Sony:Our focus is on sports, regional business: Andy Kaplan

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has upped its stake in Indian company Multi Screen Media (MSM) to 94% by buying out Indian promoters share for $271 million. Now the company is in talks to take full control by picking up private equity firm Capital International's (CI) remaining 6% stake in MSM.

It is also looking at strengthening its sports, and regional business in India. For regional, while the talks are still on with Hyderabad based Maa TV Network for stake purchase, it is also contemplating on launching channels to grow footprint. In an interview with Gaurav Laghate, SPT president of Worldwide Networks, Andrew (Andy) Kaplan spoke about plans for India. Edited excerpts:

You have increased stake in MSM and now taking 100% control. What changes it will see in the structure? What will be the focus from here on?

We hope to own MSM completely by end of this year, but there will not be any change as we were operating partners since long. Yes, the life becomes much more easier. We see India as a separate unit. It is a very welcoming market.

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