Sony Pictures Television Networks has decided to leave Africa with its Sony Channel and Sony Max channels that have now also been removed from the Cell C black video streaming service after the channels went dark on MultiChoice's DStv pay-TV platform since November 2018.
The Sony Channel (Cell C black 203) and Sony Max (Cell C black 204) both disappeared from Cell C black's subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service where they remained available as linear TV channels after their removal from DStv.
It means that Sony's channels are now no longer available anywhere in South Africa.
Cell C black didn't release a public statement but was asked for comment on Monday morning about the absence of the Sony channels on its offering.
"We did not release a press statement but informed active subscribers," Ntombi Gama, Cell C black spokesperson told TVwithThinus, noting that Sony Pictures Television Networks (SPTN) decided to exit the African market and that Sony's channels are no longer available anywhere in South Africa.
"Sony Pictures Television Networks has made a decision to exit the African market. This means that their channels are no longer available for broadcast anywhere in South Africa. Sony Max and Sony Channel are therefore no longer available on Cell C black's live TV offering."
"With more than 60 live channels available on Cell C black, including new seasons of Lee Daniels' STAR and The Gifted on FOX Cell C black 201), subscribers still have access to the best entertainment on offer."
TVwithThinus also reached out to Sony Pictures Television on Monday, with Sony Pictures Television Networks that responded by saying "As part of a review of our channel portfolio, we have decided to revise our offering in sub-Saharan Africa".
"We are actively examining other possibilities in the territory and remain excited about future programming opportunities there."