AXN (Indian TV channel) explained

AXN
Owner:Sony Pictures Networks
Country:India

AXN was an Indian pay television channel that was owned by Sony Pictures Networks. Funded through advertising and subscription fees, AXN primarily focused on action genre and reality programming.

History

AXN launched in the Indian subcontinent on 8 January 1999 as a flagship feed of AXN Asia.[1] During the channel's early years it operated as a genre-based network, airing mainly action films, action programmes, action animation and action sports.

Facing tough competition from rival networks Zee Café and Star World and a precipitous decline in the international syndication market for fictional action series and films, the channel shifted in mid-2005 by gradually incorporating more and more drama and comedy based programs into its schedule in order to attract more viewers and replicate the success shows such as Friends (comedy) and Law & Order (drama) had found on other channels. Big acquisitions included 24 and the CSI franchise.

The channel's high-definition feed was launched on 6 April 2015,[2] which carried the same schedule as the SD feed but with different commercials.

Rebranding

The channel underwent a rebranding on 24 January 2016 with the addition of the slogan Live R.E.D standing for Reality, Entertainment and Drama. During the premiering Billions with this transformation, the channel sought to further diversify its portfolio away from its action genre by airing action shows with more intense, smart and unexpected characters.[3]

To further its mission of diversification, the channel forged a multi-year deal with CBS Studios in July 2014, acquiring exclusive broadcast rights to the network's shows in India.[4] The acquisition of the critically acclaimed Hulu original series The Handmaid's Tale for first airing in India also helped greatly in attracting more viewers for the channel and advertising the channel's content.

Closure

The channel's viewership began to gradually decline since early 2019, post the implementation of the new tariff order (NTO) by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India which mandated that channels should not be bundled in packs, leading to a sharp fall in demand for niche channels.

Consequently, on 1 June 2020 Sony Pictures Networks India announced that effective from 30 June 2020 AXN would cease all operations in India for both its SD and HD feeds, with the majority of its programming moving to Sony's SVOD service, Sony Liv,[5] thus ending the channel's existence of 21 years.

Fall in ad revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic and further decline in viewership due to the advent of SVOD platforms in India were also cited as reasons behind the channel's closure.[6]

Programming

AXN primarily aired shows from the U.S. and U.K. (including selected shows produced/distributed by Sony Pictures Television).The following is a list of programming broadcast by the network:

Anime

Comedy-Drama

Drama

Reality

Science fiction

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Joshi. Namrata. 26 October 1998. Sony to launch India's first genre-based channel, AXN. 27 June 2020. India Today.
  2. Web site: 25 March 2015. AXN unveils HD channel and new programming line-up. live. https://archive.today/20200711050806/https://www.exchange4media.com/amp/media-tv-news/axn-unveils-hd-channel-and-new-programming-line-up-59474.html. 11 July 2020. exchange4media.
  3. Web site: 21 January 2016. Sony Picture Networks India rebrands AXN. live. https://archive.today/20200711050248/https://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/english-entertainment/sony-picture-networks-india-rebrands-axn-160121. 11 July 2020. Indian Television.
  4. Web site: 29 July 2014. AXN India and CBS Studios International Announce Multi-Year Television Deal. live. https://archive.today/20200711051011/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/trade-news/hindi/AXN-India-and-CBS-Studios-International-Announce-Multi-Year-Television/articleshow/39224815.cms. 11 July 2020. The Times of India.
  5. Web site: 1 June 2020. AXN, AXN HD Will Be Taken Offline June 30, Sony Pictures Networks India Reveals. live. https://archive.today/20200711052205/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/axn-india-hd-channel-exit-end-june-30-sony-india-pictures-networks-2238648. 11 July 2020. NDTV.
  6. Web site: 22 June 2020. Niche TV channels go off the air as covid hits ad revenue. live. https://archive.today/20210312170611/https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/niche-tv-channels-go-off-the-air-as-covid-hits-ad-revenue-11592844966772.html. 12 March 2021. Mint.
  7. News: 20 May 2019. The rules of Anime and Manga in Indian market. The Free Press Journal.
  8. Web site: 1 July 2016. AXN to premiere 'BrainDead'; will air back-to-back seasons of 'Madam Secretary'. Indian Television.
  9. Web site: 30 September 2015. AXN India associates with Social to expand its consumer connect with 'Californication'. Adgully.
  10. Web site: 10 June 2013. DOUBLE WHAMMY FOR AXN THIS JUNE WITH CHUCK SEASON 5 AND CSI 13. Indian Television.
  11. News: 19 February 2016. American TV series 'Limitless' gets Bollywood touch. Business Standard.
  12. Web site: 28 March 2014. 24: Live Another Day debuts on AXN starting 9 May. Indian Television.
  13. Web site: 30 March 2002. AXN To Embark on a High-pitched Promotion. live. https://archive.today/20200711052606/https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/axn-to-embark-on-a-high-pitched-promotion/40878/. 11 July 2020.
  14. Web site: 30 January 2019. AXN gives you 5 reasons to look forward to weekdays!. Indian Television.
  15. Web site: 2 April 2003. "AXN Asia's ad revenue has grown by over 50 per cent regionwide" says Todd Miller AXN Asia managing director. live. https://archive.today/20200711052824/https://www.indiantelevision.com/interviews/y2k3/executive/toddmiller.htm. 11 July 2020. Indian Television.
  16. Web site: 5 September 2016. Popular crime drama Breaking Bad set to premiere on AXN India, today. India Today.
  17. Web site: 25 December 2001. AXN Replay. live. https://archive.today/20200711053107/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ISI-Disapproved/articleshow/206498303.cms?from=mdr. 11 July 2020. The Times of India.
  18. Web site: 9 June 2001. AXN rolling out seven new series over next two months. live. https://archive.today/20200711053331/https://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k1/june/june8.htm. 11 July 2020. Indian Television.
  19. Web site: 21 November 2012. AXN celebrates 15 years of broadcasting with 'Shocktober. Adgully.
  20. Web site: 19 December 2016. Dexter is back on TV as a serial killer. The Times of India.
  21. Web site: 18 December 2018. Elementary' to end after season 7. Outlook.
  22. Web site: 23 June 2011. Gossip Girl season 4 set to kick off in India. News18.
  23. Web site: 1 March 2014. AXN set to reign Saturdays with 'Hannibal'. Indian Television.
  24. Web site: AXN Programming.
  25. Web site: 6 February 2019. Levy Tran joins 'MacGyver'. Outlook.
  26. Web site: 14 October 2014. WITNESS A THRILLING OCTOBER WITH THE MOST SPECTACULAR SHOWS ONLY ON AXN. Indian Television.
  27. Web site: 3 August 2019. Crime and punishment. The New Indian Express.
  28. Web site: 29 July 2014. AXN India and CBS Studios International Announce Multi-Year Television. The Times of India.
  29. Web site: 29 May 2012. English medium. live. https://archive.today/20200711053930/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/english-medium/story-GgO3ejRM0C2hmFJfJ8vOSK.html. 11 July 2020. Hindustan Times.
  30. Web site: 13 January 2014. AXN gets five new shows to India. live. https://archive.today/20200711054133/https://www.afaqs.com/news/media/39664_axn-gets-five-new-shows-to-india. 11 July 2020.
  31. Web site: 8 February 2018. AXN spices up programming line-up with 'AXN Premiere Club' – introduces 7 days, 7 premieres. Indian Television.
  32. Web site: 29 March 2017. Sherlock is back on AXN. The Times of India.
  33. Web site: 18 October 2020. 'Supernatural' enters final season. The Telegraph.
  34. Web site: 19 June 2017. AXN's 'Fresh from the US' is back with 3 new exciting shows!. Adgully.
  35. Web site: 29 October 2018. 'AXN Premiere Club' is back with new stories every day of the week!. Adgully.
  36. Web site: 17 May 2013. Volkswagen drives AXN's 'The Apprentice Asia'. Indian Television.
  37. Web site: The Bachelor Australia: AXN India.
  38. Web site: 9 February 2009. Asia's elite men on AXN. live. https://archive.today/20200711054338/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/2009/feb/10/asias-elite-men-on-axn-24810.html. 11 July 2020. The New Indian Express.
  39. Web site: 23 July 2018. AXN is the premier destination for reality shows in India. exchange4media.
  40. Web site: 28 July 2005. AXN – reinventing to stay relevant. live. https://archive.today/20200711045757/https://www.indiantelevision.com/special/y2k5/axn.htm. 11 July 2020. Indian Television.
  41. Web site: 22 May 2019. Flipping Out (AXN). live. https://archive.today/20200711054706/https://tvwish.com/Program/Info/Flipping-Out/491023. 11 July 2020.
  42. Web site: Genius Junior (2018).
  43. Web site: AXN is India's No.1 English GEC of 2011. 14 January 2012. exchange4media.
  44. Web site: 14 January 2011. Glee Project attracts Gleeks from far and wide. DNA.
  45. Web site: 25 September 2013. Exclusive: We have the best Intl. franchise: AXN India's Sunil Punjabi. live. https://archive.today/20200711055155/https://www.adgully.com/exclusive-we-have-the-best-intl-franchise-axn-india-s-sunil-punjabi-55614.html. 11 July 2020. Adgully.
  46. Web site: 11 January 2011. AXN'S 'MINUTE TO WIN IT INDIA' KICKS OFF ON 12 JANUARY. live. https://archive.today/20200711055431/https://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k11/jan/jan60.php. 11 July 2020. Indian Television.
  47. Web site: 30 March 2015. With fresh content from America, AXN eyeing 30% market. Business Standard.
  48. Web site: 31 March 2017. AXN to air latest seasons of 'Top Chef'. Indian Television.
  49. Web site: 12 January 2014. Blockbuster year for English entertainment. live. https://archive.today/20200711060451/https://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/english-entertainment/blockbuster-year-for-english-entertainment-140111?amp. 11 July 2020. Indian Television.
  50. Web site: 27 February 2018. It's raining colorful movies and shows this Holi on SPN's English Cluster. Indian Television.
  51. Web site: 29 August 2009. AXN TO KICK OFF 'WIPEOUT' NEXT MONTH. Indian Television.
  52. Web site: 4 August 2014. AXN finds a 'Not So Ordinary Weekend' slot as English GEC genre gets hot. live. https://archive.today/20200711060609/https://bestmediainfo.com/2014/08/axn-finds-a-not-so-ordinary-weekend-slot-as-english-gec-genre-gets-hot/. 11 July 2020.
  53. Web site: Under The Dome Season 3 Promo.

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