As from 1 February Sony MAX, the 24-hour male-skewed action and reality channel, will be available to MultiChoice’s DStv Compact and Premium subscribers in more than 40 Africa countries on channel 126.
Among the countries that will receive the channel are South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana and Tanzania.
Hit films on the cards for the next few months run the gamut from comedy and martial arts to horror and adventure, and include Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Zoolander, Jackass, Shaolin Temple, Congo and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Adding a turbo-boost to the SONY MAX menu is the inclusion of Mexican professional wrestling (known as Lucha Libre) in CMLL Presents: Arena Mexico as well as the fast-growing sport of mixed martial arts in TKO Major League MMA.
In addition, aficionados of quality television series can look forward to the South African premiere of the quirky Canadian comedy Call Me Fitz, starring Jason Priestley as a charismatic but slightly bent used-car salesman. Another choice addition to the schedule is the gritty police drama The Shield, which has won both Emmy and Golden Globe awards for lead actor Michael Chiklis.
A number of cult Japanese game shows and sports reality contests such as Unbeatable Banzuke, Ninja Warrior and Takeshi’s Castle also make a welcome return to our screens on SONY MAX in February. Also look out for the futuristic-styled reality show Solitary, in which contestants have to test their physical and mental endurance while in solitary confinement.
Says Eddie Nelson, Senior Vice President, EMEA Networks, Sony Pictures Television: “We are delighted to launch a new Sony-branded channel for the men of Africa, working closely again with such an established pay-tv player as MultiChoice. With our great line up of movies, series and not-to-be-missed action and reality programming, SONY MAX offers world class entertainment and provides advertisers a fantastic opportunity to promote their brands.’
Aletta Alberts, MultiChoice General Manager of Content, says: “”We are excited about the launch of another Sony-branded channel on the DStv platform. SONY MAX will provide more adrenaline-filled, action programming which our viewers love; with the welcome return of several viewer favourites such as Ninja Warriors and Takeshi’s Castle.’
SONY MAX joins SPT’s existing channel brand in Africa, Sony Entertainment Television, which was launched in November 2007. Sony Entertainment Television is SPT’s family-oriented, general entertainment television channel with hits such as The Amazing Race, Packed to the Rafters and The Late Show with David Letterman.
