Sony to make online platforms fee-based

Multi Screen Media, that operates Sony channels, is betting big on original content for its web version and mobile-based channel, Sony LIV and plans to make these offerings fee-based. The channel will also roll out its first web series on September 7. “The idea is to move to a fee-based subscription model over a period of time and see what content can be <g data-gr-id="13">monetised</g> with advertising and what content can be charged to the customer. “We will have a combination of these two models going forward,” Multi Screen Media executive vice-president and digital platform head Uday Sodhi said. He also said that mobile video segment is the fastest growing segment in the digital space in <g data-gr-id="14">domestic</g> market. “There are enough consumers out there and given the penetration of smartphones and improved bandwidth, we believe digital is now big enough for video consumption,” Sodhi added. On the proposed first web series, to be named Love Bytes, with original content, to be launched from September 7, he said Sony is already one of the leaders in the digital content business.