MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) has expanded its footprints in the Indian market by making a regional foray with the acquisition of Bengali movie channel Channel 8.

In India, until now Sony has four channels under Multi Screen Media’s fold – Hindi GECs – Sony Entertainment Television and SAB, Hindi movie and special events channel – Max and English movie channel – Pix. Additionally, SPTI’s action adventure channel AXN and kids channel Animax are also available in India.

Channel 8 will now fall under the management of SPTI’s international networks group.

SPTI president international networks Andy Kaplan said, "The international networks group is continuously looking for new opportunities to expand, whether it’s through acquisition or via the launch of an entirely new channel. We’re excited by the prospects of Channel 8 and the revenue potential for us in the Bengal region. We look forward to providing even more high-quality Bengali-language programming in the region."

Channel 8 was launched in March 2008 and has licensed a library of Bengali films and telefilms. It has been available in West Bengal, Tripura and some parts of Assam and Orissa as a free-to-air channel but will be made into a pay channel post this development.