AXN (Indian TV channel)

AXN
CountryIndia
Programming
Picture format
Ownership
OwnerSony Pictures Networks
Sister channels
History
Launched8 January 1999; 25 years ago (1999-01-08)
Closed30 June 2020; 4 years ago (2020-06-30)

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.[2]

The channel's high-definition feed was launched on 6 April 2015,[3] which carried the same schedule as the SD feed but with different commercials.[citation needed]

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.[4]

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.[5] 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.[citation needed]

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.[6]

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,[7] 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

References

  1. ^ Joshi, Namrata (26 October 1998). "Sony to launch India's first genre-based channel, AXN". India Today. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "AXN – reinventing to stay relevant". Indian Television. 28 July 2005. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020.
  3. ^ "AXN unveils HD channel and new programming line-up". exchange4media. 25 March 2015. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020.
  4. ^ "Sony Picture Networks India rebrands AXN". Indian Television. 21 January 2016. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020.
  5. ^ "AXN India and CBS Studios International Announce Multi-Year Television Deal". The Times of India. 29 July 2014. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Niche TV channels go off the air as covid hits ad revenue". Mint. 22 June 2020. Archived from the original on 12 March 2021.
  7. ^ "AXN, AXN HD Will Be Taken Offline June 30, Sony Pictures Networks India Reveals". NDTV. 1 June 2020. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d "The rules of Anime and Manga in Indian market". The Free Press Journal. 20 May 2019.
  9. ^ "AXN to premiere 'BrainDead'; will air back-to-back seasons of 'Madam Secretary'". Indian Television. 1 July 2016.
  10. ^ "AXN India associates with Social to expand its consumer connect with 'Californication'". Adgully. 30 September 2015.
  11. ^ "DOUBLE WHAMMY FOR AXN THIS JUNE WITH CHUCK SEASON 5 AND CSI 13". Indian Television. 10 June 2013.
  12. ^ "American TV series 'Limitless' gets Bollywood touch". Business Standard. 19 February 2016.
  13. ^ a b c d e f "AXN spices up programming line-up with 'AXN Premiere Club' – introduces 7 days, 7 premieres". Indian Television. 8 February 2018.
  14. ^ "24: Live Another Day debuts on AXN starting 9 May". Indian Television. 28 March 2014.
  15. ^ a b "AXN To Embark on a High-pitched Promotion". 30 March 2002. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020.
  16. ^ a b c d e f "'AXN Premiere Club' is back with new stories every day of the week!". Adgully. 29 October 2018.
  17. ^ a b c d e "AXN gives you 5 reasons to look forward to weekdays!". Indian Television. 30 January 2019.
  18. ^ a b ""AXN Asia's ad revenue has grown by over 50 per cent regionwide" says Todd Miller AXN Asia managing director". Indian Television. 2 April 2003. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020.
  19. ^ "Popular crime drama Breaking Bad set to premiere on AXN India, today". India Today. 5 September 2016.
  20. ^ a b c d "Exclusive: We have the best Intl. franchise: AXN India's Sunil Punjabi". Adgully. 25 September 2013. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020.
  21. ^ "AXN Replay". The Times of India. 25 December 2001. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g "AXN rolling out seven new series over next two months". Indian Television. 9 June 2001. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020.
  23. ^ a b "AXN India and CBS Studios International Announce Multi-Year Television". The Times of India. 29 July 2014.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h "English medium". Hindustan Times. 29 May 2012. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020.
  25. ^ a b "AXN celebrates 15 years of broadcasting with 'Shocktober". Adgully. 21 November 2012.
  26. ^ "Dexter is back on TV as a serial killer". The Times of India. 19 December 2016.
  27. ^ "Elementary' to end after season 7". Outlook. 18 December 2018.
  28. ^ a b c d "AXN is India's No.1 English GEC of 2011". exchange4media. 14 January 2012.
  29. ^ "Gossip Girl season 4 set to kick off in India". News18. 23 June 2011.
  30. ^ "AXN set to reign Saturdays with 'Hannibal'". Indian Television. 1 March 2014.
  31. ^ a b c "AXN's 'Fresh from the US' is back with 3 new exciting shows!". Adgully. 19 June 2017.
  32. ^ a b c d e "AXN Programming".
  33. ^ "Levy Tran joins 'MacGyver'". Outlook. 6 February 2019.
  34. ^ "WITNESS A THRILLING OCTOBER WITH THE MOST SPECTACULAR SHOWS ONLY ON AXN". Indian Television. 14 October 2014.
  35. ^ "Crime and punishment". The New Indian Express. 3 August 2019.
  36. ^ a b c "AXN finds a 'Not So Ordinary Weekend' slot as English GEC genre gets hot". 4 August 2014. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020.
  37. ^ a b "AXN gets five new shows to India". 13 January 2014. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020.
  38. ^ "Sherlock is back on AXN". The Times of India. 29 March 2017.
  39. ^ "'Supernatural' enters final season". The Telegraph. 18 October 2020.
  40. ^ a b "Blockbuster year for English entertainment". Indian Television. 12 January 2014. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020.
  41. ^ "Volkswagen drives AXN's 'The Apprentice Asia'". Indian Television. 17 May 2013.
  42. ^ "The Bachelor Australia: AXN India".
  43. ^ a b "AXN is the premier destination for reality shows in India". exchange4media. 23 July 2018.
  44. ^ "Asia's elite men on AXN". The New Indian Express. 9 February 2009. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020.
  45. ^ "Flipping Out (AXN)". 22 May 2019. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020.
  46. ^ "Genius Junior (2018)".
  47. ^ "Glee Project attracts Gleeks from far and wide". DNA. 14 January 2011.
  48. ^ a b c "With fresh content from America, AXN eyeing 30% market". Business Standard. 30 March 2015.
  49. ^ "AXN'S 'MINUTE TO WIN IT INDIA' KICKS OFF ON 12 JANUARY". Indian Television. 11 January 2011. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020.
  50. ^ "AXN to air latest seasons of 'Top Chef'". Indian Television. 31 March 2017.
  51. ^ "It's raining colorful movies and shows this Holi on SPN's English Cluster". Indian Television. 27 February 2018.
  52. ^ "AXN TO KICK OFF 'WIPEOUT' NEXT MONTH". Indian Television. 29 August 2009.
  53. ^ "Under The Dome Season 3 Promo".