcasting along with picking up a majority stake in the ad sales house Dolphin TV.

The move brings five new channels to SPT’s U.K. portfolio: Movies4Men, Movies4Men+1, Movies4Men2, Movies4Men2+1 and Men&Movies. The channels target an older, male demographic, offering movies and television content, including war, western and action films. The Dolphin TV ad business will continue to operate under the same name and management team from its current London office.

“Increasing our foothold in the U.K. is an important part of our EMEA growth plan,” said Eddie Nelson, the senior VP of networks for EMEA at SPT. “As a well established specialist in the U.K.’s multichannel market, Dolphin is an ideal fit for SPT as we develop our channel portfolio and focus on expanding Dolphin’s market share of advertising sales. We are extremely excited about working with Dolphin’s existing clients and developing the teleshopping business.”

David Goffin, the managing director of Dolphin TV, added, “Sony Pictures Television is a great strategic fit for our own channels and our advertising sales business. Naturally we are delighted to become part of SPT. The U.K. sales market is rapidly evolving and this allows us to invest in our core areas of spot and teleshopping sales.”