German media company High View takes over the Sony Pictures channels Sony AXN and Sony Channel as well as the SVOD service Sony One in German-speaking countries on September 1, 2023. No details were given on the purchase price.
“We are very pleased that these high-quality premium offerings will become part of our portfolio,” said a High View spokesperson. “The acquisition is an important strategic step and the brands perfectly complement our line-up, which stands for high-quality and target group-specific offers. We will continue the long-term content partnership with Sony Pictures Television and plan to further expand the offerings, especially the VOD part in the market, with other strong partners.”
With the acquisition, the two pay-TV channels get new names: Sony AXN becomes AXN Black and Sony Channel becomes AXN White. The SVOD service Sony One will be renamed AXN+. The programme focus remains unchanged: AXN Black will continue to run US action series while AXN White will show European series. Advertising sales will continue to be handled by Goldbach Germany.
The takeover plans became known in July 2023. High View already operates a range of free TV music channels under the umbrella brand Deluxe, pay-TV channels such as Gute Laune TV and Jukebox as well as thematic channels and FAST Channels.
