Sony Pictures buys UK channels group Dolphin

Sony Pictures Television has acquired Dolphin Broadcasting, which operates five male-skewed movie and teleshopping channels in the UK.

Sony will fold the Movies4Men, Movies4Men+1, Movies4Men2, Movies4Men2+1 and Men&Movies offerings, into its UK channel portfolio and has also taken a stake in Dolphin’s advertising sales business, which will continue to operate under the Dolphin TV banner.

The Dolphin channels are carried on the Sky and Freesat platforms.

The five movie channels will merge with SPT’s existing UK networks business, led by senior VP broadcast and channel development, Kate Marsh, who reports to Eddie Nelson, senior VP, Networks, EMEA, at SPT.

“Increasing our foothold in the UK is an important part of our EMEA growth plan,” Nelson said. “As a well established specialist in the UK’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.”

David Goffin, managing director, Dolphin TV, said: “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 UK sales market is rapidly evolving and this allows us to invest in our core areas of spot and teleshopping sales.”