SONY CHANNEL HITS THE PHILIPPINE AIRWAVES

SONY PICTURES TELEVISION NETWORKS, ASIA dazzled viewers in the Philippines with a new look for beTV. Debuting last October 15, Sony Channel is set to be the premier destination for female-skewing Hollywood entertainment.

Sony Channel features some of the most captivating and talked-about drama, comedy, lifestyle and reality programs on TV, all airing close to the U.S. telecasts, together with popular feel-good movies. New programming include “How to Get Away with Murder,” the latest drama from executive producer Shonda Rhimes (“Scandal”, “Grey’s Anatomy”). Other new series coming to Sony Channel include White House drama “Madam Secretary,” starring Téa Leoni; romantic comedy “Manhattan Love Story”; as well as the comedic drama “Jane The Virgin.”

Click to read more about Manhattan Love Story

“We believe there is an opportunity in the Philippines for a general entertainment destination that is female focused, but also male inclusive. These four new series are smart, edgy and driven by strong women -- a perfect fit for the new Sony Channel brand,” said Hui Keng Ang, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Networks, Asia, Sony Pictures Television.

Click to read more about Jane the Virgin 

These series will join a variety of popular returning programs on Sony Channel, including pulsating medical drama “The Night Shift,” starring Eoin Macken (“Merlin”), which debuted as the top scripted series last summer in the U.S.; musical drama “Nashville,” which follows the struggles of the fading queen of country music and a rising young star respectively played by Emmy-nominated Connie Britton (“Friday Night Lights”) and Golden Globe-nominated Hayden Panettiere (“Heroes”); along with reality competition “Cupcake Wars” and dating series “The Millionaire Matchmaker.”

Click to read about How To Get Away With Murder 

Fresh, confident and stylish, with a dash of clever wit, Sony Channel is visually stunning with a brand identity that perfectly complements its line-up of high calibre programming. 

Click to read about Madam Secretary 

ABOUT SONY PICTURES TELEVISION NETWORKS, ASIA

Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia was established in 1997 with Singapore as the Asian headquarters of Sony Pictures Television’s networks business. It operates six ad-supported 24/7 channels which are wholly-owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment.

AXN is the home of thrilling entertainment; beTV is the place to be for the best of TV; Sony Channel is the stunning, premier destination for best of female-skewing Hollywood entertainment; Animax offers anime for all; ONE is powered by prime and current South Korean entertainment content; and GEM serves up star-studded and popular general entertainment programming from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea.

Sony Channel will be seen on SKYCable Channel 35, Cignal Digital TV Channel 60, Destiny Cable Channel 62, and Cable Link Channel 39.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1. What is Sony Channel?

Sony Channel is the premier destination for the biggest and best in Hollywood Entertainment.

Designed for the socially connected viewer, Sony Channel spotlights the most captivating, talked about shows on TV, airing close to the U.S telecasts. From dramas and comedies to lifestyle and reality programming, this is television that you live, breathe and crave.

2. Why is beTV being refreshed to Sony Channel?

Sony enjoys a reputation in the Philippines as a leading provider of electronic products ranging from computers and TV sets to music and mobile phones. What many consumers may not realize is that Sony is also a powerhouse in general entertainment, operating a successful portfolio of six English and Asian language content channels across Asia, including the number one English general entertainment pay-TV channel in the region, AXN.

In the Philippines, AXN has provided thrilling entertainment to our viewers for many years, and as a result, the channel has been consistently top in ratings. Given this, we believe that a Sony-branded channel offering a whole new entertainment experience will make for a recognizable and ideal companion to AXN for our audience

3. What sets Sony Channel apart from beTV?

Sony Channel will remain a female-skewing English general entertainment channel, however, we’ve introduced a brand identity that is truly stunning, and a fresh line up of the biggest and best entertainment from Hollywood, which air fresh from the U.S telecasts.

4. What sets Sony Channel apart from other female-skewed channels in the territory?

The new look Sony Channel cannot be compared. The look of the channel is visually mesmerizing, akin to viewing contemporary art, while our programming line-up features Hollywood’s most buzz-worthy new shows: How to Get Away with Murder, Jane the Virgin, Madam Secretary, and Manhattan Love Story to name a few. 

Sony Channel will feature social integration for added engagement across Facebook, Twitter accounts and on our new website, http://www.sonychannelasia.com/. We hope Sony Channel will become a pervasive part of our viewers’ lives, that it extends beyond TV to become a branded lifestyle experience.

5. Who is the target viewer of Sony Channel?

A female skewing, male inclusive audience who loves to escape, engage and lose themselves in premium content. Sony Channel viewers are modern, social, stylish and aspirational. Sony Channel will appeal to a core target of females, ages 25-49.

6. What are some of the new types of programs featured on Sony Channel?

Sony Channel offers an exciting mix of dramas, comedies, lifestyle and reality programming. It will also showcase some of Hollywood’s most celebrated movies. 

7. Where can I find my favorite beTV programs?

Sony Channel will continue to offer your favorite returning series, but do look out for the an exciting new line up of first and exclusive U.S series airing close to the US as well as enjoy the viewing experience.

8. Where can I find out more about Sony Channel?

You can connect with Sony Channel via its website, on Facebook or Twitter:

Check out the latest about Sony Philippines at http://www.sonychannelasia.com/ and you can also follow them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SonyChannelPH and Twitter https://twitter.com/SonyChannelPH

**Via Press Release

TV OBSESSION: Jane The Virgin

Loosely adapted from a Venezuelan telenovela of the same name, Jane the Virgin is a delightful new dramedy on Sony Channel.

Jane Villanueva (Gina Rodriguez) has been convinced of two life truths owing it all to her overbearing grandmother Alba – first, that telenovelas are the highest form of entertainment; and second, that all women must protect their virginity at all costs. Now at 23, she is a driven young woman studying to become a teacher and a writer while supporting herself with a job at a new hotel in Miami.

All the years of watching telenovelas with her mother Xiomara (known as “Xo”) and her devout grandmother gave Jane a slightly unrealistic view of love – Her sexy, young-at-heart mom Xo was an unwed mother at 16 who continues to live her life as a performer at local clubs while looking for a new man. Her grandmother Alba on the other hand is a devout and prayerful lady with religion at the center of her life. Both women share a special place in Jane’s life and continue to root for her as an ambitious and compassionate woman despite their conflicting influences on Jane.

All of Jane’s meticulous life plans are turned upside down during her life-changing routine check up when she is accidentally artificially inseminated with a specimen meant for the patient in the next room. Unbeknownst to her, the specimen belongs to Rafael (Justin Baldoni), a reformed playboy and cancer survivor who is not only the new owner of the hotel where Jane works, but also a former summer crush of hers.

A few weeks later, the unsuspecting Jane is faced with the most important decisions of her life. Will she continue with the pregnancy? How can she explain the situation to her fiancé and family? And what should she do about the wishes of the biological father, Rafael, and his scheming wife Petra? At the same time, Jane’s mother Xo is facing a life-changing decision of her own: after years of letting Jane and Alba believe she didn’t know the identity of Jane’s father, the time has come to admit the truth – Jane’s father is Xo’s former boyfriend Rogelio. Making the situation even more surreal, Rogelio is now a huge telenovela star, and he definitely wants to meet his unsuspecting daughter. 

The series also stars Brett Dier (“Ravenswood”) as Michael, Andrea Navedo (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Golden Boy”) as Xiomara, Yael Grobglas (“Reign”) as Petra, Ivonne Coll (“Switched at Birth,” “The Bold and the Beautiful”) as Alba and Jaime Camil (“Devious Maids,” “Que Pobres Tan Ricos”) as Rogelio.

Catch "Jane the Virgin"every Sunday at 9:05 PM only on Sony Channel Philippines. 

TV OBSESSION: Manhattan Love Story

Manhattan Love Story is a new romantic comedy based on this simple premise: The only way to maintain relationships—with lovers, spouses, family, co-workers, or friends—is to keep most of our thoughts to ourselves. Dana (Analeigh Tipton, Crazy, Stupid, Love) and Peter (Jake McDorman, Shameless) travel through the complicated terrain of modern-day relationship in this new romantic comedy.

The show has an extra dimension: the audience will hear Dana and Peter’s inner thoughts, highlighting the differences of men and women in dating and find out what they are really thinking when they say something. 

Dana is from Atlanta and moves to New York to chase her dreams. When she gets a job, her colleagues started losing theirs and put the blame on her. She keeps a naive and innocent disposition despite these setbacks in high hopes that her colleagues will once again like her. She is determined to succeed in the Big Apple in both career and love.

Peter, on the other hand, is a cynical New Yorker who works for his dad at the family’s business. He has dated so many women to the point that he does not remember their names when he sees them on the street.

Their contrasting personalities do not stop Dana’s friend and sorority sister Amy (Jade Catta-Preta, Californication) from setting them up both on a blind date. Filmed in New York, Manhattan Love Story also stars Nicolas Wright as David, Chloe Wepper as Chloe, and Kurt Fuller as William.

Will Peter and Dana fall in love despite the odds? Tune in to this quirky new show and find out if you’ll get smitten too!

Catch "Manhattan Love Story" every Sunday at 10PM on Sony Channel Philippines. 

TV OBSESSION: Madam Secretary

Madam Secretary revolves around the life of Elizabeth McCord (Téa Leoni), the shrewd, determined, and brilliant former CIA analyst now working as a college professor. However, after a controversy that involves a plane crash, McCord returns to public service at the request of her old friend, and the current President of the United States (Keith Carradine).

McCord’s team includes her Chief of Staff Nadine Tolliver (Bebe Neuwirth), speechwriter Matt Mahoney (Geoffrey Arend), press coordinator Daisy Grant (Patina Miller) and her charming assistant Blake Moran (Erich Bergen). McCord’s flair for diplomacy and high standards for ethics have enabled her to take on daunting political tasks such as debating third world problems, finessing foreign dignitaries at work, as well as battling it out with the President’s combative Chief of Staff Russell Jackson. As a dedicated wife and mother, she ends each day at work going home to her supportive husband, Henry, and their two bright children, where “politics” and “compromise” take on new meaning.

Sony Channel’s new political drama also stars Tim Daly (Henry McCord), Bebe Neuwirth (Nadine Tolliver), Zeljko Ivanek (Russell Jackson), Patina Miller (Daisy Grant), Erich Bergen (Blake Moran), Geoffrey Arend (Matt Mahoney), Katherine Herzer (Alison McCord), and Evan Roe (Jason McCord).

Catch "Madam Secretary" every Thursday at 9:05 PM on Sony Channel Philippines.

TV OBSESSION: How To Get Away With Murder

Academy-Award nominee Viola Davis stars as the brilliant, charismatic criminal law professor who is everything you hope your Criminal Law professor would be. She teaches a course she boldly refers to as “How To Get Away With Murder”, choosing the brightest students in her class to join her at her firm.

"I don’t know what terrible things you’ve done in your life up to this point, but clearly your karma’s out of balance to get assigned my class. I’m Professor Annalise Keating and this is Criminal Law 100, or as I prefer to call it, How to Get Away with Murder."

The students vying for this coveted position include Wes Gibbins (Alfred Enoch), a wide-eyed, likable boy-next-door recently accepted off the waitlist; Michaela Pratt (Aja Naomi King), a confident, ambitious overachiever born knowing how to "lean in;" Connor Walsh (Jack Falahee), a sly, sophisticated heartbreaker used to getting any prize he lays his eyes on; Laurel Castillo (Karla Souza), a quiet, sensitive idealist who's easy to underestimate and Asher Millstone (Matt McGorry), an entitled know-it-all born into a world of Ivy League educations and country club memberships. The students all work under two of Annalise's dedicated associates: Frank Delfino (Charlie Weber), a local Philly boy done good, and Bonnie Winterbottom (Liza Weil), a sweet, observant team-player with a hidden edge.

"How to Get Away with Murder" is created and executive-produced by Pete Nowalk ("Scandal," "Grey's Anatomy"). Shonda Rhimes ("Scandal," "Grey's Anatomy"), Betsy Beers ("Scandal," "Grey's Anatomy") and Bill D'Elia ("Grey's Anatomy," "The West Wing") also serve as executive producers. "How to Get Away with Murder" is produced by ABC Studios.

Catch "How To Get Away With Murder” every Wednesday at 9.05PM on Sony Channel  Philippines. 

Habitat and Minka Collaborate For A Common Purpose

“Minka” a South American term meaning “collaborating together for a common purpose” is now starting to be the trendy byword amongst the health-conscious market with its advocacy of being known not just as an ordinary toothbrush, but spearheading a so-called “toothbrush movement” .

In a groundbreaking partnership, Minka Toothbrushes, which are available at all Healthy Options stores nationwide, have partnered with Habitat for Humanity Philippines in its ongoing social advocacy campaign. For every sale of a Minka Toothbrush at Healthy Options, 10% of its sales will go towards ongoing projects by Habitat, particularly its water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) program. The Minka Toothbrush packaging will also include Habitat’s logo, to further promote its advocacy and awareness to socially conscious customers. Minka Toothbrushes, incidentally, are biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes, that are environmentally-friendly.

(From left to right) Anthony Fernandez, Habitat’s Online Fundraising Officer; Jonah Marie Chipeco, Habitat’s Mass Marketing Manager; Mark Rivera, Minka’s Managing Director; Xrell Nikki Mallonga, Minka’s Director of Operations; Charlie Ayco, Habitat’s CEO and Managing Director; Yvonne Lih, Habitat’s Chief Marketing Officer; and Luisito Baclagon, Mass Market Development Head.

“At Habitat, we believe sanitation and health are improved when you provide a family with decent housing, tying hand-in-hand with Minka’s vision to raise worldwide awareness on sustainability and health,” said Charlie Ayco, CEO and Managing Director of Habitat.

Minka also plans to produce a biodegradable soap in of line the WASH program and the Toothbrush Movement. “Partnering with an organization which aims to improve livelihood across the world, strengthens both Minka’s and Habitat’s collaborated work towards a global, unified goal,” said Ayco. 

**Via Press Release

AVIDA SHARES EXPERT INVESTMENT TIPS WITH "PROJECT HOMEPOSSIBLE"

Leading property developer, AVIDA LAND, holds an exclusive seminar and home fair on managing and growing your life assets with PROJECT HOMEPOSSIBLE: Get Creative with Your Own Money, Your Own Space, Your Own Life. Don't miss this one of a kind opportunity to discover creative ways on how you can manage your personal assets.

Industry experts Leila Hernandez, Edric Mendoza, and Rosario Carbonelle will share their valuable knowledge on the different possibilities of handling and maximizing your finances and investing in your first home or office. Learn decorating tips as well from one the country's celebrity interior designers, Marilen Faustino-Montenegro.  

Exclusive perks and premium gifts await guests. Secure your seats now and pre-register via http://m.avida.ph/c/project-homepossible

PROJECT HOMEPOSSIBLE will be held on Saturday, October 11 at the Grand Ballroom of Intercontinental Hotel in Makati City. Registration starts at 10AM

To know more about this event, just visit https://www.facebook.com/AvidaLandPH or http://www.avidaland.com/events/2014-09-23/project-homepossible

*Via Press Release