SPNI Rolls Out Sony VIZHA in Malaysia on Astro Channel 220

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has introduced its new pay-TV channel Sony VIZHA, a Tamil general entertainment channel, in Malaysia via pay-TV company Astro, further extending its global footprint and enhancing its Tamil language content. Channel 220 on Astro and Astro GO streaming service. The debut of the launch is the first time SPNI will have a linear channel on Astro, which will introduce a blend of reality and fiction, film and music to the Malaysian audience.

Sony VIZHA Debuts on Astro Channel 220 in Malaysia

Sony VIZHA has been added to channel 220 and Astro GO for Astro subscribers. The launch is part of a new alliance between the two partners, SPNI and Astro, with the goal of reaching Tamil-speaking audience in Malaysia with Indian entertainment.

The channel is named after the Tamil word for celebration, festival. It features programmes in all the international formats but also provides Tamil language programmes which have culturally relevant stories with English subtitles to extend its reach.

The launch is part of its strategy to boost engagement with Tamil-speaking viewers outside India as well as increase its channel distribution reach overseas, says SPNI.

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Sony VIZHA Programming Includes Tamil Idol and Celebrity MasterChef Tamil

Sony VIZHA's programming includes reality television, fiction, movies and music. It features A.R. Rahman's Tamil Idol and Celebrity MasterChef Tamil with Samantha Ruth Prabhu as one of the judges.

The film line of the channel comprises of Notebook 90's – Kadhal Flashback, Crime Patrol – Kutrangal Tharum Echarikkai, Madam Police – Naanga Irukka Bayamen, Tamil films.

In a bid to provide a diverse entertainment experience to the Tamil community in Malaysia, Sony VIZHA will be integrating tried and tested formats into regional language storytelling.

SPNI Sees Malaysia Launch as Strategic International Expansion

Rajesh Kaul, the chief revenue officer and business head – Sports and International at Sony Pictures Networks India, said that the launch was an appropriate move to build the network's global spread and deepen its relationship with the Tamil-speaking community outside of India.

He pointed out that the channel's global IP, talent and culturally relevant stories, along with its partnership with Astro, would give an opportunity to more viewers in the region to watch more Tamil entertainment.

Astro Strengthens Its Indian Entertainment Portfolio With Sony VIZHA

Prem Anand Rajahram, Vice president – Indian Customer Business at Astro said that the launch was the first step towards strategic partnership with SPNI. Astro is the first international partner of Sony VIZHA and will be presenting the channel in Malaysia alongside its debut in India.

The channel has a mix of reality shows, films, original dramas and culturally relevant content that would bring a boost to Astro's premium Indian entertainment offering, Rajahram said. The partnership will help Astro to further develop its entertainment offering to customers and strengthen its brand as an entertainment hub for the Indian community in Malaysia.