Sony Liv
Sony Liv (marketed as SONY LIV and formerly as SonyLIV) is an Indian general entertainment, video on demand service that is owned by Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt. Ltd., based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Sony Liv logo as of 2020 | |
Type of site | Video on demand |
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Available in | English |
Headquarters | |
Area served |
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Owner | Sony Pictures Networks India |
Industry | Streaming |
Services | On-Demand video streaming |
URL | www |
Alexa rank | |
Launched | 22 January 2013 |
Current status | Active |
Overview
The service was launched on 23 January 2013.[3] Sony Liv is a part of the network of television channels owned by Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt. Ltd. in India. The network's other channels include: Sony TV, Sony SAB, Sony Ten, Sony Max, Sony Max 2, Sony Six, Sony Pix, and Sony Yay (formerly Animax Asia). It has access to 18 years of content from channels that are part of the Sony Entertainment Network. That translates to more than 700 movies and 40,000+ hours of television show coverage in Hindi, English and Tamil.[4] It also offers original web series like Lovebytes, Married Women Diaries, etc. The application underwent a revamp in its appearance in June 2020.[5]
Anime was earlier part of Sony Liv with the inclusion of Animax as a live channel.[6]
Sony Pictures Networks bagged the Indian subcontinent telecast rights for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The network will also have dedicating channels to broadcast in Russia, which includes Sony SIX, Sony TEN 1, Sony TEN 2, Sony TEN 3. Sony Liv is the official mobile and Internet broadcaster for streaming all 2018 FIFA World Cup live matches starting 14 June.[7][8]
In June 2020, Sony Liv launched as a streaming service in United States on Sling TV, with all the shows available in India available on the app[9]. The service costs USD $6 per month[10] and is included for free in multiple Hindi-language packs.
Programming
Content
Sony Liv's Library consists of 18 years of content from the Sony Entertainment Network channels in India: Sony TV, Sony SAB , Sony Ten, Sony Max, Sony MAX 2, Sony PIX and Sony Six.
Along with a wide selection of English, Hindi and regional movies, Sony Liv also has Animax that broadcasts a wide range of Japanese animations (most in original Japanese audio with English subtitles).
Sony Liv consists of regional offerings like the first ever Gujarati web series titled Kacho Papad Pako Papad, an extremely popular multistarer on the platform.[11]
Sony Liv is the first Indian Over-the-top media service platform to produce music content for a Hollywood feature film - producing music for the Hindi version of the blockbuster titled Passengers, starring Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence. The singers for the original soundtrack titled Aaadat included Jubin Nautiyal, Shirley Setia and Raftaar.
After shutting down a linear TV channel on 18 April 2017, Animax was made available exclusively as a digital streaming channel in India from 7 July 2017.
Recently Sony revamped its app and has officially entered the original content space. Platform is also planning to launch international content, including For Life and Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt For The Bone Collector. [12]
Live channels
The network owns 31 channels including Sony Entertainment Television (SET), one of India’s most popular Hindi entertainment channels. The other entertainment channels it owns include Sony PIX, Sony MAX, AXN and Sony SAB. It has a particularly strong sports channel portfolio, comprising 11 channels, such as Sony SIX, Sony ESPN, Sony TEN1, Sony TEN2 and Sony TEN3.[13]
Regularly updated
- Aladdin - Naam Toh Suna Hoga
- Bhakharwadi (TV series)
- Chandragupta Maurya
- C.I.D.
- Super Dancer
- Prithvi Vallabh - Itihaas Bhi, Rahasya Bhi
- Porus
- Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah
- Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai
- Rishta Likhenge Hum Naya
- Tenali Rama
- Beyhadh
- Woh Teri Bhabhi Hai Pagle
- Sajan Re Phir Jhoot Mat Bolo
- Yeh Moh Moh Ke Dhaagey
- Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi
- KBC Season 9
- Sabse Bada Kalakar
- TV, Biwi aur Main
- Parvarrish – Season 2
- Pyaar Ko Ho Jaane Do
- Saheb Biwi Aur Boss
- Lights Camera Kissey
- Power Couple
- Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin
- Sankatmochan Mahabali Hanuman
- Tanlines
- LIVShutter
- #LoveBytes
- Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi...Let's Go
- Police Factory
- Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar
- Yam Hain Hum
- Chhoti Khushi
- Hum Aapke Ghar Mein Rehte Hain
- Adaalat
- Wah Wah Kya Baat Hai
- Comedy Superstar
- Suryaputra Karn
- Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap
- Vighnaharta Ganesha
- Crime Patrol Satark
- Hum Hain Na
- Humsafars
- Itti Si Khushi
- Tum Aise Hi Rehna
- Chidiya Ghar
- Chandrakant Chiplunkar Seedi Bambawala
- F.I.R.
- Baal Veer
- Badi Door Se Aaye Hain
- Gutur Gu 3
- Chintu Pintu
- Family Antakshri
- Yeh Dil Sun Raha Hai
- Piya Basanti Re
- Ek Rishta Aisa Bhi
- Hamari Sister Didi
- Tum Saath Ho Jab Apne
- Singhasan Battisi
- Khushiyon Kii Gullak Aashi
- Simply Baatien With Raveena
- Dil Hai Chota Sa Choti Si Aasha
- Yeh Pyaar Nahi To Kya Hai
Genres
Sony Liv features programming in the following key genres: comedy, crime, drama, horror, action.[14]
Availability
Sony Liv is available in India, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain.[1]
Content partners
Sony Pictures Networks India signed a deal with Times Internet's BoxTV to make its video content available on BoxTV's website. The service will be available to BoxTV users worldwide and DD Free DTH.
Viewership
Sony Liv has reached about 25 million views on a monthly basis on its website, app and YouTube channel.[15]
Platforms
Hardware supported
List of Sony Liv-ready devices:
- Sony Bravia Smart TVs & Sony Xperia Smartphones
- Samsung Smart TVs
Software supported
Supported web browsers by platform:
- KaiOS: Available in JioPhone, installable through Jiostore.
- OS X: An Intel-based Mac with OS 10.4.8 or later. Browsers supported are Safari 4 (or higher), Firefox 5 (or higher) and Google Chrome.
- Microsoft Windows: Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7 running Internet Explorer 8 (or higher), Firefox 2 (or higher) or Google Chrome 6 (or higher).
Windows 8.1 through web browser. Other software options:
- Android Version 2.2 and above
- iOS, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
- Windows Phone
Key features
- Mood Wheel – Content Suggestions based on Mood
- MY Q – Personalized Playlist
- Liv Gurus – Liv's Frequent Flyer Program for Video.
Liv Sports
On 1 June 2014, Sony Pictures Networks India launched LIV Sports, a digital sports entertainment property.
Liv Sports was the official mobile and Internet broadcaster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup starting 12 June. Liv Sports aired both live and video-on-demand match content with statistics and analysis.
It also broadcasts Serie A, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League.
It broadcasts international cricket matches played by Pakistan, Australia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe, Grand Prix motorcycle racing, WWE RAW, Smackdown and other WWE pay-per-view events, UFC and NBA.
After Sony's acquisition of Ten Sports Network, all TEN Sports live programs also began broadcasting on Sony Liv.
SonyLiv Security Flaw
On 20 December 2019, Bengaluru-based security researcher Ehraz Ahmed discovered a security flaw in SonyLiv App that allowed to fetch sensitive user information such as profile picture, email address, date of birth, name, and phone number of its registered users.[16]
See also
- List of original programs distributed by Sony LIV
- Sony Entertainment Television
- SAB TV
- Crackle
- Video on demand
- Digital rights management
References
- "India's SonyLIV launches in the Middle East". Arabian Business. 28 July 2019.
- "sonyliv.com Competitive Analysis, Marketing Mix and Traffic - Alexa". www.alexa.com. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- Deb, Debabrata (15 July 2018). "The ultimate SonyLIV review: Everything you need to know". finder India. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
- Deb, Debabrata (15 July 2018). "The ultimate SonyLIV review: Everything you need to know". finder India. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
- https://www.sonyliv.com/
- "Sony to shift Animax channel to SonyLiv". Indian Television Dot Com. 13 April 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
- "FIFA World Cup 2018 draw: When and where to watch, coverage on TV and live streaming". 1 December 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
- "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Live Online Streaming Available Through Sony LIV Application". 14 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
- "Watch Live Indian TV Channels - Shows and Movies Online | Sling TV". www.sling.com. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- Palermo, Philip (31 May 2020). "Sling TV Adds Sony Pictures Networks India's SonyLIV VOD Service". Cord Cutters News. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- "2017: The year OTTs went regional in India". Indian Television Dot Com. 4 January 2018.
- "SonyLIV enters original content space; plans five shows in two months - Exchange4media". Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
- Deb, Debabrata (15 July 2018). "The ultimate SonyLIV review: Everything you need to know". finder India. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
- "SonyLIV FAQ".
- "Sony to move its video streaming service SonyLIV to a fee-based model". 11 September 2015. Archived from the original on 3 September 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
- "SonyLIV Fixes Flaw That Could Allow Attackers to Fetch User Information". NDTV Gadgets 360. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- "Sony Launches Video on Demand", Business Standard
- "FIFA World Cup 2018 Rights", Business Standard
- Multiscreen Media Launches Liv Sports"", The Hindu Business Line
- "SonyLiv App's popularity rises", Business Standard