MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks, Asia has inked a deal with Thailand?s Me Television for the carriage of Animax and Sony Entertainment Television (Set) on its Internet protocol television (IPTV) pay-TV platform, MeTV.

Animax and Set are placed in the newly launched "Choice L" MeTV basic tier, reaching a wide base of subscribers, on channels 415 and 335 respectively.

MeTV is a joint venture between ITV Media (HK) Limited and Telecom Of Thailand (TOT) currently available to over 40 per cent of broadband Internet connections in Thailand, or more than 1 million subscribers.

SPT executive VP, GM, Networks, Asia Ricky Ow said, "A progressive economy and a rapidly growing middle class offer great potential for pay-TV penetration to grow significantly in Thailand. We are excited to bring our channels to an even wider audience in this vibrant market, and look forward to working with MeTV to make Animax and SET must-have content offerings for their customers".

Thinakorn Thianprathum, the newly appointed MeTV GM in Bangkok commented, "We are honoured and excited to establish our relationship with Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia, which will provide our subscribers with exceptional value, initially through two of the most prestigious television channels in Southeast Asia, from one of the world?s leading producers and distributors of entertainment programming.

"Set will provide high quality general entertainment to our young adult subscribers who appreciate fashion, lifestyle, design, food, romance and celebrity gossip; while Animax will excite our younger subscribers with anime across the genres of action, romance, horror, supernatural, comedy, and slice-of-life. MeTV looks forward to expanding our relationship with SPT Networks in Asia, through the acquisition of additional television programming in the coming months to bring new world class television entertainment to our subscribers at MeTV".

Animax is currently available to 44 million homes in 17 markets offering anime programming for everyone including some of the most popular new series that are simulcast with Japan.

SET is broadcasting in 12 territories serving up a ?wickedly, juicy? brand of female skewing, English entertainment including drama, lifestyle-reality, and celebrity-driven variety shows.

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has elevated Ricky Ow as executive vice president, Networks-Asia.

Prior to this, Ow was working as senior vice president and general manager, networks, Asia. He was overseeing the company?s channel brands, including AXN India and Animax India.

In his new role, Ow will continue to oversee the networks? business across Asia and will expand his oversight by managing SPT?s two Korean joint ventures, AXN Korea and Animax Korea. He will also be responsible for developing new channel opportunities in the region.

Ow will continue to work closely on these businesses with SPT SVP Networks- Asia. He will report to SPT president of worldwide networks Andy Kaplan.

Kaplan said, "Under Ricky?s leadership, we expanded our brands and our channels are leading entertainment providers in Asia. His understanding of the region, his relationships and his business savvy will be instrumental to our continued growth and success."

Ow had joined SPT in 1999 as the head of sales and marketing for AXN.

SPT channels reach 560 million household in Asia. The portfolio of channels include SET, AXN, BeTV, One and Animax.